The calendar reads January but work already is underway behind the scenes to prepare for The FEST 2023, scheduled for Aug. 6 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
The annual one-day event attracts tens of thousands from the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland and beyond for a day of faith, family and fun. FEST organizers have been hard at work for months lining up the bands that will entertain attendees this year. The groups were announced individually over the course of several weeks late last year.
This year’s lineup will feature Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Big Daddy Weave and Katy Nichole. Two of the bands – Camp and Big Daddy Weave – have appeared at previous FESTs. Camp was featured in 2008 and Big Daddy Weave in 2003 and 2018.
Tomlin has 17 No. 1 singles at radio, placed 29 Top Ten hits – more than any other Christian artist – sold more than 12 million albums with 5.6 billion career global streams, earned a Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards, 28 Dove Awards, became a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year honoree and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year.
In 2016, he was one of only four artists to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for more than 1 billion radio streams. In addition, Tomlin is the first Christian artist to reach the billion streams threshold on Pandora, which earned him the Billionaire Award.
Most recently, Tomlin released a new, full-length worship album, “Always,” last fall. His 17th album includes 13 tracks with 12 that he co-wrote.
Camp leads Christian solo artists with 41 No. 1 singles. His 2022 album, “When You Speak,” follows the success of his most recent project, “The Story’s Not Over,” which had three No. 1 radio hits.
Throughout his 18-year career, Camp has sold more than 5 million albums, has a billion streams across streaming services, the most No. 1 singles among solo artists on the Christian Airplay chart, five RIAA Gold Albums and 41 No. 1 radio hits across all formats.
In addition, Camp received a Grammy nomination, three American Music Award nominations, five Dove Awards and four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards.
Big Daddy Weave consists of four members: Mike Weaver – lead vocals and guitar; Jeremy Redmon – guitar and vocals; Joe Shirk – saxophone, keys and vocals; and Brian Beihl – drums. Their testimony is about a deep and personal faith in Jesus, no matter the circumstances.
The group is known for songs that tell personal stories of freedom in Christ.
They have achieved several No. 1 singles, received Song of the Year at the first K-LOVE Fan Awards and earned Dove Award and Billboard Music Award nomination. Their song catalog includes 486 million career on-demand streams and they have sold more than 1.6 million units in album sales, as well as receiving numerous honors including a Dove Award, ASCAP and BMI Awards and the Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award.
Nichole, a Christian musician, songwriter and worship leader, debuted in 2022 with the release of her single “In Jesus Name (God of Possible). The breakthrough hit reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart and Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. Her follow-up song, “God is in This Story” with Big Daddy Weave, also reached No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
In addition, she released her debut self-titled extended play that includes the singles mentioned above. The EP debuted at number seven on the Top Christian Albums chart in the United States.
The FEST, which began in 2000 to welcome home the diocesan delegation from their trip to World Youth Day in Rome, has become a summer staple. Father Bob Stec, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick, launched The FEST when he was diocesan vocations director. He continues to coordinate the event each year with the help of a core team and numerous volunteers.
The family-friendly event includes entertainment, food, games, crafts, giveaways and opportunities for prayer, adoration and confession. Highlight of The FEST is the outdoor closing Mass.
There are volunteer opportunities available before, during and after The FEST. Click here for more information.