The Ichthus Music Festival is returning to Wilmore tomorrow, on Sept. 18. The festival will relaunch Ichthus as an annual event at Servant Heart Farm, following a six-year hiatus.
First held in 1970 as a Christian response to the famous Woodstock music festival, Ichthus grew into the longest-running Christian music festival, held annually in Wilmore until 2012. One more event followed in 2015, with Ichthus having relocated to Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington before financial difficulties forced the festival to be put on hold indefinitely.
This year marks the festival’s return, with Servant Heart Farm partnering with Fuse Ministries’ concert series to revive it on the grounds where it was initially held.
The festival features a lineup of well-known Christian music mainstays, including Kutless, Rhett Walker, Sanctus Real, and lesser-known acts such as prog-rock band Sons of Anarchy and indie rockers Right Hand Shake. Southland Music, the resident worship team of Nicholasville’s Southland Christian Church, will also be performing.
“We want bands that are going to glorify the Lord, and it’s not about the glitter and the recognition or the national fame,” Servant Heart Farm owner Joe Lycan told WKYT. “It’s about taking it back to Jesus.”
In addition to musical acts, Ichthus also features a line-up of guest preachers, including Brian Heil, Dr. Wesley Paul, and Charlie Marquis.
The festival has considered COVID-19 precautions, limiting attendance to 25% of the festival ground’s average capacity to allow for social distancing. Masks are not required, though they are suggested if attendees cannot find adequate social distance opportunities.
“We’re just hopeful,” Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater told WKYT after the relaunch announcement in July. “And praying that the weather will be perfect and people will come.”
Ichthus is being held as a one-day event, but Lycan hopes to see it expanded to multiple days in the future.