Ichthus Festival

{{short description|Christian music festival in Kentucky}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox music festival | name = Ichthus Festival | image = Ichthusmainstage (cropped).jpg | caption = The main stage at Ichthus 2007 | location = {{unbulleted list|Wilmore, Kentucky (1970–2012)|Kentucky Horse Park (2015)|Wilmore, Kentucky (since 2021)}} | years_active = {{unbulleted list|1970–2015|2021–present}} | founders = Bob Lyon | website = {{unbulleted list|{{URL|http://ichthusfestival.com/}}|{{URL|https://ichthusfest.org}}}} }}

The '''Ichthus Festival''' is a Christian music-focused festival in Wilmore, Kentucky. Held 44 times from 1970 to 2015, the event was originally a Christian-music answer to Woodstock but developed into both the longest-running Christian music festival and a Christian ministry serving tens of thousands of attendees annually. With financial difficulties in the 2010s, the festival left Wilmore after 2012 and put on one last event in 2015 at the Kentucky Horse Park in nearby Lexington, Kentucky. In 2021, the festival was revived in Wilmore.

==History== Professor Bob Lyon was inspired by 1969's Woodstock to create a similar experience for fans of Christian music. In spring 1970, Lyon and some of his students at Asbury Theological Seminary hosted thousands at the first Ichthus Festival at Wilmore Campgrounds in Wilmore, Kentucky. Admission for that first event was {{US$|2.50}} per day, or {{US$|4.00|long=no}} for the weekend (equivalent to ${{inflation|US|2.50|1970|r=2}} and ${{inflation|US|4.00|1970|r=2}} in {{inflation/year|US}}).<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> The name was taken from the {{lang|grc|ichthys}}, a "symbol used by the earliest Christians as a secret sign".<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> Student-run for decades, the festival hired a director in 2000, and spent that decade expanding Ichthus Festival into a greater Christian ministry.<ref name="2009 LHL" />

After Ichthus 2013 was cancelled due to financial problems, it was announced that the 2014 event (September 26–28) would be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in northern Fayette County, Kentucky, as part of Creation Festivals.<ref name="2013-05-08 Jessamine Journal" /> The dates were later changed to June 4–7 before the festival was moved to 2015 entirely (July 8–11) due to the 2013–14 North American winter causing an "unusually high number of snow days" that prevented local students from attending.<ref name="2014-04-12 LHL" /> The 2015 Creation-led Ichthus Festival was that group's last, as they announced on February 4, 2016, that there would be no Ichthus 2016: "We underestimated the time and financial resources necessary to restart this great ministry. So, after much prayerful consideration, Creation Festivals has made the difficult decision that stepping away from Ichthus Festival will be in the best interest for the event and its future."<ref name="2016-02-09 LHL" />

On May 6, 2016, Asbury University announced that it had obtained the rights to the Ichthus Festival name and legacy from Creation Festivals.<ref name="2016-05-06 Asbury" /> Fuse Ministries held a relaunch event of the Ichthus Festival on September 18, 2021, at Servant Heart Farm in Wilmore; 600–700 people attended, and the venue operators—Joe and Cheryl Lycan—said it was a success.<ref name="2021-09-24 Times-Tribune" /> Fuse's festival has continued there annually through 2022.<ref name="2022-09-03 WLEX" />

==Event== thumb|On-stage view of the Deep End Stage at Ichthus 2009 The Wilmore Campgrounds hosted Ichthus Festivals through 1998. Starting in 1999, the festival was held at Ichthus Farm, a {{convert|111|acre|adj=on}} parcel bought specifically for the festival.<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> Fuse Ministries' September 2021 event was scheduled at "Servant Heart Farm in Wilmore, KY [, ...] the location of the festival from 1999 to 2012."<ref name="Fuse: 'Mission'" /> The farm was sold and renamed in 2013.<ref name="2017-09-15 TPS" /> From 2021 through 2024, the festival has been held at Joe and Cheryl Lycan's Servant Heart Farm at 9517 Harrodsburg Road in Wilmore.<ref name="2021-09-24 Times-Tribune" /><ref name="2022-09-03 WLEX" /><ref name="K-Love: 2023 Ichthus" /><ref name="K-Love: 2024 Ichthus" />

