Celebrated evangelist the Rev. Franklin Graham will host a free Christian festival that is expected to fill Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium April 2-4.
Graham, the son of legendary preacher Billy Graham, will lead a three-day Christian festival in worship. The group wants to bring a message of peace, love and Jesus Christ.
“His message is not anything political. It’s a message of hope,” said Marla Proffitt, assistant director to the Kern Festival office, of the event’s purpose.
The non-denominational evangelical rally is the only United States appearance this year for Graham. Although he was invited by many communities, he accepted only the Kern County 2004 with Franklin Graham organization’s offer.
Other appearances will be held in Tijuana, Argentina and Nova Scotia.
Although the festival is a family event, its target demographic is a younger generation.
“You’re going to find it to be a little more youthful,” she said during a recent presentation to Rip staffers.
Proffitt said that the total budget of the event will reach $ 2 million, with the Graham organisaztion paying for two-thirds of the cost. One of the biggest expenses has been the rental of BC’s Memorial Stadium, which cost the group $70,000, she said.
The organization consists of 254 local churches, headed by executive co-chairs Mary K. Shell and Warren Carter. It has raised more than $700,000 locally for promotion, supplies and Christian life and witnessing courses, which are teaching more than 7,000 members to be counselors at the festival. Each person is to bring 12 friends or family members to the gathering. People from Bakersfield, as well as Tehachapi, Delano, Shafter and Taft are expected to attend. Memorial Stadium could be filled to capacity, she said.
“We have the potential to have thousands more in the stadium than ever before,” said Proffitt.
The festival will have several bands performing, including Jars of Clay and Ricky Skaggs. Services will be held April 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. April 3 will feature a “Kidz Fest” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with teen services starting at 4 p.m. and worship from 7 to 9 p.m. Activities on April 4 will be limited to a 7 to 9 p.m. finale.