Winter Jam 2015

I worked Winter Jam again this year; my third year in a row to work this event. The first year I worked, it was on a Sunday in January, and the crowd was so crazy big that they ended up turning hundreds of people away. People had waited in the freezing cold for hours and then couldn't get in. It was a heartbreaker! Beginning last year, they moved the event to a Thursday night in March, and the crowds were a lot more manageable, it seemed.

The bad part about a weeknight event is that Ryan can't come to those. By the time he gets off work and makes it to Fort Wayne {almost a 2 hour drive}, it's so late, and then we have two cars up there...and it's just a lot of time and gas wasted on a work night. But THIS year, we had a special blessing in that our friends Mike and Angie drove up from our area after Ryan got off work, so he caught a ride up with them and then was able to drive home with me. HUGE blessing!! I'd worked all day and we didn't get home until close to midnight, so I was just so glad to have him with me!

Not surprisingly, I took over 300 photos that night, so I hope you have a lot of time! JUST KIDDING! I'm just picking a few of my faves to show you:

For some reason, I didn't get a picture of Ken, who also worked with us that night, but here are my work buds: Dana and Ron. Apparently it was my first time with a camera and I didn't know where to look. LOL!!!

I had never heard of the group Veridia before, but I did get this pretty great picture of the drummer and his hair!

Two years ago at Winter Jam, I saw Blanca for the first time, when she was part of Group 1 Crew. This year she was there as a solo artist. I really like her voice and enjoyed hearing her on her own!

Newsong hosts Winter Jam, and every year, they do Arise, My Love. And every year, I cry. I love that song so very much. And I think now that Winter Jam falls right before Easter for us...it is even more significant.

It was my first time to hear Building 429 in person:

Family Force 5 - brought their trampolines! Work out AND sing: it's how you get it all done while on the road!

I love this one: the fan was feeling the love!

Blanca came out to sing with Building 429 as well!

Jeremy Camp was my favorite of the night. I really, really appreciate him and I love his music. 

I've seen her in concert several times before, but Francesca Battistelli was part of Winter Jam this year. And she brought bubbles!!!

The final act of the night was Skillet. So funny...my friend Faith came and brought her kids specifically to SEE Skillet. I only made it through one song before I had to leave, because the crazy strobe lights were making me sick. I think I may be a little too southern gospel to fully appreciate the pyro/strobe light world. But Skillet definitely has talent - and I know the crowd was crazy happy to see them!

 It was a full house - and so encouraging to see so many people from so many generations worshiping together!

My very handsome date...so happy to see him:

And here we are with our friends Mike and Angie - who brought him up to Fort Wayne:

And one of my favorite parts of intermission...seeing my friends! I got to meet new friends and see old friends, like Elisa {we forgot a picture!!!} and Faith and her kids!

All in all, a very fun night - and a very LATE night! :) Winter Jam 2015 in the books!