Music Festival Day 2

Day 2 of the music festival was even better than the first! And that was despite all the bad weather. We actually left later than we intended for the festival, because Dad and Ben were waiting for our grass to dry before they mowed it that morning. By the time we left, we had missed Gateway Worship, which I really wanted to see.

 

But when we arrived at the festival, we found out that we hadn’t missed them, because they were cut from the program. The start of the festival had been delayed by two hours that morning because the ground was so muddy following the storm the night before. To get back on schedule, they had to cut out a few bands. It made me feel a little bit better that I hadn’t really “missed’ them.

 

We did arrive in time to see the Rhett Walker Band. We really like their song “When Mercy Found Me” and we enjoyed hearing more of their music. They are all definitely proud southerners!



Some of us went down towards the front to get some pictures and be a little closer to the action. :-)

Ben and me enjoying the music.
Photo Credit: Roma.



It was amazing how many people stuck it out at the event despite the mud and rain we had on and off all weekend!
Photo Credit: Roma.

Partway through the Rhett Walker Band’s performance, the skies opened. They started playing “When Mercy Found Me” as their closing song. The wind picked up a LOT, and we kids quickly made our way back up to our blanket. We had memories of a stage collapsing at a Sugarland concert in Indiana a couple years ago, which killed several people that were up close. Obviously, we did NOT want to take any chances!

Trying to stay dry during the last song.

As soon as they finished the song, we were directed to return to our vehicles until the storm passed. Josiah and Dad were already at the car because they had gone up to the bathrooms during the last song. On our way back, we bought some Kettle Corn to snack on while we waited (I’m not sure what that says about our priorities, but I think I’ll leave it alone! :-))

 

The worst of the storm had pretty much passed by the time we got to the car (go figure.) We sat for awhile and watched the radar on Dad’s phone. After about 20 minutes, we got back out. They were still drying off the stage and getting things set back up, so we took the opportunity to go through the merchant and vendor tents.

 



In the music merchandise tent, we got to meet the Rhett Walker Band! They were all really nice and down to earth.
Photo Credit: Betsy.

As we were in one of the tents listening to a sales pitch, I heard “Never Going Back to Ok” come in over the loudspeaker. I panicked a little because the next band ,The Afters, was starting, and of course they would start off with my favorite song! Some of the kids and I rushed back to the main stage while a few others stayed behind.

The Afters were really good, and not too loud, thankfully. :-) We actually met some friends down by the stage and stood together.
Photo Credit: Roma.

One really cool moment during the festival happened while The Afters sang their hit song “Light Up the Sky.” A beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky, just for that song! It was so very appropriate, and was a great reminder that God’s presence was with us.
Photo Credit: Betsy.

Once The Afters finished, we went and got some dinner to eat at one of the concessions stands. Then we split up; Mom went back to the blanket, the boys and Rubia went to do a few of the fun things (bungee jumping, bull riding, and rock-climbing) while Roma and I looked in some of the tents.

 

Ben getting ready to ride the bull.
Photo Credit: Mark.

The Afters were supposed to be giving out autographs around 8:15 p.m. Roma and I saw the sign, and got almost in the front of the line. We waited, and waited, and waited some more. At 9:05 p.m., we finally gave up. The Newsboys were supposed to start at 9:30 p.m., and we did NOT want to miss the start of anymore concerts.

 

After getting wet earlier, poor Josiah was pretty cold as the temperature dropped. He looked quite good in his plastic rain poncho. :-)



We were so excited to see the Newsboys again! This time when we went down to the front, it was packed. We were almost shoulder-to-shoulder with people
Photo Credit: Roma.

Mom took this shot via the big screen. The drummer of the Newsboys is so fun to watch. He really gets a workout by the way he plays!
Photo Credit: Betsy.

Some friends joined us down at the front, and we had a lot of fun together. We got quite a workout too, between jumping and waving our hands in the air! :-)
Photo Credit: Roma.

The concert ended quite late, and we all crashed into bed as soon as we got home, wet, muddy, and sweaty. :-) But we were still excited for more music the next day!

 

To be continued . . .