The FEST 2019 is history and by all accounts it was a huge success.
Father Bob Stec, event organizer and pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick, and Bishop Nelson Perez welcomed attendees to the 19th FEST Aug. 4 on the grounds of the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. “Generations” was the theme of the daylong festival.
“Let’s thank God for this opportunity and for this beautiful day,” the bishop said as he officially opened Northeast Ohio’s largest outdoor Christian music and family festival.
An estimated 40,000 people of all ages attended the free, family-friendly event. Many were repeat attendees and came prepared for the hot, sunny weather with sunscreen, lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, plenty of water and umbrellas or small pop-up shelters to provide shade. They covered the lawn and the hillside on the spacious CPL campus. Those who parked at the outlying parking areas were shuttled to the CPL and golf carts -- driven by volunteers -- scurried around the grounds assisting vendors, performers and those with mobility issues.
Dozens of police officers and firefighters from Wickliffe and other nearby communities, as well as medical personnel, were on hand to ensure the security and safety of attendees.
Father Stec said the event would not be possible without the support of its sponsors and more than 1,400 volunteers – some of whom are multi-generational, longtime family volunteers -- who helped with dozens of jobs from planning to handling tasks on event day and cleaning up afterwards. Major sponsors included Marc’s, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Sherwood Food Distributors, Barons Bus Lines and Dole.
There was live music from Joe Melendrez, Polite and CFC Church Choir, Jordan Feliz, Catholic artist Matt Maher, Tenth Avenue North and this year’s headliner, Casting Crowns. The crowd danced, swayed and sometimes sang along with the performers.
Highlight of the evening was a Mass celebrated on stage by Bishop Perez. He was assisted by dozens of concelebrating priests from throughout the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Music was provided by musicians and choir members from across the diocese. Maher helped the crowd prepare for Mass by performing as the stage and altar were readied for the liturgy. Once again, a fireworks show followed the Mass to cap off the day.
“The kingdom of God is a gift. It stands the test of time,” the bishop told the crowd during his homily. “Twenty years from now, thousands of people will be at The FEST. They will be here because you were here in this moment, in this year of 2019. You are passing it on. You are passing on our faith.”
The bishop said passing on faith is an act of love and God’s love endures forever. “It doesn’t depend on what you do or don’t do in life,” he said, explaining that what endures are the gifts of life, love and faith. “Remember what you are doing here tonight,” he added.
He told those gathered for Mass that someone gave each of them the gift of faith, which is why they were there. “The lay ministers, the choir, all the thousands of volunteers here – all sharing what has been given to them as a gift. How blessed are we to have this enduring love of God. Tonight we celebrate what is then and what is now; the two components of what endures: faith and family.”
Bishop Perez ended by sharing some of St. John Paul II’s thoughts from World Youth Day, telling the group that it is Jesus they seek when they dream of happiness. “He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you. He is the beauty to which you are so attracted. It is he who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise. It is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life. It is he who reads in your heart your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.”
Throughout the day, FEST attendees could visit vendor booths that lined the perimeter of the festival areas to learn about educational opportunities, vocations, ministry opportunities for people of all ages or to chat with representatives of local businesses about their services. There also was a large tent where people could purchase FEST apparel and gear from this year’s and past events.
Younger visitors could head over to the children’s area to enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, crafts, a petting zoo and other kid-friendly entertainment. An adventure zone featured activities for teens, including archery and gaga ball pits.
Moms were invited to the Marc’s Moms’ Relaxation Station, one of the most popular FEST features. An estimated 250,000 items were given away free. Moms could pick up a gift bag filled with useful items, as well as take advantage of other giveaway stations and beauty spots where they could get things like a manicure. The chair massage tent also did a brisk business.
The nearby Man Cave offered games like pool, mini golf and air hockey, giveaways and speakers including former NFL star Elvis Grbac and radio personality Trapper Jack.
The day’s faith component included a family blessing tent, opportunities for reconciliation throughout the day, the rosary was said every hour, adoration throughout the afternoon, brown scapular information/giveaways throughout the day, healing ministry all day and Take 5 Prayer for Kids every quarter hour. There also were opportunities to tour Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, which are located on the CPL campus. Members of the diocesan vocations office were on hand with information about the priesthood and permanent diaconate, as well as representatives of various religious orders who could answer questions about religious life as a sister, brother or priest.
Plenty of food, water, soft drinks, fresh fruit, snacks and other items were available for purchase throughout the day. Proceeds from food purchases are donated to help keep The FEST free.
There also were several large prizes awarded at the end of the day, including a new Nissan Altima from Bedford Mentor Nissan, a vacation and cash prizes. For a complete list of winners, visit The FEST website, thefest.us.
The FEST will leave a lasting impression, thanks to SoapBox Soaps, which was founded in 2010. Father Stec said Marc’s staffers suggested the company as a way to help care for those in the region who are homeless. FEST attendees could visit the SoapBox tent near the Moms’ Relaxation Station and help prepare a SoapBox kit for the homeless in Akron and Cleveland. The kits will be distributed over the next few months to those in need.
Also, for the fourth year, The FEST is participating in the Warmth Project through its Alpha Village outreach ministry to provide coats, hats, gloves and scarves for needy children and adults in Cleveland. Anyone willing to collect and turn in unneeded new or gently used coats, jackets and winter gear can email warmth@theFEST.us to receive a reminder next month about when items will be collected. Collection information also will be available at alphavillage.us/thewarmthproject.
“Thank you for attending The FEST,” said Father Stec. “This year our prayer is that we will use The FEST to be inspired and renewed so that we can go forth to generate and stir new life, greater faith and a deeper commitment to the values of faith and family. We are the chosen generation. Now is the time to step forward and to share and pass on our faith in Jesus Christ, our love for God and our deepest desire to have families and community centered, rooted and alive in the Lord,” he added.
For more information on The Fest, including how to get involved for next year, click HERE.