For many years, the event was annually scheduled for the last full weekend in April—which in the Bluegrass region meant foul weather: "Ichthus had enough soggy, stormy weekends [...] that it earned nicknames such as Mudthus and Ickythus." In 2005, the festival saw snow, leading then-executive director Jeff James to move the weekend into June, saying, "It's better to be wet and warm than wet and cold."<ref name="2009 LHL" /> In 2008, an all-inclusive weekend ticket cost {{US$|119.00|2008|long=no}}.<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" />

In 1991, the festival saw 11,500 attendees; eight years later that number was 18,000.<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> As of 2009, the five-day, three-stage Ichthus Festival was still attracting 17–20,000 attendees and upwards of 100 musicians and speakers;<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> by 2012, it was the longest-continually-running music festival for Christian music.<ref name="2014-04-12 LHL" /> When relaunched in 2021 by Fuse Ministries, the festival had 600–700 attendees.<ref name="2021-09-24 Times-Tribune" />

==Acts== {{More citations needed|section|date=May 2026}} {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * 7eventh Time Down<ref name="2022-09-03 WLEX" /> * AD<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * The Afters * The Almost<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living" /> * Altar Boys<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Daniel Amos * Anberlin<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living" /> * Apollo LTD<ref name="K-Love: 2023 Ichthus" /> * The Archers * As I Lay Dying * Audio Adrenaline<ref name="2006-06-14 Times-Tribune" /> * The Awakening<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * BarlowGirl<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Margaret Becker * Big Tent Revival<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Bleach<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Rick Bonfim<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Building 429 * Burlap to Cashmere<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Jeremy Camp<ref name="2006-06-14 Times-Tribune" /> * Casting Crowns<ref name="2006-06-14 Times-Tribune" /> * Steven Curtis Chapman<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * The City Harmonic<ref name="2013-05-08 Jessamine Journal" /> * Andraé Crouch<ref name="2009 LHL" /> * David Crowder Band<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Day Of Fire * Demon Hunter * DC Talk<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * DeGarmo and Key<ref name="2009 LHL" /> * Deliverance * Disciple * Esterlyn * Family Force 5<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living" /> * Mark Farner * Fireflight * Five Iron Frenzy * Glenn Kaiser Band * Natalie Grant * GRITS<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Guardian * Charlie Hall * Haste The Day * Hawk Nelson * Hearts of Saints * Hillsong United * Israel Houghton & New Breed * Icon For Hire * The Imperials<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Jars of Clay<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * JJ Weeks Band<ref name="K-Love: 2024 Ichthus" /> * Joy Electric * Phil Keaggy<ref name="2009 LHL" /> * KJ-52 * Kutless * Lecrae<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living" /> * Living Sacrifice * Mylon LeFevre<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Ron and Bill Moore<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Nicole C. Mullen * MxPx * Needtobreathe * New World<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Newsboys<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Norma Jean * Larry Norman<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * O.C. Supertones * Out of Eden<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Twila Paris * Charlie Peacock<ref name="2009 LHL" /> * Petra<ref name="2023-09-26 WKYT" /> * Pillar * P.O.D. * Project 86 * The Rainbeaux<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Red<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living" /> * Matt Redman * Relient K<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Resurrection Band<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News" /> * Sanctus Real<ref name="2022-09-03 WLEX" /> * Selah * Seventh Day Slumber * Sidewalk Prophets * Sixpence None the Richer * Skillet<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Michael W. Smith<ref name="2009 LHL" /> * Rebecca St. James * Ryan Stevenson<ref name="K-Love: 2023 Ichthus" /> * Superchick * Michael Sweet * Switchfoot<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> * Tenth Avenue North * The Letter Black * Third Day * This Beautiful Republic * TobyMac<ref name="2016-02-09 LHL" /> * Thousand Foot Krutch * Chris Tomlin<ref name="2014-04-12 LHL" /> * Tree 63 * Twenty One Pilots<ref name="2011-07-23 Twenty One Pilots" /> * Micah Tyler<ref name="K-Love: 2023 Ichthus" /> * Unspoken<ref name="K-Love: 2024 Ichthus" /> * Sheila Walsh * Matthew West<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living" /> * Whitecross * White Heart<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals" /> {{div col end}}

