We are all as one, voices lifted in song to worship
Are you looking for a music festival that isn’t like any other? One that doesn’t have alcohol or drugs, and that is family-friendly? Then OneFest could be just what you’ve searched for.
OneFest is a Christian music event, that acquired nonprofit status in 2017, by Heather Flashinski, of Cadott. Flashinski was helping out with her church kids’ program, when the youth wanted more exciting music than Jesus Loves Me.
“I was told the teenagers were bored,” laughed Flashinski.
That’s when she started listening to Christian radio, and because she’d always loved Country Fest (now Hoofbeat) and Country Jam, she decided to start her own music fest, filled with Christian artists.
“I just felt like God kept saying, we should have one here,” said Flashinski.
At first, the event was held at the Chippewa County Fairgrounds, for five years, but they eventually outgrew the venue. Now in its seventh year, OneFest is coming just a hop, skip and a jump from Flashinski’s back door, at the Chippewa Valley Music Festival grounds, Aug 1-3.
Although they charge for tickets, camping and vendor fees, for food trucks and merchandise, OneFest relies heavily on sponsorships from 40-50 different entities.
“It’s probably mostly smaller businesses,” said Flashinski. “Artists and production are the biggest expenses.”
There is a stipend paid to Flashinski, and two others, but otherwise, everyone volunteers to make the event happen. There are 75 individuals on the lead team, with 350 volunteers to make it a-go for the event, that saw 7,500 attendees last year.
Each year, Flashinski and her team pick two new featured organizations, with Hope Gospel Mission and Trinity Equestrian Center this year’s selections. The center is bringing mini-horses to show at the grounds, while Hope Gospel is holding an on-site hygiene drive, so toiletry items are requested.
While there’s no alcohol allowed and no drugs, it’s also encouraged to not smoke or do so at an individual’s campsite. You probably won’t find that at other music fests.
“…Ours is so different, because we don’t have anybody doing that stuff,” said Flashinski.
Artists at this year’s event include WE THE KINGDOM, Danny Gokey, Jordan Feliz, The Afters, Emerson Day, Tauren Wells, Big Daddy Weave, Katy Nichole, Joseph Habedank and Eli Gable.
There’s also free admission, Sunday, Aug. 3, with special speaker Rob Roozeboom, for a worship service. OneFest will not ask area churches to shut down, but some of the campers will not make it home in time to attend service or someone who didn’t attend the music fest, might want to check out God’s word.
For a full line-up of artists and activities, visit one-fest. com.
“We really are trying to create an environment that people want to come back and experience it,” said Flashinski. “I just feel it’s my ministry in life, to do this.”
