The third annual Solid Rock Festival will bring a heavy-rockin’ and holy-rollin’ line-up of Christian musicians to the West Branch Community Center on Saturday.
The event kicks off at noon and will run until 10 p.m. at 1 Irving Lane off West Washington Street in Bradford Township.
National recording artist FLAME, a Christian hip-hop musician, will headline the concert, joined by seven regional bands, including The Grand Day, Lion Hearted, Crown, Will Lowry, Lynn Kuntz, Matt Burt and the Shawn Pierce Band.
FLAME, who grew up in inner city St. Louis, Mo., has released eight albums and been nominated for Grammy, Dove and Stellar awards. He writes, records and co-produces his own work, has founded his own Christian record label — Clear Sight Music — and holds a biblical counseling degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
He is the author of the Christian living guide book “All In.”
Special guest speakers include Dan Williams, Jennifer Kirk, Kiki and Bailey Pretak, plus a couple of surprises, according to organizer Jim Lenaway.
Lenaway said approximately 500 people attended last year, but he expects that number to possibly double this time around.
“Last year, we had a network of about 40 churches that we got the word out to. This year we have expanded that network to around 120 churches,” Lenaway explained.
He said churches from McKean, Potter, Elk, Cameron and Warren counties in Pennsylvania are involved, along with churches from Allegany and Cattaraugus counties in New York state.
“The feedback we’ve been getting is real strong, and it is very encouraging,” Lenaway said. “And, early on, we partnered with a Christian radio station DOVE FM, which is based out of Warren but has translators in Jamestown, N.Y., Bradford and Olean, N.Y. They’ve really been getting the word out for us. So that has been a big help.”
He said this kind of event serves as a way to reach out to people who don’t attend church very much and get them interested in Christianity.
“The difference with an outdoor festival like this is it tends to attract youth and families that may not go to church on a regular basis,” Lenaway said. “So, by offering contemporary Christian music and a festival atmosphere, it tends to attract different folks and provides outreach.”
Plenty of parking is available at the West Branch Community Center, and organizers encourage attendees to “bring the whole family.”
Event organizer Steve Cavallaro suggests bringing lawn chairs, blankets or tarps to sit on. There will be food and beverages available for purchase, but attendees are welcome to bring a cooler with their own snacks and drinks if they desire.
Because this is a family event, no alcohol will be allowed on the premises.
Thrive Youth Group of Open Arms Church will be selling beverages, and Kane Lions Club will be selling cotton candy and other treats. The Solid Rock Festival committee will be doing hot dogs and hamburgers, and the money raised will go toward putting on the festival next year.
“It is going to be a lot of fun,” Lenaway said.
In case of a bad storm, the festival will be held in the Bradford High School auditorium.
For more information, go to facebook.com/SolidRockFest.
