Kingdom Bound is an annual
Christian music festival
A Christian music festival (also known as a Jesus music festival or simply a Jesus festival) is a music festival held by the Christian community, in support of performers of Christian music. The festivals are characterized by more than just music; ...
held at
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort near
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York (behind only New York City) and the seat of Erie County. It is at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is across the Canadian border from South ...
. The festival takes place over a span of three days and has hosted a variety of Christian speakers and artists since the late 1980s.
History
Kingdom Bound started out as an idea by two locals from
Buffalo, New York, Fred Caserta, a booking agent and concert promoter, and Mike Caputy, a local musician.
''1980s-'' In 1986, Caserta and Caputy presented a concert featuring Christian artists Sheila Walsh, Russ Taff, and Mylon LeFevre. Following this concert, Caserta and Caputy were approached by Kevin Ketcham, who, at the time, was the Special Events Coordinator for Darien Lake Theme Park, located halfway between Buffalo and
Rochester
Rochester may refer to:
Places Australia
* Rochester, Victoria
Canada
* Rochester, Alberta
United Kingdom
*Rochester, Kent
** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area
** History of Rochester, Kent
** HM Prison ...
, New York. Ketcham presented them with an idea of holding a Christian music day at the theme park, and in October 1987, the Kingdom Bound festival made its debut. Despite chilly, 39 degree atmosphere, approximately 6,000 people showed up to hear the variety of Christian artists and speakers that Caserta and Caputy had put together. The following year, in 1988, the festival was moved from October to the end of August, where it would remain for the next twelve years.
''1990s-'' In 1992, despite heavy rains from
Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew was a very powerful and destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana in August 1992. It is the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Florida in terms of structures damaged ...
, the Kingdom Bound festival was not cancelled. Many still attended the rain soaked event and to this day, the incident became lovingly known among patrons and staff as “Mudfest”.
The following year saw a first for the festival when Kingdom Bound booked three headliners:
Newsboys
Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...
,
dc Talk
DC Talk (stylized as dc Talk) is a Christian hip hop, Christian rap and Christian rock, rock trio. The group was formed at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by tobyMac, Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max, Kevin Max Smith ...
, and
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman (born November 21, 1962) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.
Chapman began his career in the late 1980s as a songwriter and performer of conte ...
. With festival attendance and popularity growing at an incredible rate, Kingdom Bound began booking concerts year round in different cities, bringing in different Christian artists such as
Steve Green and
4Him
4Him was a contemporary Christian group founded in 1990 in Mobile, Alabama, US. The group has ten Dove awards, a Grammy nomination and three certified gold albums to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, follo ...
.
''2000s-''Upon entering the new millennium, Kingdom Bound was moved from Wednesday through Saturday in late August, to Sunday to Wednesday at the beginning of August. The new era also saw the beginning of Kingdom Bound’s website, www.kingdombound.org. In 2004, Kingdom Bound welcomed Enemy Opposition, a ministry that uses
BMX
BMX, an abbreviation for bicycle motocross or bike motocross, is a cycle sport performed on BMX bikes, either in competitive BMX racing or freestyle BMX, or else in general street or off-road recreation.
History
BMX began during the earl ...
,
inline skating
Inline skating is a multi-disciplinary sport and can refer to a number of activities practiced using inline skates. Inline skates typically have two to five polyurethane wheels depending on the style of practice, arranged in a single line by a ...
, and
skateboarding
Skateboarding is an extreme sport, action sport originating in the United States that involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard, as well as a recreational activity, an art form, an entertainment industry Profession, job, and a ...
to present the gospel, to the festival In 2008, Kingdom Bound Ministries partnered with CMS Productions to bring the Christian Music Summit to Buffalo.
Artists/Speakers
![Joel Smallbone](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Joel_Smallbone.jpg)
''Artists have included-''
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when " Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the '' ...
,
Paul Baloche
Paul Joseph Baloche Work ID No. 884337863 ISWC No. T9126089325 ( ; born on June 4, 1962) is an American Christian music artist, worship leader, and singer-songwriter. A native of Maple Shade Township, New Jersey,Price, Deborah Evans. "Higher Grou ...
,
Rebecca St. James,
Skillet
A frying pan, frypan, or skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. It is typically in diameter with relatively low sides that flare outwards, a long handle, and no lid. Larger pans may have a small grab ha ...
,
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio, by Matt Thiessen, Matt Hoopes, and Brian Pittman Board Message during the band members' third year in high school and their time at Malone University. The band is named after ...
,
Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Thomas Camp (born January 12, 1978) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter from Lafayette, Indiana. He has released eleven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold, and two live albums. Camp's original musi ...
,
Nicole C. Mullen
Aileen Nicole Coleman-Mullen, known professionally as Nicole C. Mullen, (born January 3, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and choreographer. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Music career
While studying at Christ for the ...
,
Kutless
Kutless is an American Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released multiple studio albums and one live album, ''Live from Portland''. They have sold over 3 million records worldwide.
H ...
,
Pillar
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression (physical), compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column i ...
,
Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian and Christian rock band started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall, who serves as the band's lead vocalist, as part of a youth group at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida. They lat ...
,
MercyMe
MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul.
The b ...
,
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan (born Kevin Michael McKeehan; October 22, 1964), better known by his stage name TobyMac (styled tobyMac or TOBYMAC), is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was first known f ...
,
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne Tomlin (born May 4, 1972) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas, United States, who has sold over 7 million records. He is a member of Passion Conferences an ...
,
Third Day
Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee (both of whom were the only constant members) and Billy Wilkins. Drummer David Carr was the ...
