CELEBRATE FREEDOM 2005

"On Thursday, July 4, 1991 the first ever Celebrate Freedom took place at Williams Square in Las Colinas, Texas. 3,000 people attended the event that day and enjoyed the vocal and instrumental styling of Phil Driscoll. This is the first of what would become the largest single day concert event in America, perhaps the world. As the years passed, the event continued to grow, attracting crowds in excess of 30,000. In 1996, the event was moved to South Fork Ranch (remember the hit T.V. series "DALLAS"?--Janette) in Parker, Texas to accommodate the ever growing and enthusiastic crowds". --Keith T. Nagengast, in the 2005 PROGRAM GUIDE. Yesterday's event marked the 14th annual CELEBRATE FREEDOM, and by one estimate (heard live on 94.9 KLTY while we waited TWO HOURS to exit the parking lot last night) there were between 150,000 to 200,000 people there! Sarah and I were 2 of them. It was our second CELEBRATE FREEDOM, the first one being last year, when Bob, Sarah, Courtney and I went together. The fact that this remains a FREE concert just blows my mind, especially considering the unbelievable line-up of talented Christian Artists!!!! Starting at 9:00 a.m., there were EIGHTEEN Christian artists/bands playing throughout the day. Our day went like this: I slept 'till 9, due to a late night Friday, then bath, haircut at 11:00, lunch at CITY LIMITS in Sherman, arriving at Southfork around 2:00 p.m. I'm not sure who was playing when we got there, but I think it was SHANE & SHANE. Then came SELAH, REBECCA ST.. JAMES, CAEDMON'S CALL, PHILLIPS, CRAIG AND DEAN, NATALIE GRANT, TAIT, TOBY MAC, NICHOLE NORDEMAN, ANA LAURA, AVALON, CASTING CROWNS, and, last but not least, NEWSBOYS. I think it was about 11:00 p.m. when they started. The fireworks display afterwards was the best one I've ever seen, and so close I could almost reach up and touch them...In fact, some of the sparks showered down amongst the crowds around us...Looked like falling stars...BEAUTIFUL!!! Of course, Casting Crowns was the highlight for me, though the young folks really seemed to enjoy the NEWSBOYS' harder, rock style. All-in-all, it was an AWESOME time, and I'm already looking forward to next year's happenin'! Our new 10'x10' First-Up Gazebo was great--easy to set up, and the shade was sooo welcome, as it was hot, hot, hot! We even napped in its' shade part of the afternoon. At 6:00 p.m. all tents & sunshades were taken down, and the partying got serious! It is hard to describe how it feels: To look around you and see that many people, all Christians, all there to worship God...To be a part of that is such a rush! To feel you can leave your camp, and all your STUFF, throughout the day while you wander around, and not worry about it getting stolen...Well, that is pretty nice. To see all the FAMILIES: the very young and the not-so-young, all coming together and enjoying the same music, the same God. Amen, Alleluia! We got home this morning around 4:00--WHEW! Slept 'till 9:00 (again!), bath, Mass at 10:30, then laziness all day--PRAISE GOD FOR SUNDAYS!