Hills Alive free summer music festival is July 15-17

Hills Alive will kick off their 36th annual year July 15-17. Haley Powell, Hills Alive Director, says, “We’ve only had two years that it didn’t happen. And the 38 years that Hill’s Alive began in 1985, you know, this is our 20th year ticket free. So this is free for all families, for people to bring their friends. You can bring your own food and drink if you want to do that. You set up your lawn chairs. There’s a place even for 10×10 tents if you want to set those up in the park. And it’s just a great family weekend.”

Powell explains, “We have a lot of great artists. We’re having a double headliner night on Sunday. We’re having Jeremy Camp and then Skillet with We Are Messengers pre-headlining and then we’re bringing in Mack Powell on Saturday with Jordan Feliz, who is going to be headlining on Saturday.”

Powell says that it is important for attenders to stay cool. “We do have a first aid area on site just in case, but you know, make sure you’re watching the kiddos and keeping them safe as well.”

The festival is at Memorial Park and is open to everybody. She also says that you will want to bring blankets and lawn chairs. You are also free to bring coolers.

The family friendly event will kick off at Main Street Square on Friday night featuring a few of the artists that will be performing on Saturday at Memorial Park. Main Street Square is also free and you will want to bring lawn chairs to enjoy some great music.

This year, Hills Alive will also have entertainment for youth. “It’s called Nine Square in the Air and Gaga Ball. So it’s a couple of games that we’re actually putting on. We also have a skateboard, of course. Black Hills Adventure Tours is doing the stuff on the lake, so they’re doing demos on the lake.”

Powell also explains that there will be both retail and food vendors on site. “We’ve got our merch tent. We’ve got awesome food vendors, awesome retail vendors, nonprofit vendors and some really great bands this year.”

KSLT began Hills Alive. Powell describes the legacy, “It’s a great radio ministry that brings hope into, well, frankly, a dark world that, you know, we’re kind of living and a lot of people feel oppressed. And some people are feeling scared. And so this is a great opportunity to just come around people who love on other people who want people to hear about Jesus. And just really want to bring encouragement into other people’s lives. We have baptisms that we do on Sunday, which is a great opportunity for people who have just come to know Christ.” 

Powell acknowledges the volunteers, the corporate sponsors and the donors who help make Hills Alive possible. With their generosity, Hills Alive remains free to the public and gives people an opportunity to come to a Christian festival and hear the Good News. 

For the full Hills Alive schedule, click here.