By Ryan Berry

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — Contemporary Christian music will return to the Darke County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 21 when the Illumination Festival returns for its 17th year. The festival held its first concert in 2007 and has continued to grow by bringing in some of the top Christian artists. This year’s event will feature a return visit from the legendary Matthew West. West had previously performed at the Illumination Festival in 2016.

Joining West on the main stage this year will be Tasha Layton, Caleb & John, Splat Experience and the regional group, He Knows Our Name.

The goal and mission of the Illumination Festival remains the same as it did when the festival began – bring the church and/or unchurched people to a place where they can enjoy themselves in a Christian atmosphere while beginning and furthering their relationship with Christ.

Although the main stage concert doesn’t begin until 5 p.m., the fairgrounds will be bustling throughout the day with plenty of activities to enjoy. The event kicks off around noon with a mini food truck rally featuring some of your local favorites like Badges BBQ, Bowman’s Concessions, Creme De La Creme Cakery, Heavenly Soft Pretzels, King’s Nuts and Teas, Kono Ice, Mike’s Family Concessions, Taqueria “Luz Tacos”, Pauline’s Filipino Corner, and Cup of Grace Coffee Trailer.

Whether you are coming for the concert or just looking for something to eat for lunch or dinner, please feel free to come to the event and enjoy the activities on the midways throughout the day. There is no charge for parking. In addition to the food vendors, there will be laser tag, rock wall climbing, virtual reality and bounce houses. You can also enjoy local and regional artists on the coffee house stage at no charge. This year’s artists include SNJ Collective at 1 p.m., Layla Capri at 2 p.m. and Jacob Shane & Co. at 3 p.m.

Admission to the Grandstand and the evening’s concert begins at 4 p.m.

West is a five-time GRAMMY®, NSAI’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Year, ASCAP’s 2023 Golden Note Award recipient, and a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner. He has received an American Music Award, Billboard Music Award, K-LOVE Fan Awards, GMA Dove Awards and has been Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. The awards and accolades go on and on. He has recorded 15 studio albums with latest being a double album – My Story Your Glory. It has 22 tracks with the first part sharing West’s story and the many stories fans have shared with him over the year. The second part of the album is his first official worship album.

Layton’s 2021 smash hit “Look What You’ve Done” reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart and earned her recognition as one of the publication’s Top 5 female Christian artists of the year. She has been featured on ABC’s GMA3: What You Need To Know, discussing how past struggles have shaped her life and inspired her music; and Layton served as co-host of the 52nd GMA Dove Awards Pre-Telecast last year. Her six-song holiday EP This Is Christmas bowed in October and her guided prayer journal, “Boundless: Moving Freedom From Your Head To Your Heart,” also released last fall.

New CCM duo Caleb & John are writing their own definition of brotherhood. The two men came to music in completely different ways. They each have created their own distinct sound with joy-fueled, high-energy vocals paired with vibrant musicality all pointing to Jesus. Their music is hopeful and fun.

The Splat Experience also returns to the Illumination Festival. Be inspired as the Splat Experience creates a masterpiece with themed music. The creations always capture the attention of the audience.

New to the main stage at the Illumination Festival is He Knows Our Name. The regional group has performed several times at the festival in the Coffee House.

Tickets are now on sale through itickets.com. Purchase 10 tickets and get $5 off each ticket or buy 20 or more tickets and get $10 off each ticket.

For more information, visit www.illuminationfestival.org.

To contact Daily Advocate Editor Ryan Berry, email [email protected].