Draft:Hills Alive Festival

Hills Alive is an annual Christian music festival held in Rapid City, South Dakota. It has been a staple of the Black Hills community since its inception in 1985. Originally a paid event, it transitioned to a free-admission festival in 2004 and has continued this tradition ever since.

History

The festival began in 1985 as a one-day event at Hart Ranch before moving to Spearfish City Park, where it continued for ten years. In 1998, the festival relocated to Memorial Park in Rapid City, where it continued to grow in attendance and popularity. Over the years, Hills Alive has attracted between 7,000 to 10,000 attendees, featuring numerous Christian artists.

In 2002, the festival faced significant challenges, leading to its cancellation. Delays in obtaining necessary approvals from the Rapid City Council and uncertainties regarding the long-term availability of Memorial Park hampered planning efforts. KSLT, the radio station that had organized the festival since its inception, announced the cancellation of the July 2002 event, stating that they could not secure headliners in time.

After a temporary cancellation due to logistical and financial challenges, the festival was rebranded in 2003 as LifeLight West under the management of LifeLight Communications, the organization behind the LifeLight Festival in Sioux Falls. The festival maintained its free-admission model, funded through donations, sponsorships, and community support.

In 2004, the festival returned to its original name, Hills Alive, while LifeLight Communications continued to manage the event.

However, in late 2023, KSLT announced that they would not host the festival for 2024 due to financial strains. Carl Bliss, the Marketing Director for Northwestern Media (which purchased KSLT in 2021), stated that the resources needed to safely run the festival were detracting from the station’s ability to serve its audience through radio.

In response to KSLT's announcement, LifeLight expressed interest in continuing the festival and confirmed that it would be taking over the organization of Hills Alive, ensuring that the event remains free to the public. The festival is scheduled to take place on July 20-21, 2024, at Memorial Park.

Mission and Community Impact

The mission of Hills Alive is to bring together community members for a family-friendly celebration centered around Christian music. The festival aims to spread positivity and the message of the Gospel while offering an inclusive environment for attendees.

In its recent iterations, Hills Alive has featured popular Christian artists, including Jeremy Camp, Skillet, and Mac Powell, among others. Activities for youth, food vendors, and various attractions contribute to the festival's family-friendly atmosphere.

Legacy

Hills Alive has established itself as a significant event in the Black Hills region, providing a space for worship, community gathering, and entertainment. The festival continues to rely on the support of volunteers, corporate sponsors, and donors to remain free and accessible to all.

References

1. Hills Alive provides details about the festival, lineup, history, and event updates.
   • Hills Alive Website
2. KSLT was the original organizer of the festival and continues to play a role in promoting it.
   • KSLT Radio Website
3. LifeLight Communications now organizes Hills Alive and continues to manage the festival’s growth and free-admission model.
   • LifeLight Website
4. Various online guides and blogs highlight Hills Alive as a notable event in Christian music festivals.
   • Christian Festival Association
5. Over the years, local news outlets and Christian media platforms have covered Hills Alive, especially during event weekends.
   • Keloland Article about Hills Alive 2024
   • Chadronradio Article about Hills Alive 2023 Cancelled
   • Rapid City Journal Article about Hills Alive 2004 coming back under LifeLight
   • Rapid City Journal Article about Hills Alive 2003 Cancelled
   • Rapid City Journal Article about Hills Alive 2009