Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Shining A Little Light

The 6th Annual High Country Youth Fest

Story by David Brewer

For the second time in less than a month, ASU’s Holmes Convocation Center will be transformed into a positive musical force filled with songs of praise as Son’s Light Ministries hosts its 6th annual High Country Youth Festival on Sunday, September 2.

According to event organizer and Son’s Light Ministries co-founder David Ward, this year’s event is the best yet and features several musical heavy-hitters from the world of contemporary Christian music, including Shane & Shane, Bebo Norman, Seven Miles, Grits, Monk & Neagle and more.

“We’re pumped about it,” said an excited Ward. “This is number six and we’re very blessed to have the artists we have for the festival. We’ve had a lot of calls, so I hope we have a big turnout.”

The festival will get off to a running start on Saturday morning with the 5K SonRun, taking place at the ASU Cross Country Course at State Farm Fields. The run will start at 9:00 a.m.

Following the SonRun, Son’s Light Ministries will host the 3rd annual Stars In His Crown Christian Talent Search on Saturday, September 1. According to Ward, the competition draws artists from well beyond the High Country, including competitors from Virginia and South Carolina.

“This is the third year we’ve done it and it’s really growing,” said Ward. “We want to give everybody the opportunity to share their gifts and talents.”

The talent show will pit eight competitors against each other in two categories—the solo/duet/trio category and the band competition. The grand prize winners will earn a spot on stage at next year’s High Country Youth Fest.

Winners of the 2006 competition Mark Fincher & Jennifer Gray, as well as band Variation 180, will redeem their grand prize from last year’s competition by taking the stage alongside festival headliners during Sunday’s concert.

Sunday’s proceedings at the Holmes Convocation Center will get started outside, weather permitting, at 3:00 p.m. with live music from praise and worship band Consecrated. Jump of Boone will provide inflatable fun to get kids warmed up for the concert.

As music lovers move from the outside concert to their seats, band Ecclesia will perform in the Holmes Center concourse. The main event will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will last until 8:00 p.m.

Though upbeat praise and worship music is still the bread and butter of the artists, the addition of Christian hip-hop artists Grits marks a first for the Youth Festival. Ward also noted that Seven Miles, originally from Morganton, has performed at every High Country Youth Festival since the event’s inception in 2001.

“We do try to have different genres represented so that we can appeal to a large selection of folks,” said Ward.

Giving the message at the concert will be popular youth evangelist Craig Tackett. Tackett travels all year long speaking and leading praise and worship at conferences, camps, retreats, rallies and revivals.

“[Craig] is very popular and is an ‘out of the box’ youth evangelist,” said Ward. “Craig loves the Lord. He has his own style and the kids love it.”

Acting as the event’s MC will be ASU football player Billy Riddle. A high school standout in Davie County, Riddle played safety for the Mountaineers during the last three seasons. According to a story in the Winston-Salem Journal, Riddle will resume mission work in Sudan next month, with plans to begin a nonprofit organization in the ravaged region of Africa.

“Billy’s a special young man,” said Ward. “To give up that spotlight is extremely admirable.”

Other members of ASU’s championship team will be on hand to share their personal testimony with festivalgoers throughout the event.

Out-of-town festivalgoers are encouraged to stay for free at the festival’s campsite located besides Three Rivers Building Supplies on Mack Hampton Road. The primitive site will be open on September 1 and 2 and will include a common campfire site with nightly devotions.

Tickets for Sunday’s event are on sale in advance at the Holmes Center box office for $5. For more info on the 6th annual High Country Youth Festival, click to www.sonslightministries.com or call 828-264-2007.

Son’s Light Ministries Finds a Home

For Son’s Light Ministries founders and High Country Youth Festival organizers Dawn and David Ward, their efforts began with a simple goal: to provide a place where their children could go and enjoy being with friends in a positive environment. Their efforts led to the establishment of a bi-monthly Saturday night evening of fellowship and praise simply known as the Coffee House.

This fall, the Wards will have a permanent location for their organization’s Coffee House events as the couple has secured a storefront location next to Los Arcois on Boone Heights Drive.

In addition to the popular Coffee House functions, the Wards are currently discussing the possibility of adding after-school care at the ministry’s new home. Though no final plans have been made regarding the new facility, the Wards plan to continue relying on local students to help the operation.

“If we didn’t have the students to run and operate the ministry, my wife and I couldn’t do it,” said David Ward. “It’s been a family thing for us.”

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 1 to September 2
Times: SonRun-9:00 a.m./Saturday, Stars In His Crow Talent Search-1:00 p.m. Saturday/Main Event-3:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: State Farm Fields/Living Water Christian Fellowship/Holmes Convocation Center
Cost: $15 for 5K SonRun/$5 for Sunday concert