Chuck McCroskey and his family started the countdown to the Alive Music Festival soon after last summer’s event ended, tracking the days on a chalkboard in the kitchen of their home.
McCroskey’s annual road trip to the faith-based event started eight years ago, with his wife Michelle McCroskey and 21-year-old daughter, Olivia McCroskey.
“It is our family vacation every year,” the 51-year-old Big Springs, West Virginia, resident said. “… Some people go to the beach, some people go to Disney but for us … it is and will always be Alive for our vacation every year.”
The McCroskey family will be among the thousands attending the Alive Music Festival July 16 to 18 at Atwood Lake Park near the village of Dellroy in Carroll County, about a 35-minute drive from Canton.
“We don’t just attend for the music, although we love the music,” said McCroskey, a bi-vocational pastor at Smithville Baptist Church and a claims representative for a window company. “It’s the environment, (and) being together with so many believers in worship is incredible.”
“Every year since we started, we have brought someone new with us,” he added. “Some have continued to come and others have not. This year, we have three more new ones coming. We hope we can continue to help grow the festival in that way.”
Worship comes in many different forms at the festival — services, music, guest speakers and activities.
“The festival is uninterrupted worship from time of arrival until departure,” McCroskey said.
Ken Ferguson, who owns the festival with his wife, Susan, said Alive is open to all — believers, those searching for faith, and those attending mostly or purely for the music.
“For Susan and I and the team, we do this because we believe we’re supposed to make spaces for people to enjoy God,” he said.
And “in such a divided world, we need more spaces that people can come together on,” Ferguson said. “… We have every flavor of the Christian faith. There’s literally every denomination and every approach to the Chrisitan faith there, and there’s some people who don’t espouse faith, and they really love the artists on the bill, and we make space for all those people.”
Ferguson also discussed other highlights and what festivalgoers need to know. Here’s a breakdown:
Who’s performing at Alive?
Alive is a melting pot of contemporary Christian music.
Ferguson said he’s pleased to present headliners Skillet and Lauren Daigle, who have both performed at Alive previously. The rock band Skillet and pop artist Daigle also have crossed over into the mainstream. And fellow headliner folk artist Josiah Queen, 23, is a rising star.
“For the young demographic, the high school and college age, (Queen is) literally the biggest thing out there,” Ferguson said of contemporary Christian music.
Skillet performs July 16; Queen July 17; and Daigle July 18. Main stage concerts begin at 4:15 p.m. each day. Headliners take the stage at 9:30 p.m.
Other main stage performers are Ben Fuller, LO Worship, Hulvey, Leanna Crawford, Miles Minnick and Strings & Heart.
There’s also an expansive lineup of music each day on the Woods Stage and Next Gen Stage. More than 40 musical artists will perform at Alive over the three days.
McCroskey and his group enjoy the mix.
“Our daughter and the new guests are big Josiah Queen fans,” he said. “My wife is looking forward to Colton Dixon, and I’m looking forward to We Are Messengers and Passion.”
For a full lineup and concert times, go to www.alive.org/schedule.
Who are the guest speakers?
Guest speakers also are on the schedule.
They include Nobles Darby IV on July 16; Willie Robertson, July 17; Kevin Kazemi, July 18; and Gabe Bogue, July 18.
Darby is Metro Cleveland director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as chaplain of the Cleveland Browns and co-chaplain of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bogue is with Prodigal Young Adult Ministry of the Akron and Kent areas.
Robertson is best known for his role in A&E’s reality television series, “Duck Dynasty” and the reboot, “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.” Kazemi, who was born in Iran and grew up is Sweden, is pastor of Identity Church in Canton.
‘Cool stuff for young people’
Offerings for teens and young adults continue to grow at Alive.
Located near the beach with a stage and massive tent, Next Gen Village is described as a “fun and dynamic hub designed specifically to reach young people” while encouraging them on their faith journey.
New this year is Next Gen Nights, what Ferguson said is an after party following concert headliners. Different nights will feature a bonfire, revival service and “Rave Jesus.”
“It’s a lot of cool stuff for young people to dial into,” he said. “And it’s the future of our event, and it’s engaging young people.”
Youth groups and college students from across the country attend the festival, he said. Activities also include games, paint guns and cornhole, Ferguson said.
But there’s also a place for families and children pre-K through fifth grade at Camp Alive, which is described as a “fresh, family-centered experience designed to strengthen families and guide them on a shared journey toward knowing and loving Jesus more.”
What about vendors and food?
Around 30 food and beverage trucks will cover the gamut of tastes, including Hawaiian soba noodles, homemade ice cream, gourmet burgers, bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, hot honey chicken sandwiches and pizza.
There’s also acai bowls, coffee, milk teas, smoothies, dirty sodas, refreshers, fried egg plant sandwiches and sweet chili tempura cauliflower.
Gluten free and vegetarian options also will be available.
Scores of vendors will be selling goods at The Marketplace in a large tent, including clothing, Alive Festival merchandise, soap and candles, apparel, Christian comic books and jewelry. Organizations also will be in the space, including those dedicated to mental health and Christian writers.
How much do tickets cost, and what’s the demand?
Ticket sales have challenged some big-name artists in the music industry.
Some have canceled tours or downscaled, while superstars like Morgan Wallen and Olivia Rodrigo are surefire sellouts. Rising ticket prices, added fees and inflation have been cited as contributing factors.
“Customers are being super conscious of where they’re spending their money,” Ferguson said.
Alive Music Festival has weathered the concert industry headwinds, however.
Ferguson noted that contemporary Christian music has been trending upward in recent years. And compared to individual concerts, festivals are a more encompassing experience, he said.
Roughly 40% of tickets are sold before any musical acts are announced, Ferguson said of Alive.
“We are super excited at this stage of the cycle,” he said in early July. “We’re likely to have our largest year yet in terms of ticket sales.”
Tickets can be purchased at www.alive.org/tickets, including single day tickets for $74 until July 15 before the price increases to $78, as well as three-day passes for $199 until July 15 before the price increases to $205. Discounts are given for children age 5 to 10. Children age 4 and under attend for free.
Camping reservations also can be purchased, although some sites are sold out. Meet and greet tickets can be purchased, as well, but some artists are sold out.
Standard parking is free, but reserved parking is sold online for $40 per day or $91 for all three days.
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Faith and fun. What to know about the Alive Music Festival in Ohio
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
