The fifth annual GRACEFest, a one-day outdoor music festival, will be held on Saturday, July 19, at the Ledyard Fairgrounds. The festival will run all day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is sponsored by the Council for Christian Arts of New London County, a Christian group whose members have varied roles within the local arts community.
The festival will feature two stages with performances by many local musicians as well as some bands well known in the Christian community.
Stage A will host most of the larger—and louder—bands including Village Voices, the celebrated, faith-based children’s performing group from Ledyard and Gales Ferry; the nationally acclaimed Christian rock band, Echoing Angels; as well as Soul Purpose, Driving Reign, Siloam, and Dave Pettigrew. Performers on Stage B will include smaller bands and soloists such as Brian Bergman, Kevin Shea, and Tisha Duggan.
While faith-based music will be the main focus of the event, an array of other activities have been scheduled as well, including various ministry booths, a number of vendors, craft tables, a large central prayer tent sponsored by the Connecticut House of Prayer, and children’s games such as face painting, balloons, tug-of-war, and sack races. Hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase, and the Portuguese Fisherman will sell fried shrimp, fried dough, French fries, and pizza.
Mark Elliot, the advertising coordinator for the event, said he expects a huge turnout.
“There will be music for all, from quiet, reflective soloists to rock bands,” Elliot said in a statement. “The...Echoing Angels will be the featured headliner and many other local bands and individual artists will be performing. Everyone is welcome. Musicians, crafters, artists, speakers, and others are combining their resources and talents to put on this amazing celebration. There is something for people of all ages, so bring the whole family.”
The Ledyard Fairgrounds are at 740 Colonel Ledyard Highway in Ledyard. Tickets are $5 each or $25 for families of five or more with all proceeds used to defray the cost of the non-profit event. Local churches, ministries, and faith related vendors, crafters, and organizations interested in setting up information booths can contact Corinne at 860-536-8771.