==References== <references>

<ref name="1999-06 Louisville Music News">{{cite news |last1=Moon |first1=Victoria |date=June 1999 |title=Front and Center: Ichthus Festival |url=http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=50&storyid=3384&headline=Front_&_Center_-_Ichthus_Festival&issueid=124 |url-status=live |work=Louisville Music News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612232605/http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=50&storyid=3384&headline=Front_&_Center_-_Ichthus_Festival&issueid=124 |archive-date=2018-06-12 |access-date=2021-02-15}}</ref>

<ref name="2006-06-14 Times-Tribune">{{cite news |last1=Haggard |first1=Cassi |date=2006-06-14 |title=The Ichthus Experience |url=https://www.thetimestribune.com/community/the-ichthus-experience/article_c6db4682-7a76-5203-bd25-3fa4fcb18422.html |url-status=live |work=The Times-Tribune |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524103603/https://www.thetimestribune.com/community/the-ichthus-experience/article_c6db4682-7a76-5203-bd25-3fa4fcb18422.html |archive-date=2022-05-24 |access-date=2023-08-15}}</ref>

<ref name="2009 LHL">{{cite news |last1=Copley |first1=Rich |year=2009 |title=At 40, Ichthus isn't looking back |url=http://www.kentucky.com/712/story/826913.html |url-status=dead |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |language=en |issn=0745-4260 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614045032/http://www.kentucky.com/712/story/826913.html |archive-date=2009-06-14 |access-date=2020-02-19 |quote=Wilmore festival's past a platform for staying in tune with future}}</ref>

<ref name="2009 Christian Rock Festivals">{{cite book |last1=Robison |first1=Greg |year=2009 |chapter=The Granddaddy of Them All: The Ichthus Festival |title=Christian Rock Festivals |language=en |edition=First |location=New York City |publisher=Rosen Publishing |pages=7–14 |isbn=978-1-4358-5122-1}}</ref>

<ref name="2011-06 Kentucky Living">{{cite magazine |date=June 2011 |title=Christian Rock 'n' Camp |url=https://www.kentuckyliving.com/archives/no-title-2622 |url-status=live |magazine=Kentucky Living |language=en |issue=368 |issn=1043-853X |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815193750/https://www.kentuckyliving.com/archives/no-title-2622 |archive-date=2023-08-15 |access-date=2023-08-15}}</ref>

<ref name="2011-07-23 Twenty One Pilots">{{citation |title=Ichthus Part 01 |work=Regional at Best: The Web Series |number=2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWlPGWeTj-M |via=YouTube |publisher=Twenty One Pilots |date=2011-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523100855/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWlPGWeTj-M |archive-date=2021-05-23}}</ref>

<ref name="2013-05-08 Jessamine Journal">{{cite news |date=2013-05-08 |title=Ichthus music festival to return in 2014 at Kentucky Horse Park |url=http://www.centralkynews.com/jessaminejournal/news/jj-ichthus-music-festival-to-return-in-2014-at-kentucky-horse-park-20130508,0,5064932.story#selection-855.0-855.63 |url-status=dead |work=The Jessamine Journal |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130829194951/http://www.centralkynews.com/jessaminejournal/news/jj-ichthus-music-festival-to-return-in-2014-at-kentucky-horse-park-20130508,0,5064932.story |archive-date=2013-08-29 |access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>

<ref name="2014-04-12 LHL">{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Karla |date=2014-04-12 |title=Planned renewal of Ichthus Festival is called off until 2015 |url=http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article44483865.html |url-status=dead |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |language=en |issn=0745-4260 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613015204/http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article44483865.html |archive-date=2018-06-13 |access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>

<ref name="2016-02-09 LHL">{{cite news |last1=Copley |first1=Rich |date=2016-02-09 |title=Ichthus Festival canceled, again |url=https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/copious-notes/article59319743.html |url-status=live |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |language=en |issn=0745-4260 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612232602/https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/copious-notes/article59319743.html |archive-date=2018-06-12 |access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>

