WINTERSVILLE - What started as a small outreach program four years ago at the Brentwood United Methodist Church has now expanded into an event that caters to hundreds.
Victory in Da Ville, a free Christian festival open to the public, will take place from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 27 at Brentwood United Methodist Church located at 148 Stephens St. off Bantam Ridge Road.
"It's going to be a great event. There's going to be lots of food, music and entertainment for people of all ages," said Ronda Mattern, event chairperson. "It keeps growing every year. We're really looking forward to it."
Entertainment includes performances by several Christian music groups. Kalled Out, a Christian rap group based out of Mingo Junction, will lead the day's performances beginning at 11 a.m.
Shiloh Mountain Trio, a bluegrass group, will perform at noon, followed by The Experience, a praise and worship music group, at 1:15 p.m.
Forerunner, a Christian rock group, will play at 2:30 p.m., and Revelation Praise Band, the church's own music group, will go on at 4 p.m.; The 3:16 Band, a Christian rock band, will perform at 5:15 p.m.; and The Barnhouse Family will complete the day's music performances, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The festival also will include a car show, where people can vote on their favorite car with the winners receiving awards.
Entertainment for the children will include day-long games and prizes. New additions to the the children's entertainment will be Jim Tate the Magic Man and a water slide.
"The kids will have their own section to play in, and they will be supervised all day," Mattern said. "So if parents want to leave their children in the play area and go over to sit and listen to the music in their lawn chairs, they can."
There is no admission fee for the festival, but church members will be collecting canned food to donate to Urban Mission Ministries.
"The food drive is new this year," Mattern said. "We'll be holding a prize drawing every hour, and the ticket for the drawing is the donation of canned food or any non-perishable food items."
"We've tried to increase our turnout and make it bigger each ear without charging anyone for anything," said Pastor Bill Westling. "Everybody comes for nothing. We just want to let people see the church in action and see that Christianity is not a drag. It can be a lot of fun."
And the turnout for the event has been good each year, according to Mattern and Westling.
"It's a growing event. The second year we estimated 800 people, and we anticipate it to continue to grow," Mattern said.
"We went through more food last year than years before, and that also lets us know it's growing. We have the grill going all day, and it's served in cafeteria style. People come and go all day," Westling said.
"We'll have tons of food," Mattern added. "We've got six different kinds of sandwiches, pastas and desserts."
Sandwiches, salads, desserts, snacks and beverages will be served at no charge throughout the day. Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs, but chairs will be set up under a tent, and handicapped parking is available.
T-shirts featuring the festival's emblem will be for sale at the event, with the back of the T-shirts featuring a design created by church member Julie Polsinelli stating "Whatever it Takes."
"We had someone design the Victory in Da Ville emblem," Westling said. "The shield is a shield of faith. The two swords are the swords of the word. 'Victory' would be that you're an overcomer. As a Christian, you can overcome anything."
Westling also noted he hopes the turnout this year will ignite their need to reach another goal the church has in mind.
"Our dream is to eventually get big enough that we'll have to move the festival to one of our local football stadiums," Westling said. "I really think we'll reach that goal."
"Right now we do have a tent where people can relax out of the sun and enjoy the day's events," Mattern said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
"And we have a really cool sound system," Westling added. "Everyone can come and have fun. Everyone is invited."
The public is also invited to attend the June 28 outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. The Barnhouse Family and the Revelation Praise Band will lead the service, and a picnic will be held immediately following the service. For information, call the church at (740) 264-4531 or Mattern at (740) 266-6613.
(Lauttamus may be contacted at bsadler@heraldstaronline.com.)
