A Farewell To Creation Fest NW

The year was 2001. The place was the Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA. 

It was my very first year working at Creation Festival NW. 

I couldn't afford the entrance ticket so I signed on to volunteer with my friends Benjamin and Jacqueline. Upon our arrival (3 days before the festival actually started) I discovered that while Ben got to work as Stage Crew and Jacquie got to work in the Office, I was consigned to Individual Camping. At 110 °F and no shade or AC within 10 miles of us, I thought I was going to DIE.

So did half of my crew apparently, as they all bailed out after receiving their festival passes. So my supervisor found himself with just me and one other kid running our area of the campground. For two days I ran like an insane person...showing people their campsites, answering questions, and assisting with traffic direction. I ended up working 10 hour days instead of the 4 that I had signed up for. Why, you ask?

Because I was having a freaking blast.

It was hot, it was exhausting, I was burnt like toast, I was meeting a new person every 30 seconds...and it was AWESOME. I fed off the energy of the thousands of people that I met and had more fun than someone that exhausted should have had.

So I returned the next year, and the year after that, and the year after that...etc. Eventually I was in charge of the Children's Tent and Worship Stage. I got to welcome David Crowder onto my stage well before he was famous, I got to experience the full awesomeness that is Phredd's live show, and over the past 10 years I have worked with thousands of bands, individuals, honey buckets (NOT easy to work with), and my fellow staff.

As a supervisor, I had the opportunity to witness what it means to be a good leader...and a bad one. I encountered people who were determined to climb the ladder of power as well as people who were determined to encourage the people around them to a position of Christ-like leadership. I saw politics at their worst and volunteers at their best. I've worked with bands that need a good spanking and bands that literally brighten up the world around them.

But on July 24th, 2011 I said goodbye for the final time. I said goodbye to a decade of my life. I said goodbye to early morning Honey Bucket runs, adorable petting zoo goats, children's tent dances, merch tent browsing, arguments about KJ-52 Vs. John Rueben...but most of all I said goodbye to people that I have loved for over a third of my life.

One intensely amazing crew...

Fred and Brian discussing how hard-working they are.

Although it is tempting, do NOT feel sorry for Brian...he probably deserved it.

Rona, my very first supervisor...and Fred, one of the best leaders I have ever known

.

I learned early on that the Children's stage was where I was happiest. DC Talk? No way. Switchfoot or Skillet? Yeah right. Phredd, Bigsby, Mark Thompson, Donut Man...etc. THAT was where it was at. One of my favorite moments in ten years was when Mark Thompson, Phredd, and Bigsby got together for "Elmer's Electric Tricycle".

Left to Right: Bigsby, Mark Thompson, and Phredd.

And I never went without my crew. One of my favorite people to camp and hang out with has always been my little sister, Heather. She spent the majority of her time as one of the only girls on Main Stage Crew.

Heather & Bennji...OH THE STORIES. o_0

Heather in the background having more fun than me. ;)

The very first person that I met at Creation Festival was a little teenage punk named Bennji. He was the biggest flirt I had ever met in my life and his personal self-esteem could easily have powered several small countries. I didn't know at the moment that I met him that his family and mine would become rather inseparable. To this day Heather and I ADORE the Favelle's...as twerpy as they may be.

Left to Right: Bennji, Rick, and Timothy Favelle.

Bennji, just prior to shaking his groove thing.

The majority of my time working with Creation was spent at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA.

But in 2010 we moved to the new location in Enumclaw, WA.

2011 was my last year at Creation for several reasons, including the one that trumps all...which is the knowledge that God is moving me on to a new part of my life. But the act of moving on has caused a certain level of grief. I am grieving this loss very much, but I will carry on the memories for my entire life.

Awooga Beep Beep at 5 months pregnant.

Fred, Charity, and Brian. A whole lot of love and a little bit of smart-ass.

Fred, Brian, and I at our collective last day at Creation Festival.

It's been a long, memorable run. It's sad to say goodbye but exciting to look forward. I hope that I have touched at least one life as significantly as my own life has been touched by those that I have worked with. Love you all heaps, rock on.