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Oakdale Community Park Hosts First Music Festival
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The team responsible for the first musical event to be brought to Oakdale Community Park, Mitch Fewell, left, and Cy Cole are the masterminds behind Oakdale Christian Music Festival. The first time event, which is free to the public, will be hosted Saturday, April 28 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m. - photo by Teresa Hammond/The Leader

The amphitheater of Oakdale Community Park will soon be filled with music.

Since its opening early last fall, the grant funded park has remained busy with children playing yet the north end has remained relatively quiet.

On Saturday, April 28, that silence will come to an end as worship leaders of several Oakdale churches come together for an Oakdale Christian Music Festival. A first of its kind as musicians from Oakdale area churches play together for a free community concert.

Cy Cole shared the idea first came to him after praying on it. The teacher, as well as founder of Oakdale Christian Academy shared he has visited, as well as attended several churches throughout the community.

“We’ve got a lot of really good churches and a lot of really good pastors,” he said.

Cole said through his attendance he noticed little if any disparity between the different churches, sharing, “I began praying on a way to bring them together in unity.”

Being trusted with the order of music and worship is lead musician and Mountain View Church Worship Pastor Mitch Fewell.

“We’re trying to get all the Christians together in Oakdale for an evening of worship, fellowship and fun,” Fewell said.

Approximately three hours of music will be shared with the community as Fewell has worked with the six musicians on a play list of approximately 20 songs in total.

Excited by the talent as well as the offering of quality music being brought to the community, Fewell shared he’s been most inspired by young people and the unity of youth groups throughout the Oakdale community.

“There’s a Bible verse about young people setting the example for older people,” he said. “So it’s really been an encouragement seeing them do that.”

While the concert is Christian-based, both men encourage the community to attend and be open to the joy and fellowship the group intends to offer. They noted that the event is not being hosted for churches but rather for Christians and the community.

“This is open to anybody in the community that wants to come for a night of music and celebration,” Cole said. “In addition to the music, we’re also going to have activities for the kids, food to buy; it’s going to be a fun night.”

The event is set to begin at 5 p.m. with live music beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and just make an evening of it.

“Anything we can do as a community that honors God, can lift our community,” Cole said. “And anything that we can do that brings us together that is good will only makes us a stronger community. It’s just a fun night.”

As a Worship Pastor, Fewell shared there is nothing which brings him more joy, than to see people gather to honor God and unite in fellowship.

“I never miss a Sunday,” he said of his passion for music and sharing God’s love. “I get to stand up there and watch people focus on nothing else but God and it’s amazing.”

Oakdale Christian Academy is the sponsor of the first time event. For persons or companies interested in learning more or contributing to the event call or e-mail Cole at (209) 840-2600, mrcole@oakdaleacademy.com.