ALBEMARLE — There will be no shortage of live music in Stanly County this weekend as a new yearly concert event is putting down its roots in Albemarle.
On Aug. 26, the first-annual Praise-Fest Christian Music Festival is set to be held at the City Lake Park Amphitheater from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with performances beginning at 5 p.m.
The free event at 815 Concord Rd. in Albemarle will feature a selection of Christian artists, including country singer-songwriter Blake Helms and former American Idol contestant Dustin Curlee.
Additionally, the rock trio Return to Sender, Southern gospel band Harwood, praise and worship group Conviction Notice, and guest speaker Charles Sims are also slated to participate in the festival.
Pastor Wilson Moore of Albemarle’s Rekindled Church — also a band member in Conviction Notice — announced the event in a promotional video.
“I’m super excited to announce the first-annual Praise-Fest and that we’re having a Christian music festival in Albemarle, NC, at the lovely City Lake Park,” Moore said. “We want to invite you to come to the most affordable event of the year — it’s free! It starts at 4:30 p.m. We have a great lineup, and we’re looking forward to seeing you.”
“This remarkable event promises to be a celebration of faith, unity, and the power of music, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together in a joyful, uplifting, and unforgettable experience,” a recent festival advertisement stated. “At the Praise-Fest Music Festival, you can expect to be serenaded by an array of talented artists and bands that will harmoniously blend the magic of melodies with the powerful message of faith.”
The festival is designed to be a family-friendly environment and will include dedicated kid zones featuring bounce houses and other activities; the Christian-themed event will also feature personal testimonies as well as moments of reflection and inspiration from local speakers and spiritual leaders.
Along with Rekindled Church, the female-oriented House of Pearls treatment center and male-oriented Ground 40 halfway house are both sponsors for Praise-Fest.
House of Pearls is a Monroe-based non-profit Christian ministry, long-term addiction and cost-free restoration program dedicated to helping women rebuild their lives. Also based in Monroe, Ground 40 is a program designed to help men transition back into the community from homelessness, addiction and incarceration.
More information about the upcoming festival can be found at praise-fest.com and rekindledchurch.com. A sampled selection of the event’s musical acts is available on the “Praise Fest 2023” Spotify playlist page.