,
Thousand Foot Krutch
Thousand Foot Krutch (often abbreviated TFK) is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in Peterborough, Ontario, in 1997. The band has released eight studio albums, two live albums, and three remix albums. The band currently consists of foundin ...
,
David Crowder Band
David Crowder Band (stylized as David Crowder*Band and The David Crowder*Band) was a six-piece Christian rock and modern worship band from Waco, Texas. Their final album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian and No. 2 on the B ...
,
Seventh Day Slumber
Seventh Day Slumber is an American Christian rock band from Dallas, Texas formed in 1996. They were an independent band for five years until they signed with BEC Records in 2005. They are best known for their song "Oceans from the Rain" which wa ...
,
Lecrae
Lecrae Devaughn Moore (born October 9, 1979), mononymously known as Lecrae, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.
He is the president, co-owner and co-founder of the ind ...
,
Newsboys
Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...
, and Hillsong United.
''Speakers have included-'' Jay Bakker,
Frank Reich
Frank Michael Reich Jr. (; ; born December 4, 1961) is an American football coach and former quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Maryland a ...
of the Buffalo Bills, Jill Kelly, actors
Kirk Cameron
Kirk Thomas Cameron (born October 12, 1970) is an American actor and evangelist. He first gained fame as a teen actor playing Mike Seaver on the ABC sitcom ''Growing Pains'' (1985–1992), a role for which he was nominated for two Golden Glob ...
and Stephen Baldwin, Dr. Kevin Leman, columnist Cal Thomas,
Nick Vujicic
Nicholas James Vujicic ( ; born 4 December 1982) is an Australian American Christian evangelist and motivational speaker of Serbian descent, born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of arms and legs.
Early ...
, and Wes Aarum.
Activities
![Kingdom Bound Bonfire](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Kingdom_Bound_Bonfire.jpg)
Along with the various Christian speakers and artists, Kingdom Bound has worked hard to provide different activities for its patrons. For example, in the summer of 1996, the festival offered activities such as “Rave in the Cafe”, a single’s coffee house, and nightly Bible studies with Rochester’s Pastor Samme Palermo and in 2014, Kingdom Bound invited artist Tony Goodwin to teach Art & Soul Workshops during the festival. Over the years, the festival has offered, and continues to offer, daily seminars throughout the event, as well as activities specifically geared towards youth such as KB Kidz, geared toward 4-8 year olds, and AMPED for 9-13 year olds. Not only are patrons encouraged to enjoy the activities, but the KB Marketplace as well, which contains a variety of Christian vendors and giveaways.
Stages
''Darien Lake Amphitheatre:''
The Darien Lake Amphitheatre, or “PAC”, took shape in 1993 when for the first time in KB history, the festival booked three headliners. This stage serves as the main stage and continues to be where the headliners play during the festival. Artists that have performed here include
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan (born Kevin Michael McKeehan; October 22, 1964), better known by his stage name TobyMac (styled tobyMac or TOBYMAC), is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was first known f ...
,
Skillet
A frying pan, frypan, or skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. It is typically in diameter with relatively low sides that flare outwards, a long handle, and no lid. Larger pans may have a small grab ha ...
,
Mandisa
Mandisa Lynn Hundley (born October 2, 1976), known professionally as Mandisa, is an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. Her career began as a contestant in the fifth season of ''American Idol'', in which she finished in ...
,
for King & Country, and
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when " Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the '' ...
''The AWAKEN Stage''
Known as the “place for interactivity”, this stage plays host to a variety of acts such as teachings, skits, games, and hard rock or hip-hop Christian artists. Artists that have performed on this stage include
RED
Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondar ...
,
Manic Drive
Manic Drive is a Canadian Christian rock band, formed in 2004 by brothers Michael and Shawn Cavallo. After receiving interest from a record label, they released ''Reason for Motion'' in May 2005. Over the last several years, the band has release ...
,
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is an American rock band that was formed in Middleburg, Florida, in 2003. The band has released five studio albums to date. The current members are Ronnie Winter (lead vocals), Joey Westwood (bass), Josh Burke (lead g ...
,
KB,
Social Club
A social club may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation, or activity. Examples include: book discussion clubs, chess clubs, anime clubs, country clubs, charity work, criminal ...
and many others.
''Worship Tent:''
Added in 1989, this stage has been called “The heart of Kingdom Bound Summer Festival”. Located next to the campground, this tent offers teachings, music, and worship from morning to night all throughout the festival. Worship artists such as
Paul Baloche
Paul Joseph Baloche Work ID No. 884337863 ISWC No. T9126089325 ( ; born on June 4, 1962) is an American Christian music artist, worship leader, and singer-songwriter. A native of Maple Shade Township, New Jersey,Price, Deborah Evans. "Higher Grou ...
,
Robin Mark,
Brothers McClurg and
Rend Collective
Rend Collective (formerly known as Rend Collective Experiment) is a Northern Irish Christian folk rock worship band originating from Bangor, Northern Ireland. The current lineup consists of Gareth Gilkeson, Chris Llewellyn, Ali Gilkeson, Patr ...
have performed on this stage.
![KB camp3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/KB_camp3.jpg)
CAMPING/HOTELS:
During the festival, Kingdom Bound offers all those attending the festival the chance to stay in the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort.
Those attending can also choose to rent a lodge by the lake, rent a cabin, or a bunk house. Patrons are also allowed bring their own trailer/hookup, or choose to camp out in a tent with the campsite rental option.
References
External links
{{official website, http://kingdombound.com/
Christian music festivals