Alvin M. Keeling 
Grandpa weaving
Photos provided
By Ryan Berry
DailyAdvocate.com
GREENVILLE — The 2022 Illumination Festival, featuring Big Daddy Weave, Mac Powell (formerly of Third Day) and special guests Riley Clemmons and Attaboy, will be held Sept. 17 at Darke County Fairgrounds.
Although the evening concert is a big part of the event, the Illumination Festival offers plenty of food, fun, and entertainment throughout the day. The event will start at noon halfway. Activities for all ages planned for this year include inflatables, rock climbing, laser tag and games. New this year is mobile virtual reality.
The big trailer that was at the Great Darke County Fair will be back on the fairgrounds to thrill festival-goers. They offer over 100 virtual reality rides. According to their website, you can be bludgeoned by zombies around every corner while staring at your gashed, oozing legs in 180-degree horror vision, or on a trip to Jurassic Park and driving among dinosaurs. You can also explore the outer reaches of space or enjoy a roller coaster ride.
Visitors can also enjoy the Illumination Festival Food Truck Rally with eight excellent food vendors including Badgers BBQ, Mike’s Family Concession, Martins Concessions, Bowman’s Concessions, Heavenly Soft Pretzels, Crème De La Crème Cakery, MBJ Concession and The Kings Nuts & Tea. There will be other vendors and displays from His Truth Ministries, LifeWise Academy and Gideon International.
The annual Illumination Festival Café will begin at 1 p.m. Three incredible regional bands will host the afternoon. Live Past Life will take the stage at 1 p.m. with He Know Our Name at 2 p.m. and B List Boys at 3 p.m.
You don’t have to attend the evening concert to enjoy the festivities throughout the day. However, tickets are still available for the concert in front of the grandstand. The concert starts at 5 p.m. and doors open at 4 p.m. Buy your tickets before the day of the show and save. Churches, groups, and youth pastors can also save money on general admission tickets. Get $5 off each ticket and get one free with the purchase of 10 or more tickets. Tickets are only available on itickets.com.
Illumination is a Christian music festival that brings the best Christian music and activities to the area. Their mission is to bring church and/or non-church people to a place where they can have fun in a Christian atmosphere while beginning or deepening their relationship with Christ.
As in previous years, the Illumination Festival will help kick off the Fish Choice Food Pantry food drive. Bring your canned goods and non-perishables with you to the fairgrounds and drop them in the bucket at the door. This will be your chance to help someone in need.
To contact Ryan Berry, Editor of the Daily Advocate, email [email protected]
