Today was my first experience with the Ichthus Christian Music Festival. Admittedly, today’s experience was not anordinary Ichthus experience. Ann and I volunteered to work an eight shift. Our work and $20 gets us a pass to all of the event. We will probably only get attend tomorrow evening. My assignment was grounds (garbage detail). There was plenty of garbage to pick-up and in the process I got to see everything but the performances. They say 20,000 + attend and I believe it. There is every conceivable kind of camping gear on site. It is well organized and the crowds seem to be enjoying themselves. The music begins around 11:00am and continues to midnight each day. There are four different stages that cover all the bases for Christian music genres. Had I not been at the festival, someone would have had to tell me that some of the music I heard was “Christian”. I would have never guessed.
I was able to see both the spectators and the back stage areas and some of the performers and crews. I must say that the festival, as well as, Christian music is BIG business. The crowd was definitely “Christian” in it demeanor and appearance, for the most part. Their garbage is without a doubt more holy. There was a really strong emphasis on being environmentally responsible. Recycling was almost mandatory. I realized that when a young woman came up to me with piece of paper the size of a business card and asked if I was recycling paper.
Our shift ended with a bang, literally. A sudden thunderstorm came up with terrific lighting and fierce straight-line winds. The big tent Ann was working in lost a center pole and people panicked, rushing outside only to find themselves in a torrential downpour and lighting. Not a good thing. As far as I could see, no one was injured. Just wet and scared. We made it home fine. Unfortunately there are additional heavy storms continuing tonight,
Our championship little league game this evening was postponed until tomorrow at 4 pm. It is going to be a busy weekend. Grandson Tyler has been here this week and I’ve enjoyed him. He is a good worker and helped me tearing out a basement window that I needed to replace.