Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at the Center for Pastoral Leadership – also the location of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries -- on Aug. 4 for The FEST, Northeast Ohio’s largest outdoor Christian music and family festival. The 19th FEST will take place noon to 10 p.m. on the spacious CPL grounds, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Admission is free.
Among the attendees and the 1,400 volunteers who help keep the daylong event running smoothly will be multi-generational families. In fact, “Generations” is the theme of this year’s FEST.
That theme will be incorporated into interactive and reflective stations throughout the festival grounds. The main stage will feature performances by some of Christian music’s top headliners. Jordan Feliz will take the stage at 1:30 p.m., followed by Catholic artist Matt Maher at 3, Tenth Avenue North at 4:30 and Casting Crowns at 6:15. Maher said the highlight of his career was at the 2013 World Youth Day when performed before a crowd of 3 million that included Pope Francis.
A focal point of The FEST will be the 8 p.m. outdoor Mass celebrated by Bishop Nelson Perez. Concelebrants and members of parish choirs from around the diocese will join the bishop for the liturgy, which will be followed by a fireworks display.
Returning to The FEST this year is the popular Marc’s Moms’ Relaxation Station where moms can get a gift bag filled with products to help pamper them. Nearby will be the Man Cave where men can relax, play a game of pool and get tips on how to deepen their faith lives.
The Blessing Tent, seminary tours, outdoor confession area, a petting zoo and interactive areas for children 6 and younger also will return to the family-friendly event.
“The FEST has been blessed to help celebrate and impact a generation of followers of the Lord. We come together each year to celebrate what matters most – faith and family. We use FEST 2019 to reflect on what is most important for us to pass on from one generation to the next – a deeper faith, a better world, a stronger love in Christ our Lord,” said Father Bob Stec, event organizer and pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick.
The FEST roots date back to a celebration conceived by Father Stec to welcome the diocesan contingent home from a trip to Rome for World Youth Day. The first celebration – which drew about 3,000 -- was called “Home from Rome” and Father Stec wanted to keep the momentum, said Louise Formica, part of The FEST Core Team who serves as activity coordinator. Several of her family members, including her late husband, her late mother, her three children and now some of her five grandchildren are among the multi-generational FEST volunteers.
The Garvins are another example of a multi-generational family that continues to volunteer at The FEST. Three generations – and counting – have tackled countless jobs including supplying water and ice, serving as stage hands, building the stage, running stage security, managing golf carts and radios, grounds work, packing moms’ giveaway bags, driving courtesy carts and summer office staff.
“The FEST is a little glimpse of God’s kingdom. All of us come together and build up the City of God. It only happens because of wonderful people working together to create this great day of faith, family and fun – all for free,” Formica said. “And I want to give a big thank-you to those who still help. It’s awesome and fun working with the whole family. We built a community that just kept on growing,” she added.
For information on The FEST, click HERE, visit the Facebook page or follow @the_FEST on Twitter.
