Kingdom Bound 2011--It's a Wrap

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This year's festival is sure to go down in the books as a memorable one. From Kari Jobe, Casting Crowns, Skillet and Chris Tomlin's closing night performance (after the incredibly long rainstorm) and everything in between, this year's festival did not disappoint.
The thing about Kingdom Bound is there is never a dull moment and plenty of options to keep you busy. At any one given time there are 2-5 different events that one wishes they could attend simultaneously. For example, seminars happening simultaneously included Carol McLeod of Just Joy! everyday at 1:30 (for women only) in the FLN Tent while Ryan Loos of RKL Financial talked money in the WDCX Tent. Jeremy Camp performed live and followed that with a line of autograph signings while Delia Knox (recently healed and walking after years in wheelchair)spoke in the Integrity Worship tent and Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales performed live in the FLN tent (OK I admit I love Veggie Tales and so do my kids :)).
Then you had the choice of what afternoon talk show to listen to from 3-6: WDCX's LifeLine with Kurt Goff along with the free Anderson's Ice Cream and Spot Coffee or FLN's Afternoon Show with Sonny Delfyette and Perry's Ice Cream and generic coffee. Both show's featured a host of artist and speaker interviews attracting those who want a closer view of the people behind the music inspiring them. This isn't even taking into account the vastness of Darien Lake's many ride attractions, the vendor tent with all kinds of cool organizations and products to keep you stimulated for hours and the plethora of people you run into from year's past and present.
Kingdom Bound, proclaimed by Chris Tomlin himself at his closing concert (where Kari Jobe also made a surprise guest appearance) Wednesday night is indeed one of the best Christian festivals in the nation and is no doubt a taste of what's to come. For 4 days, Christians from the Northeast United States and beyond take time out of their busy schedule, lay down their denominational walls, theological barriers and place Christ as King and together with nearly 60,000 others rejoice in our hope in Christ, a foreshadowing of eternity. From young to old, Kingdom Bound once again delivered on their promise to proclaim Christ through the arts and have something for everyone.

7 Must See Events at Kingdom Bound 2011 (Countdown)--Chris Tomlin

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Chris Tomlin, writer of numerous hit worship songs will be performing live at this year’s event. If you want a passionate worship experience ushering you into a God encounter, then don’t miss this. Tomlin recently released new hits, And If Our God is For Us and I Will Follow along with classics like How Great is Our God, Indescribable (co-written with Laura Story) and many others. Tomlin will be performing to a likely packed audience for the grand finale concert on Wednesday night at 9:30pm at the PAC stage.

7 Must See Events at Kingdom Bound 2011

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By Kyle Patterson

2011 marks Kingdom Bound’s 25 year anniversary and for this year’s festival they are holding nothing back. Bringing in the top musical talent nationally and locally including Chris Tomlin, Rebecca St. James, Paul Baloche and Brothers McClurg. In addition they have a great speaker lineup including Jim and Jill Kelly, Kevin Leman, Carol McLeod and Tommy Reid. Here are seven recommendations for events not to be missed. As an online feature we will be counting down to the Kingdom Bound with a new "Must See Event" added daily.

1) Enemy Opposition:

Monday-Wednesday on The Blvd. 1-4pm

Enemy Opposition (EO) is a Christian action sports organization made up of a talented group of inline skaters, bmx'ers, flatland bmx'ers, and skateboarders. As a group EO puts on incredible action sports demonstrations of all sizes that people of all ages can enjoy. Enemy Opposition is a ministry first and will be performing extreme sports demos daily on the Blvd. from 1-4pm. Their gravity defying tricks display their talent and they are sure to share the gospel with their viewers. A great way to introduce Christ to those who may not receive the message in the typical church setting. 

