A Party for the Community
Ryan Stevenson was one of four Christian artists performing at CityFest this past Saturday. Stevenson is a Grammy-nominated recording artist and 1997 graduate of Bonanza High School. (Images: Garrett Steensland)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, an estimated 10,000 people attended the Greater Klamath CityFest at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. Fifty churches and ministries throughout the region came together to celebrate unity, hope, and good news.
“A party for the community,” said the Palau Foundation, organizers of CityFest, in a press release.
The free event showcased Christian artists including the Newsboys, Ryan Stevenson, Marisol Park, and George Moss.
In the works for over a year, CityFest wasn’t just for people with religious backgrounds it was for anyone who wanted a stronger community.
According to the CityFest mission statement, it isn’t just an event, “it’s a movement focused on encouraging, equipping, and empowering the community to love and serve our region through united, long-term efforts focused on the area’s greatest needs.”
The Newsboys finally performed in front of a wildly ecstatic audience after a temporary delay caused by rain and lightning that threatened to shut the rest of the event down.
Whether you came out to the fairgrounds, heard about it from a friend, saw the signs posted throughout the town, or are just now stumbling on this article by chance - CityFest was the talk of the town by many community members this past weekend.
Attendees enjoyed community through positive experiences involving petting zoos, reptile exhibits, face painting, bull riding, bounce houses, gaming tents, BMX and FMX demonstrations, food carts, and the grand finale of Christian concerts.
Author and motivational speaker Andrew Palau also provided a faith-based message of hope.
In 2008, the Palau Foundation created CityFest from the idea that people can work together and build stronger family-oriented communities through a day filled with fun activities for the entire family.
CityFest events have been drawing in thousands of people all over the world and they have been invited to six continents; serving communities in hundreds of cities across the world, and seeing lives changed.
Organizers seek the needs of each individual town they go to. An assortment of local community businesses came forth to offer support and outreach to our communities homeless population. Some services offered included a hot meal, mental health assessments, counseling, employment services, foot massages, haircuts, and dental services – among others.
When discussing the Greater Klamath CityFest turnout, festival director Duffy Johnson said, “The community has really come out. It feels like the whole city has come out.” A final count is still in waiting, but an estimated 10,000 attendees passed through the gates to partake in the festivities.
Before coming to Klamath Falls, CityFest was in San José, Costa Rica last March. The next CityFest will be in Nairobi, Kenya this September.
