BY TREVOR KEISER
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Local attorney Dan Harry, along with seven members of the Artist Management LLC talent company, is bringing a new summer Christian Music Festival to the Clarkston Area.
‘We are very excited about our event. We’ve got a lot of it completed already,? said Harry. ‘Other than Pine Knob, it’s probably the biggest event in our area this summer.?
Performers at the Aug. 1-2 festival at Springfield Oaks County Park include: Vickie Winans, Marvin Winans Jr., Tim Bowman, Cassens Murphy Band, The Cavalrymen Quartet, Michael King, and Mike Ridley. Special speaker will be Frank Turner, Channel 7 investigative reporter and news anchor.
‘I expect this to be a multi-cultural, and definitely all inclusive,? said Harry.
‘The entertainers run from gospel to country Christian, Christian rock, the individual folk-bar type, Jazz, so we’re running the gambit. We also have some Christian rappers and some comedians.?
Other events will include fair rides, video arcade, inflatable trampolines, moonwalks plus portraits, face painting, and an arts and crafts show. There will also be food from all around the world as well as traditional carnival food. A 50/50 drawing both days will benefit a church of the winners? choice.
Harry said he wanted to do this event because he felt there was a ‘huge void of this type.?
‘I guess there was a gospel festival the last two years down in Detroit, but southeast Michigan doesn’t have anything like this ? it seemed like a pretty good fit, it seemed like a good direction,? he said.
‘We’ve got 11 agents in our company (Artist Management LLC) and everybody seemed to think it was a good idea, so we started doing some preliminary research and everything looked really good, so we just kept moving forward with it. I wish I could tell you that I have some great inspiration for the ‘big guy? but I don’t.?
They are planning on filling the place up and hoping to draw more than 13,000 people. Harry said he expects attendance to exceed that at the Renaissance Festival, over two days.
Half of the proceeds will go to a foundation to help the elderly and a foundation to help children in need.
‘I believe we could sell more tickets than what we are being allowed to (by the county), but I have no regrets. I’m happy to be able to put on the event, the county is happy to participate, everybody seems happy to be involved,? said Harry. ‘It seems like we’ve come upon a good idea and that feels good in and of itself.?
One-day tickets bought before April 30 is $70 for adult, $25 for children under 12; before July 21, $75/adult, $30/children; Aug. 1-2, $80/adult, $35/children. Two-day tickets, before April 30, $135/adults, $50/children; before July 21, $140/adult, $60/children; Aug. 1-2, $150/adult, $70/children.
To purchase tickets and for more information on the festival, visit www.renewedfaith festival.com.