The Fort Gibson Southern Gospel Music Festival began in 2008 as a way for Trinity Family Worship to reach out to a community that was experiencing stressful times. Gas was high, layoffs were everywhere and the economy was like a roller coaster. They wanted to provide something to the community that was free, uplifting and entertaining.
The festival has become a Fort Gibson tradition and has been featured on television, newspapers and radio. It has become a crowd favorite and is now moving into it`s third year!
The vision for a Southern Gospel music festival in Fort Gibson began in March of 2003 when Bro. Terrill White hosted what was hoped to become an annual event called, "Spring Sing" at the Fort Gibson Pentecostal Church of God. "Spring Sing 2003" was attended by a standing-room only audience and proved to be a huge success. Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen events, an annual event never materialized and the idea of a Southern Gospel music festival was placed on the back burner.
Five years later, Bro. Terrill approached his pastor, Rev. Todd Turner of Trinity Family Worship, and shared his vision of having an annual Southern Gospel concert. Pastor Turner gave the "OK" to have the first Southern Gospel Music Festival on Saturday, July 19, 2008 with special guests, The Wallace Family of Emory TX; The Gastineaus of Ada, OK; and Native Witness of Tahlequah, OK. A packed audience came out to support the event and it was featured on KTUL`s "Good Day Tulsa" program, newspapers and radio.
The decision was made to have it yet another year and in 2009 the event was moved to the Fort Gibson High School Auditorium to provide a more professional and comfortable atmosphere. The 2009 festival was featured on KOTV`s "Six In The Morning", KTUL`s "Good Day Tulsa", 91.5 "The Gospel Station", The Muskogee Phoenix, The Green Country Travel Guide and other media outlets. The second annual festival featured Naomi Carey of Hulbert, OK; The Carpitchers of Tahlequah, OK; One Purpose of Muldrow, OK; and the two headliners of the year, The Hawkins Family of Hot Springs, AR and The Jenkins Sisters of Fort Worth, TX.
The 3rd Annual Festival will again be held at the Fort Gibson High School Auditorium and will feature even more great Southern Gospel Music! We are quickly becoming a Fort Gibson tradition! Won`t you join us?
