Creation '09 Northwest Wraps Up 12th Year
Creation Northwest concluded four days of music, speakers, fellowship, and camping Saturday at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Wash.
The Christian music festival, which kicked of Wednesday, brought together over 40 top Christian artists from around the world to perform on two stages and an audience of around 20,000.
Though not as large as its older sibling, Creation Northeast, which draws around 70,000 each year, Creation Northwest garnered the same levels of praise and recognition.
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"I loved Creation Northwest," commented attendee Cory French of Pennsylvania. "It was the most impacting time ever and I can't wait for next year."
Especially moving was the candlelighting Friday night, which many touted as the best and most powerful part of the festival.
"[The candelighting] was an awesome sight," remarked Kelley Atkinson of Seattle.
Since hitting the West Coast in 1998, Creation Northwest has been drawing thousands for jam packed days filled with the top musical artists, kids activities, worship tent and more.
Though most attendees hail the festival for the music, organizers point out that the festival – like its east coast counterpart – is about much more than music.
"Creation is also about honoring the Word of God through our speakers and seminars," organizers say.
But most of all, they add, "The Creation Festival is all about changing lives and glorifying our Creator."
The prayer for Creation 09, as it has been for the past 12 years on the west coast and the past 31 years on the east coast, "is that people will be changed, restored, and challenged to serve the Lord and to make a difference in this world."
This year, attendees heard from a number of speakers, including Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Will Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Ron Luce of Teen Mania, and Harry Thomas, co-founder and director of Creation Festival.
Christian music artists this year included Casting Crowns, Relient K, Chris Tomlin, Skillet, David Crowder Band, Hawk Nelson, Kutless, and many more.
Creation Northeast, which is held at the Agape Farm in Mount Union, Pa., took place last month and offered much of what Creation Northwest offered attendees on the West Coast.
In addition to the two large annual festivals, the people behind Creation Festival have put on a number international festivals and domestic mini-festivals, which last year debuted in more than 30 cities across the Northeast, Midwest and South.
The Creation Festival has been recognized twice in CCM Magazine's annual "Readers Choice Awards" as "Favorite Festival." It was also awarded the Gospel Music Association's "Lifetime Achievement Award," an honor that recognizes major contributions to the gospel music industry through a company's commitment to the Christian community for 20 or more years.
