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Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Page updated at 02:02 AM

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Freedom Fest is about more than just music, ministry

Times Snohomish County Bureau

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COURTESY OF THE AFTERS

The Afters is one of the bands that will play at Freedom Fest, a Christian music festival taking place this weekend at Stocker Farms near Snohomish.

Enlarge this photo

MICHELLE SMITH-LEWIS

Electric violinist Geoffrey Castle will perform at Freedom Fest. Considered a ministry in itself, the festival is presented by a nonprofit group that relies on volunteers.

Freedom Fest

When: Freedom Fest, a Christian music festival, takes place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Where: Stocker Farms, at Highway 9 and Marsh Road, near Snohomish.

Admission: Single-day passes (color-coded wristbands) at the gate are $13 for youth (age 12 and younger), $25 for adults and $90 per family. Three-day admission is $25 youth, $50 adult and $170 family. Freedom Fest is free for children age 5 and younger.

Bands: Among this year's 50 bands are Seventh Day Slumber, Skillet, Pillar, The Classic Crime, The Afters, The Listening, Temple, violin virtuoso Geoffrey Castle, Christian rap artist Willie Will, the Adam Isaac Band, Souldeep and Steelscape.

Information: 800-965-4673 or www.freedomfest.org.

Camping: Camping available for $15 adult and $40 family. Campers can stay on the grounds until Monday.

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It's an ancient, universal message — told by contemporary voices.

Freedom Fest is a Christian music festival held yearly at the 20-acre Stocker Farms field near Snohomish. Like other outdoor music festivals, it has both locally and nationally known headliners, vendors, food — even sports and kids games.

But you can't miss the prayer tent, inspirational speakers, informational booths and the festival's theme, summed up by a quote from 2 Corinthians: "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Considered a ministry in itself, the fest is presented by a nonprofit organization that relies on about 400 volunteers from dozens of area churches.

"This Freedom Fest is not just music," said Grant Bowles, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Renton. "There's the teaching. It's a great experience. They're trying to minister to entire families. Events like this, you can go and know your kids are going to be safe."

Since 2003, when the festival was established at its current location, it grew to 11,000 attendees in 2006 and this year organizers are projecting 12,500 people, making it the largest Christian music festival in Western Washington.

"Freedom Fest organizers ... see it as a field of dreams," volunteer Will Fifield said. "Festival organizers bring in bands and speakers who share the Gospel through culturally relevant music and personal stories about their lives."

This year's festival features more arts-related experiences, including a Worship Tent where people can experience spirituality through music, dance and visual art.

The Illuminatrium is a new tent, housing an art show by nationally known artists, a mural demonstration by Scott Erickson, art and photography lessons, lectures on video production, and poetry and literary readings and discussions. Professors will discuss the writings of C.S. Lewis and social concerns such as the Darfur crisis.

Many ideas came from the 20 interns brainstorming with festival organizers.

"We're trying to expand the other areas, expressing not just music, but through art," said festival director Don deQuilettes. "We see a revolution among the 18-and-under group; they're really interested in art. It captures people in a new way; instead of hearing the message with your ears, they want to see the message through art."

There's also another expression, a "tagging wall," a 50-foot-long area where kids can express themselves with art. For younger attendees, there are free crafts, inflatable games and performances at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. daily in the children's area.

Diane Wright: 425-745-7815 or dwright@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

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