By Rebekah Kolka
GAYLORD — The 11th annual, Big Ticket Festival (BTF) will be held June 21-24 at the Otsego County Fairgrounds in Gaylord.
BTF is a four-day faith-based family festival featuring about 60 musical artists, inspirational speakers, and various ministries. This year the festival will feature multiple stages with various artists performing.
Sponsored by Cranhill Ranch, the Kids Zone will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. The Kids Stage showcases music, karaoke, and dance parties, puppets, Climbing Wall and other inflatables, games and prizes, face painting, and tie die t-shirt making.
For older children, there is the Young and Free Student Zone which includes large inflatable games, Jay’ archery range, archery tag, College Fair Section, organized activities, and more.
World Orphans 5k Walk/Run and Kids’ Fun Run will be Saturday at 10 a.m. The run features a scenic 5K course, prizes for top finishers, a kids’ fun run, and finish line expo for the entire family. There is no cost for registration, but organizers ask that everyone give and fundraise, if possible.
Every year at BTF, thousands take part in the prayer tent experience. Participants are invited to walk through the self–guided prayer stations, each with a different theme and focus.
A special tradition at BTF is the giant prayer cross. There are blank cards in the prayer tent for people to write down whatever issues in their lives which they want to release to Jesus. Nails and a hammer will be available at the cross to attach papers to.
Main Stage Line-up for 2017 include Skillet (Wednesday); Love and the Outcome, George Moss, and Matt Maher (Thursday); Point of Grace, Jeremy Borders (from Gaylord E-Free Church), George Moss, Aaron Boyd with Bluetree, and For King and Country (Friday); Elevate Youth (from Traverse City), Aaron Boyd with Bluetree and Chris Tomlin (Saturday).
This year’ festival will include some changes. Water truck has been added to help with dust control. A schedule app will be available for download. BTF is working with Pepsi to come up with a new plan to recycle all beverage bottles.
Tickets for all four days for adults (age 12 and up) are $89.00 plus $5.89 fee and children under 12 $49.00 plus $3.69. Multiple other options for passes are also available on BTF’ website: bigticketfestival.com.
