Draft:Hills Alive Festival
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Hills Alive is an annual Christian music festival held in Rapid City, South Dakota. The festival takes place over a weekend in July and features a lineup of Christian contemporary artists, speakers, and activities. It is one of the largest free Christian music festivals in the Midwest and attracts attendees from across the United States.
History
[edit]Hills Alive began in 1985, originally organized by the local Christian radio station KSLT. The goal was to create an event where the community could gather to worship through music and hear positive messages of faith. Over the years, the festival has grown in size, scope, and reputation, becoming a regional staple in the Christian music scene.
In recent years, LifeLight Communications, the organization behind the LifeLight Festival in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has taken on the responsibility of organizing Hills Alive. With this change, the festival was renamed LifeLight Hills Alive. LifeLight, known for hosting large Christian festivals with a mission to "Bringing Light into Darkness" has continued the tradition of offering a high-quality, free event to the region.
Location
[edit]Hills Alive originally started at Hart Ranch, south of Rapid City, 17 years ago. It then moved to Spearfish City Park, where it continued for 10 years, before finding its current home at Memorial Park in downtown Rapid City in 1998. Memorial Park’s open spaces, green areas, and proximity to Rapid Creek provide an ideal setting for the large crowds that gather each year. Festival-goers often bring blankets, chairs, and tents to enjoy the outdoor performances in a family-friendly environment.
Attendance at the two-day festival has historically ranged between 7,000 and 10,000 people, but it now attracts around 20,000 attendees annually.
Artists and Performances
[edit]Over its long history, Hills Alive has hosted many renowned Christian artists and bands. Some of the notable acts that have performed include:
The festival typically features a wide variety of genres within Christian music, from contemporary worship to rock and hip-hop. In addition to main stage performances, Hills Alive often includes a second stage showcasing up-and-coming artists or local talent.
Admission
[edit]One of the unique aspects of Hills Alive is that it is completely free to attend. The festival is funded through donations from attendees, local businesses, and sponsors. Volunteers from the community also play a critical role in ensuring the event runs smoothly.
Community Impact
[edit]Hills Alive is known for fostering a sense of unity and spiritual renewal within the local and regional Christian community. Beyond music, the event offers spaces for prayer, booths from Christian organizations and local ministries, and family-friendly activities such as food vendors, children's zones, and merchandise from the performing artists.
The festival has been praised for its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, drawing people of all ages, backgrounds, and denominations.
Challenges and Adaptations
[edit]Throughout its long history, Hills Alive has faced various challenges, including weather-related disruptions and financial constraints. Despite these hurdles, the event has continued to thrive thanks to strong community support and a commitment to remaining a free experience for all attendees.
In 2002, Hills Alive took a break due to a conflict over fencing off Memorial Park, as the festival was a ticketed event at the time. To resolve this, the festival returned in 2003 under the management of LifeLight Communications, who rebranded it as LifeLight West, establishing the tradition of free admission.
A significant challenge came in 2023 when KSLT announced the cancellation of Hills Alive in September due to logistical and financial difficulties. However, in October 2023, LifeLight Communications stepped in to take over the organization of the festival. By November 2023, it was made public that LifeLight would revive the event under its new management. The festival, rebranded as LifeLight Hills Alive, continued in 2024, staying true to its mission of offering a free, faith-filled event to the region
External Links
[edit]References
[edit]- Hills Alive provides details about the festival, lineup, history, and event updates.
- KSLT was the original organizer of the festival and continues to play a role in promoting it.
- LifeLight Communications now organizes Hills Alive and continues to manage the festival’s growth and free-admission model.
- Various online guides and blogs highlight Hills Alive as a notable event in Christian music festivals.
- Over the years, local news outlets and Christian media platforms have covered Hills Alive, especially during event weekends.