Kingdom Bound Celebrates 25 Years

By Mark Weber

 
Kingdom Bound is a Christian music festival and a year-round ministry located in Western New York. While you’d expect something like it in the Bible Belt, for over two decades Kingdom Bound has been going strong in an area not generally known for “born again” Christians. This year, Kingdom Bound celebrates its 25th year of continuous ministry in Western New York.
     Many people have “grown up” with Kingdom Bound, and now bring their own children to ride the rides at Darien Lake, the popular amusement park where its held, as well as to hear inspiring Christian speakers, singers, and bands.

Kingdom Bound Begins
1986-1992
Kingdom Bound started as an idea in the hearts and minds of two people from Buffalo, New York: Fred Caserta, a booking agent and concert promoter, and Mike Caputy, a drummer and evangelist. In 1986, they presented a concert featuring Sheila Walsh, Russ Taff, and Mylon LeFevre. Following this concert, Kevin Ketcham, Special Events Coordinator for Darien Lake Theme Park, in rural Darien Center, New York, halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, presented them with the idea of a Christian music day in the park. The first Kingdom Bound debuted on a chilly October day in 1987. Even though it was 39 degrees, 6,000 people showed up for the three day event, and had a great time in the Lord. Speakers at the first Kingdom Bound included Will McFarlane, Michael Peace, Larry Norman, Rick Cua, and Jeri Barricks. Other notable talents at Kingdom Bound 1987 included Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart, Twila Paris, Steve Taylor, White Heart, and Randy Stonehill. In 1987, a three day pass cost between $24 and $31. After its October debut, Kingdom Bound wisely moved to the end of August for 1988 and many years to follow. In 1989, a children’s ministry, deaf ministry, and the worship tent were added. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Kingdom Bound grew in attendance and scope, welcoming artists like Petra, Margaret Becker, Phil Keaggy, Glad, Carman, Larnelle Harris, Bryan Duncan, John Michael Talbot, Tony Melendez, David Meece, Newsboys, and Wayne Watson. Speakers like Josh McDowell, Dave Roever, Mike Cavanaugh, and Fred “ReRun” Berry (from the show “What’s Happening”) also made appearances. In the early 1990s, during the last weekend of May, Kingdom Bound offered several “Praise” weekends held at Darien Lake. In 1992, the August festival got soaked with rains from Hurricane Andrew. No matter what the weather, Kingdom Bound has always had prayer at the center of the ministry, and many people from all types of backgrounds have “given their lives to Christ” because of this. From the beginning, a communion service and water baptisms have been an integral part of Kingdom Bound.

Kingdom Bound Grows
1993-1999
In 1993, the new Performing Arts Center began to take shape at Six Flags Darien Lake. For the first time ever, Kingdom Bound booked three headliners for the festival: Newsboys, dc Talk, and Steven Curtis Chapman. During the 1990s, Kingdom Bound and Six Flags Darien Lake grew by leaps and bounds. Kingdom Bound became very active in booking concerts year-round in cities such as Buffalo and Rochester, bringing in artists like Steve Green, Michael Sweet, and 4Him. At the summer festival, several artists and speakers making Kingdom Bound appearances during this era included: Ray Boltz, Angelo & Veronica, Charlie Peacock, Acappella, DeGarmo & Key, Babbie Mason, Alvin Slaughter, Anointed, Cindy Morgan, Jars of Clay, Jaci Velasquez, Christafari, Bart Campolo, Ron Luce, Lenny LeBlanc, Audio Adrenaline, Delirious?, Third Day, Darlene Zschech, Ron Kenoly, The Donut Man, family and relationship expert Dr. Kevin Leman, and noted newspaper columnist Cal Thomas. In 1994, a “Sports Experience” included clinics in basketball, soccer, and football, the Buffalo Bills’ Pete Metzelaars and his wife Barb hosted Main Stage events, and Darien Lake added a nightly “Laserlight Fantasy Show.” On June 22, 1996, Kingdom Bound celebrated its 10th year anniversary with a day of prayer and praise at the ballpark in downtown Buffalo. A concert featuring 4Him and First Call followed a Bisons’ baseball game. Also in 1996, the summer festival offered patrons a lot of things to do—you could choose from a “Rave in the Café” with DJ Scott Blackwell, a Singles Coffee House with Testify and Big Wheelie, or a nightly Bible Study with Rochester’s Pastor Samme Palermo, among many other activities. A few times in June during the late 1990s, Kingdom Bound partnered with an Albany radio station to present a one day event called “KB at The Great Escape: Splashwater Kingdom,” at an amusement park in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. In 1999, Kingdom Bound’s theme was “Be Like Jesus,” and there was enough news and information to fill a thick 40-page newspaper given to festival attendees. 1999 was the last year when Kingdom Bound was held at the end of August. In 1999, a four day pass to the festival cost between $51 and $70.