<ref name="2016-05-06 Asbury">{{cite web |url=https://www.asbury.edu/life/news-events/news/2016/05/06/asbury-obtains-rights-to-ichthus-name-and-legacy/ |title=Asbury Obtains Rights to Ichthus Name and Legacy |date=2016-05-06 |publisher=Asbury University |language=en |access-date=2020-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219204033/https://www.asbury.edu/life/news-events/news/2016/05/06/asbury-obtains-rights-to-ichthus-name-and-legacy/ |archive-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>

<ref name="2017-09-15 TPS">{{cite news |last=Kocher |first=Greg |date=2017-09-15 |title=Music festival comes to former Ichthus site |url=https://www.paducahsun.com/faith/music-festival-comes-to-former-ichthus-site/article_3ec182fd-ea66-5333-add4-86d51cb19564.html |work=The Paducah Sun |access-date=2021-07-01 |quote=The last Ichthus Festival was held on the property in 2012. The next year, the farm was sold ... and was renamed Servant Heart Farm.}}</ref>

<ref name="2021-09-24 Times-Tribune">{{cite news |date=2021-09-24 |title=Ichthus return is success, says operator |url=https://www.thetimestribune.com/news/ichthus-return-is-success-says-operator/article_5e21766c-1cc5-11ec-9cb9-3bc5f190b395.html |url-status=live |work=The Times-Tribune |language=en |location=Wilmore, Kentucky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003184248/https://www.thetimestribune.com/news/ichthus-return-is-success-says-operator/article_5e21766c-1cc5-11ec-9cb9-3bc5f190b395.html |archive-date=2021-10-03 |access-date=2021-10-08}}</ref>

<ref name="2022-09-03 WLEX">{{cite news |last1=Palumbo |first1=Jennifer |date=2022-10-21 |title=Ichthus Music Festival returns to Wilmore |url=https://www.lex18.com/community/best-of-the-bluegrass/ichthus-music-festival-returns-to-wilmore |url-status=live |language=en |publisher=WLEX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004212954/https://www.lex18.com/community/best-of-the-bluegrass/ichthus-music-festival-returns-to-wilmore |archive-date=2022-10-04 |access-date=2022-10-21}}</ref>

<ref name="2023-09-26 WKYT">{{cite news |last1=Pendleton |first1=Phil |date=2023-09-26 |title=Iconic Christian rock band to play in Kentucky for 50th-anniversary tour |url=https://www.wkyt.com/2023/09/26/iconic-christian-rock-band-play-kentucky-50th-anniversary-tour/ |url-status=live |language=en |location=Lexington, Kentucky |publisher=WKYT-TV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316170853/https://www.wkyt.com/2023/09/26/iconic-christian-rock-band-play-kentucky-50th-anniversary-tour/ |archive-date=2024-03-16 |access-date=2024-03-16 }}</ref>

<ref name="Fuse: 'Mission'">{{cite web |url=https://www.fuseconcerts.org/ichthus |title=Ichthus Festival Is Coming Back! |publisher=Fuse Ministries |language=en |access-date=2021-07-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701213434/https://www.fuseconcerts.org/ichthus |archive-date=2021-07-01}}</ref>

<ref name="K-Love: 2023 Ichthus">{{cite web |title=Ichthus Festival |url=https://www.klove.com/events/id/94347e37-f806-4b23-867d-6f9300d350e3 |language=en |publisher=K-Love |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714141634/https://www.klove.com/events/id/94347e37-f806-4b23-867d-6f9300d350e3 |archive-date=2025-07-14 |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref>

<ref name="K-Love: 2024 Ichthus">{{cite web |title=Ichthus Music Festival |url=https://www.klove.com/events/id/463ec8cc-a22c-4464-b7cd-064e16af355c |language=en |publisher=K-Love |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714142425/https://www.klove.com/events/id/463ec8cc-a22c-4464-b7cd-064e16af355c |archive-date=2025-07-14 |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref>

</references>

==External links== * {{official website|1=https://ichthusfest.org}}

Category:1970 establishments in Kentucky Category:Asbury Theological Seminary Category:Christian missions Category:Christian music festivals Category:Christianity in Kentucky Category:music festivals established in 1970 Category:music festivals in Kentucky