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Third annual GospelFest Saturday

What: Third annual Alcona GospelFest

When: Free concert Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Where: First Baptist Church of Lincoln

LINCOLN — The annual Alcona GospelFest is growing every year, according to organizer Lynn VanderLinde.

The event, which will feature a free public concert Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln, also is a workshop for singers to learn the art of gospel music, she said.

The event was inspired by similar events that take place in different parts of the state, VanderLinde said.

“My aunt participated in the Ann Arbor area gospel fest, and that has been going on for 25 years,” she said.

The difference between a regular gospel music concert and the festival, however, is the singers will begin the day not knowing the songs.

“It’s a workshop with a concert,” she said. “Anyone who likes to sing and can carry a tune is welcome. We have music picked out and we practice all day, and in the evening we give the concert.”

Organizer Will St. John said there is a $10 participation fee for singers, which covers the cost of the printed sheet music, the organization of the event and dinner for the singers.

He said practice will take place beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the church, and continue on until 5 p.m. when dinner is served for the singers.

St. John said one of the reasons Inspiration Alcona is holding the event is to bring a type of singing into Northeast Michigan that many may not have experienced previously.

VanderLinde said the festival has been popular and draws as many as 50 singers, and more than 200 for the free concert. She said she expects more than 50 singers this year and more in the audience as the event grows.

St. John said anyone interested in singing should either sign up by visiting www.inspirationalcona.org or by calling VanderLinde at the Alcona County Library at 724-6796. St. John said he would like as much pre-registration as possible for singers.

He also said although the music is gospel it is not a straight religious event but a cultural one.

“Anyone is welcome from Baptists to non-believers,” he said. “It’s just a concert of music that you’re unlikely to hear around here.”

VanderLinde said for the singers it is a great way to meet new people. She said often the singers start out as strangers and become friends by the end of the event.

“People hear about it and they hear how much fun it is, and they join in,” VanderLinde said. “People should come to the concert too, it’s a lot of fun.”

Jason Ogden can be reached via email at jogden@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693. Follow Jason on Twitter @jo_alpenanews.

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