They say there ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost party, and local Christian television station WHMB-TV 40 aims to prove that notion. The broadcasting station is hosting Gospel Music Fest at the Marion County Fair on Father’s Day, June 18, from 3–9 p.m. This year’s event is the second gospel music night to take place during the Marion County Fair, and Curtis Baker, marketing specialist at WHMB-TV 40, says the event has grown substantially.
“Last year we did this with no fanfare, and we started with two gospel choirs. Nobody knew we were doing it, but it got such a great response from the Marion County Fair Board of Directors. They said, ‘Wow, we have never seen anything like that,’ so they asked if we could do it again,” said Baker. “This year, we wanted to do it bigger.”
Baker said many of the TV station’s clients are churches, so he reached out to them to gauge interest. After finding a variety of interested acts, he contacted Kevin Wells of GP Ministries to help organize the event.
At Gospel Music Fest, spirits will be lifted by the sounds of over 20 local acts including The Indiana Gospel Music Association (IGMA), Eastern Star Church and New Life Worship Center. The best part is, Gospel Music Fest is free to attend with $5 admission to the fair.
Hoosiers who miss the live show will have a second opportunity to watch, as WHMB will be recording the festivities and broadcasting them during a television special on Sunday, June 23, at 10:30 p.m. However, Baker notes that watching on television is nothing like witnessing a live show, and that those who come out to the event will be blown away by the talent residing in our city.
“On any given Sunday at any church, large or small, you will see great singers, actors, dancers and solo artists that you will never hear about. We have so much talent here, but for them to get noticed they have to leave Indianapolis if they want anyone to know who they are,” said Baker. “We will run out and stand in line to buy tickets for national stuff, but we don’t support our local groups until they get so huge, and all of a sudden we want to support them. It’s very important that we support our local groups, and we want to make sure we are a platform for them to be able to showcase their talent.”
The fact that this free, family-friendly worship experience takes place at the fair gives attendees the opportunity to check out the midway rides and enjoy their favorite carnival food.
Gospel Music Fest at the Marion County Fair
Sunday, June 18, from 3–9 p.m.
Marion County Fairgrounds Park Stage
7300 E. Troy Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46239
Free with $5 fair admission
For more information on this event or other fair festivities, visit marioncountyfair.org.
SCHEDULED TO PERFORM:
Indiana Gospel Music Association
Schawayna Raie
New B Nation
Youth Choir
Clinton Gardner and Nehemiah
Candice Richey
J. Harris and Spirit of Worship
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Acts da Soja
Broken But Healed
Bruce Anderson IV
Jon Johnson
Dr. Leonard Scott & Rock Community Church
Judah Band
Eastern Star Church
Anutha Phase
Cliff Latham and
Brighter Day
New Life Worship Center
The Williams Singers
