The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Center of Pastoral Leadership hosts The FEST for everyone
Faith-based music festival, The FEST, saw a massive turnout at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, August 4. 2019 marks the nineteenth year that the popular religious music festival has occurred.
Event organizer Father Bob Stenc said that “there’s something for everyone at The FEST,” adding, “there’s a special children’s area that has activities and crafts to help children celebrate and learn the values of faith and family.”
He didn’t have to go it alone. Stenc was supported through contributions made from local sponsors like Marc’s Pharmacy, the Cleveland Indians, and Pierre’s Ice Cream. A wide array of features hallmarked The FEST. Among them, was a “Family Fun Zone”, a “Mom’s Relaxation Station” and a “Man Cave”.
In a recent interview, Stec explained the Cave was going to be a place where there was “going to be a lot of men there to engage the conversation with other guys” over such amenities as iced coffee and billiards games.
Among the Man Cave speakers were former local radio host Trapper Jack, former MMA fighter
David “The Dragon” Nico Hill, and former NFL quarterback Elvis Grbac.
According to Stec, soap manufacturer Soapbox led efforts to “prepare 2,000 boxes of personal care products that will be used to take care of the homeless across our region.”
The event had a large scale music festival atmosphere in both style and size.
Many took in the acts while sitting on blankets spread across a grassy field and hillside.
Travis Milough drove from a suburb just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the event.
He said of his pilgrimage while carting a blue cooler from his parking spot, “I came a few years ago and loved it. I meant to come
back sooner.”
Clara Ganzer didn’t have to travel nearly as far. The Willoughby resident hadn’t planned on attending the music fest.
As she explained, “When it’s free and this big, why not?”
This year’s theme is “Generations of Faith and Family”. Stec said that “all the displays and activities will help us reflect on how we pass on what is best and most important to the next
generation.” He added, “So many people tell us that The FEST is a mini-retreat day for their families. They come as a family, reflect on the blessings of God in their life and go home, inspired and renewed.”
This was further symbolized through the tree saplings that guests were invited to take home with them. The gift, a token of the budding new life event organizers hope to instill on a spiritual level. “The
whole day is about passing on,” Stec said.
Among the main acts that took the stage were Tenth Avenue North, Matt Maher, Jordan Feliz. And headlining act Casting Crowns.
Additionally, Bishop Nelson Perez led those in attendance in an outdoor Mass.
A fireworks display from American Fireworks then capped off a day typified by a similar fusion of celebration and worship.