Unity Christian Music Festival

Unity Christian Music Festival
Statusactive
Genremusic festival
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Muskegon, Michigan
Coordinates43°14′03″N 86°14′54″W / 43.23417°N 86.24833°W / 43.23417; -86.24833
CountryUnited States
Websitewww.unitymusicfestival.com

Unity Christian Music Festival (Unity) is a four-day Christian music festival held annually during the month of August at Heritage Landing[1] in Muskegon, Michigan.[2]

Unity was started in 2001 to bring Christians together for public praise, worship and fellowship; to provide a wholesome, family valued entertainment alternative and to raise funds and recruit volunteers for area Christian ministries. The Festival is presented by Alive on the Lakeshore, an all volunteer group of local Christians who want to present wholesome, Christ centered, family valued entertainment options in West Michigan. Each year, 700 volunteers are part of the festival.[3] The festival is a member of the Christian Festival Association.[4]

Average per day attendance ranges from 9,000 on Thursday to over 20,000 on Saturday. Artists who have played at Unity include Relient K, Hawk Nelson, Anointed, Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore, Petra, Chris Rice, Phil Keaggy, Mark Schultz, Jars of Clay, tobyMac,[5] The Newsboys,[6][7] 4th Point, Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith.

In the past, Unity's parent organization Alive on the Lakeshore presented a smaller festival called Rock the Coast at Michigan's Adventure amusement park.[8]

The 20th festival was deferred to 2021 as officials blamed the COVID-19 pandemic as grounds for 2020's cancellation.[2]

References

  1. ^ Jurczak, Jessica (11 August 2022). "Enjoy family-friendly, uplifting live music this weekend". WOTV NBC - Grand Rapids. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b Frick, Melissa (8 May 2020). "Unity Christian Music Festival canceled this year due to coronavirus". mlive.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. ^ Mills, Jon (2017-08-11). "Terrible weather forces Christian music festival to cancel show for the first time ever". WZZM13 ABC - Grand Rapids. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  4. ^ DeBoer, Terry (11 August 2011). "Switchfoot a crowd favorite at Unity Christian Music Festival". Muskegon Chronicle / MLive. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. ^ Gosselar, Barbara (4 March 2021). "Unity Christian Music Festival continue preparations for summer event". White Lake Beacon. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  6. ^ Bovia, Chris (10 August 2022). "Unity Festival returns to Muskegon". Fox 17 TV - Grand Rapids. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  7. ^ Champion, Brandon. "Newsboys, Switchfoot headline impressive Unity Christian Music Festival lineup". MLive. Muskegon Chronicle. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  8. ^ DeBoer, Terry. "Rock the Coast returns with two days, nights of Christian music, Michigan's Adventure rides". MLive. Muskegon Chronicle. Retrieved 19 April 2023.