Oak Ridge Boys agree to perform
MUDDY CREEK TWP — Grammy Award winner and adoption advocate Steven Curtis Chapman will be with his family this Father's Day weekend instead of performing at the Moraine Park Summer Festival as was scheduled.
Chapman's 5-year-old daughter was struck and killed in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, Tenn., on May 21.
The Oak Ridge Boys rearranged their schedule just a week prior to the festival to play in Chapman's absence. Their free concert will begin at 7 p.m. Friday.
The multiplatinum selling group is known for its four part harmonies and dozens of gospel and country hits.
Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs will perform a free concert on Sunday.
The three-day festival running from Friday through Sunday will feature nightly messages from author, humanitarian and evangelist Steve Wingfield along with concerts from national recording artists, professional skateboard and strength team demonstrations, professional wrestling, sports competitions, battle of the bands, children's ventriloquist, paint ball battles, motorcycle ride, car cruise and a craft fair.
The festival also offers more music and drama performances, craft and food vendors, family activities and a car cruise. It all takes place at the South Shore at the park and all events are free.
"It provides people with an opportunity to come out and enjoy the park and enjoy some extra added activities," said festival director Dick Lynch.
The event is presented in conjunction with the Steve Wingfield Evangelistic Association, based in Harrisonburg, Va. Wingfield has been organizing evangelistic outreaches such as this festival for more than 24 years, Lynch said.
About 20 churches in Butler County first contacted the Wingfield Association because they wanted to create an evangelical outreach in the community, said festival administrator Adele Duffy.
The number of participating churches now has grown to more than 80, she said. More than 20,000 visitors are expected during the weekend.
"People can come out and enjoy the festival and also hear a message of hope," Duffy said.
Volunteers will direct traffic, and parking will be clearly marked, Duffy said.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to use when watching the performances.
Friday's entertainment starts at 3 p.m. on the festival stage with New Life Christian Worship Band, followed by Soul Food with Sputzy Sparacino at 5:30 p.m. Covenant Life Pantomime will perform between bands.Dennis Agajanian, the world's fastest flat picking guitarist, will open the main stage show at 7 p.m.Speaker, author and evangelist Steve Wingfield will close the night's program.Saturday's entertainment is youth oriented, Lynch said.Lesha Campbell and Friends will perform on the festival stage at 10 a.m. Campbell is a puppeteer and ventriloquist with a program geared toward preschool and early elementary age children.A skateboard demonstration by Untitled Skateboards will be at noon. The Crossfire Band, New Life ChristianPantomime, Once Dead Twice Born drama team, Lynn Badamo, and Jessica Lee with Greg Macaluso will round out the festival stage entertainment.From noon to 5 p.m., there will be inflatable games, a rock climbing wall, Battle of the Bands on the youth stage, sports competitions, balloon animals and children's games.The Family Sports Center will present a children's soccer clinic from 1 to 2 p.m. Team XTtreme will perform feats of strength at 5:30 p.m. on the festival stage.The Christian rock band Manic Drive will take to the main stage at 7 p.m.Sunday's activities kick off with a car cruise from noon to 5 p.m. Other entertainment on the festival stage includes Soul Food featuring Sputzy Sparacino, Once Dead Twice Born drama team, the Butler Tabernacle Singers, the Mary, Joe, and Matt Trio, and Jessica Lee with Greg Macaluso.Sunday Smackdown Wrestling will feature Nikita Koloff, the Russian Avenger; Mr. U. S. A, and others.Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday. Skaggs is primarily known for playing mandolin, first performing with bluegrass legend Bill Monroe at age 6. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has won several Grammys and CMAAwards in addition to other industry accolades.The food and craft marketplace is open from 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday.The only event not at Moraine State Park is the Armageddon: Battle for Salvation paintball scenario, which will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Three Rivers Paintball Park in Freedom. Pre-registration is required.All festival evening events and most others are free and tickets are not necessary. For more information, call 724-431-2397 or send e-mail to moraineparksummerfestival@stevewingfield.org. More information and a schedule are available at the Web site, www.stevewingfield.org.