Kingdom Bound’s Golden Age
2000-present
In 2000, Kingdom Bound moved from late August on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule, to early August on a Sunday thru Wednesday schedule.  Fred Caserta wrote in the 2000 program, “Make it a point to get to one of the early morning worship services—it’s the best way to start your morning. Please plan to attend at least one seminar each day. There are a wide variety of topics to minister to all who attend. You can get tapes of the sessions you miss from Eastco Pro Media who will be taping all teaching sessions.” In 2000, Kingdom Bound debuted its Web site, www.kingdombound.org. In March of 2000 and April of 2001, Kingdom Bound mounted a festival in Florida at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, but Kingdom Bound Florida never caught on, and it was decided that the staff would concentrate on Upstate New York, where its offices and strongest connections were. During this era of cell phones, e-mail, and i-Pods, Kingdom Bound continued to grow in size and scope, appealing to more people than ever before. Artists and speakers during this era included: Michael W. Smith, Jay Bakker, Frank Reich of the Buffalo Bills, Selah, ApologetiX, VeggieTales, Reggie Dabbs, Paul Baloche, Robin Mark, The OC Supertones, Cheri Keaggy, Rebecca St. James, Skillet, Relient K, Jason Upton, Sanctus Real, Andrew Carlton, Todd Agnew, Jeremy Camp, Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, Nicole C. Mullen, Kutless, Pillar, Ryan Dobson, Lakita Garth, David Crowder, Seventh Day Slumber, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, and T-Bone. Also during this era, Kirk Cameron, the actor from Growing Pains and the Left Behind films, along with another famous actor, Stephen Baldwin, made numerous festival appearances, talking about their faith in Christ and encouraging young people to get to know God not through a dead religion, but through an intimate relationship. In 2004, Kingdom Bound welcomed members of the Christian Wrestling Federation, as well as BMX bike riders and skateboarders, who demonstrated what they do and also talked openly about their faith with onlookers. Thanks to the efforts of their first professional publicist, Mark Weber, Kingdom Bound received widespread media attention during this era, often being featured in newspapers and magazines, as well as on TV newscasts and interview programs. In 2005, Kingdom Bound attracted 63,000 people over the course of four days. Ticket prices for a four day pass in 2006 were between $80 and $100. During its 20th anniversary year, 2006, Kingdom Bound lost its leader, Fred Caserta, who passed away at the age of 65. His funeral, held at The Tabernacle in Orchard Park, New York, was a joyous affair as hundreds of people in attendance sang along to the songs Fred had chosen for his final event. Amidst tears and smiles, those who spoke at Fred’s funeral remembered how he was always praying with and for people, and how he had such a strong desire to see people come to Christ. Kingdom Bound’s staff, and its hundreds of volunteers and supporters, vowed to carry on Fred’s mission, and, so, Kingdom Bound continues to this day, helping encourage people in their faith journeys, as well as leading those who are lost or hurting to Christ.

Kingdom Bound takes place July 31-August 3, 2011 at Darien Lake. Headliners include Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Skillet and Chris Tomlin. For more info, visit www.kingdombound.org.

--Mark Weber owns and runs BuffaloChristian.com and ChristianMusicDaily.com. He also is a recording artist, with music at WebbaWeb.com.