Springfest in the Valley promises free fun

The saying goes that nothing in life is free — except Springfest in the Valley.

This weekend at the JMU Convocation Center, students, faculty and community members can see several headlining bands and participate in events without paying a cent. The Steve Wingfield Evangelistic Association (SWEA), in conjunction with local businesses and churches, is offering Harrisonburg‘s first Springfest in the Valley cost-free, said SWEA office manager Carol Wyant.

"[The purpose of Springfest is] to reach out to the local community and mid-Shenandoah Valley with the good news of Jesus Christ," said Greg Culbertson, director of communications for SWEA. "And [also] to allow them to be entertained by various groups and hear potentially life-changing words from Steve and others."

Culbertson and Wyant hope to accomplish this goal through several events planned for the weekend. Headlining bands on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights include Jars of Clay, The Crabb Family, Audio Adrenaline, Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson, Kutless and Jaci Velasquez. Other events planned include a concert for children by Psalty & Friends, music by Sky Harbor, Sidewalk Prophets and James Clay and Extreme Day — a battle of the bands, inflatable games, a skateboarding demonstration, games, prizes, a dodgeball tournament and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Local evangelist Steve Wingfield also will speak this weekend, according to Culbertson.
"He has been doing outreaches like this for about 20 years in 14 states and three foreign countries — Jamaica, Kenya and Romania," Culbertson said.

The SWEA hopes to garner a large crowd for the weekend.

"[This event is sponsored by] area businessmen and churches and local individuals from Winchester to Lexington and the area we’re encompassing also includes West Virginia," Wyant said. "We also have youth groups coming from Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. We hope to fill the Convocation Center."

For more information on Springfest in the Valley, go online at www.wingfieldministries.org/.