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- Sonshine Festival is a Christian music festival held in Willmar, Minnesota every year, usually the 2nd weekend in July. It was held the 3rd weekend of July in 2008 due to another event at the civic center the 2nd weekend. Sonshine Festival 2008 is scheduled for July 17-19. Sonshine Festival features some of the most popular Christian musical artists in the United States. The festival is a member of the Christian Festival Association. Sonshine Festival has been growing rapidly over the years. Director Bob Poe estimated around 20,000 people would be attending the festival in 2006. He estimated the same number again in 2007. An estimate from 15 years ago is 10,000 people, 2 stages, and 25 artists. In 2007, Sonshine Festival had 6 stages and 150 artists. 2007 Stages consisted of the main stage, the HM Stage, two "showmobiles," (one serving as the "debut stage"), and a stage called "Hip hop in the Big Top. " Sonshine Festival also featured a number of kids' activities in the craft tent and the performance tent. R.O.C.K. Ministries led the activities in the performance tent, which featured music, mime, juggling, balloon sculpting, games, clowns, illusions, and stories. They also taught the kids the basics of juggling and how to shape balloons. Talking about the performance tent, Bob Poe commented, "The place was packed every time, and I think we did about four or five kids’ shows a day. We’ve been doing this long enough that people are coming back with their children. So it has developed into a family event. " Other activities available at Sonshine Festival are a kids' inflatable park, a pancake breakfast, ministry booths, merchandise sales from artists, concession stands and a skateboard park. The skateboard park is free to use. It is set up between the main stage and the high school. Free camping is available at "tent city" for all attendees. Generally more than half of the attendees camp here. Water is provided at no additional cost and there are locations to acquire it all throughout the camping area. People are encouraged to get involved at Sonshine Festival. Praise and worship is a big part of the festivities. Songs like "Awesome God", "Amazing Grace", "Lord I Lift Your Name On High", and "Shout to the Lord" are often sung by the crowds. Another way people get involved is through Compassion International. Each year people sign up to sponsor kids in poor countries by giving money to provide food, clothes, and education for them.
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