Lifest

Lifest is an annual Christian music festival that takes place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the Sunnyview Expo Center. Lifest has the slogan "A Party with a Purpose."[1] It is one of the nation's largest Christian music festivals.[2]

Lifest
Crowd at Lifest 2018
GenreChristian music
Datessecond weekend of July
Location(s)Sunnyview Expo Center
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Years active1999–2019, 2021–
Founded byBob Lenz
Websitelifest.com

History

Lifest started as a walk/run in 1990.[3] It became a music festival in 1999, and became five days long for the first time in 2006.[2] Starting in 2013, it was shortened to 4 days. It is held on or around the second weekend of July.[2] In 2013, Lifest had an average of 20,000 attendees per day.[4] As of 2018, Lifest featured around 150 artists on seven stages.[5] The festival is a member of the Christian Festival Association.

The Winnebago County fairgrounds board approved allowing Lifest to build a $750,000 permanent main stage.[6] The stage was built on the site of a stock car racing track which was closed.[6] It was unveiled for the 2018 event.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused officials to scrap Lifest in 2020. It returns in 2021.

Performers and speakers
Matthew West playing in the rain at Lifest 2014
Bob Lenz closing 2014 Lifest

Musically, Lifest has featured a wide range of groups such as Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, Skillet, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman, For King & Country, Matthew West, Family Force 5, Kutless, Downhere, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, FM Static, Sanctus Real, Building 429, Thousand Foot Krutch, 4th Point, Superchick, Matt Redman, The Letter Black, Needtobreathe, Matt Maher and Jimmy Needham. Superchick had their first concert at Lifest;[7] they held at 2016 reunion concert at the venue.[8]

Lifest also has speakers[2] and seminars as an integral part of the festival. Speakers have included founder Bob Lenz, Luis Palau, John Ortberg, Tony Campolo, Scott Spencer, Ken Davis, and many more.

Lifest has approximately 3000 primitive and electric campsites available. Activities include dodgeball, 5K Fun Run, volleyball, inflatable games, prayer journey and KidZone. Lifest is run by Life Promotions[9] and requires over 1000 volunteers.[10]

References
  1. "Lifest Gets Ready to Open". Northwestern Media. Oshkosh Northwestern. July 5, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  2. Loohauis-Bennett, Jackie (February 6, 2012). "Lifest announces Christian music headliners". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  3. "Lifest Announces New Additions to Summer Music Festival". 24-7 Press Release Newswire.
  4. "Lifest Christian music festival in Oshkosh starts today". WFRV. 7 July 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  5. "Lifest". TravelWisconsin. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  6. Zimmerman, Jason. "Lifest to expand, as race track's future in Oshkosh now in doubt". WBAY-TV. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  7. "Superchick Facebook post". Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  8. "Reunion Show!". Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  9. Girl's death casts somber tone over last day of Lifest; Bethany K. Warner; July 15, 2007 Green Bay Press-Gazette, Retrieved July 15, 2007
  10. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-05-16. Retrieved 2006-05-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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