Open-air festival celebrates nation, Soldiers

Praise music and prayers filled the air Saturday as hundreds spent a portion of the Memorial Day weekend worshipping God during an Open Air Faith Festival and Concert at Parade Field 1.
"I'm looking forward to a big time today," musician Fred McKinnon told the crowd as he opened the daylong event with an acoustic set. "You'll be able to use this time to prepare for the day. The purpose of this is to get us in a quiet place and prepare us for the day."
As McKinnon played, the group swayed their arms in time to the music and offered up prayers.
Janice and Althea Holford and Adama Blagrove, sisters who live in New York and Maryland, attended the event with Blagrove's daughters, Jalin and Jasmine.
"My sister (Adama) had a great idea that we should spend some time this weekend with the Lord," said Althea. "This is great."
In addition to McKinnon, other artists who performed at the event included Mary Alessi, Jason Crabb, SONICFLOOd, Antonia Lawrence, Martha Munizzi, and Bishop Bruce Parham. Local artists who participated included Trey Eley, who was backed up by house band leader Simon Pitts.
"Any opportunity I have to play, I like to take that opportunity," Eley, a native of Prince George's County, Md., said. "God gives me the strength to get up every day and share my gift with others."
Pitts retired from the Army in July after a 20-year career.
"Music is my life," he said.
Spc. Serks Marcos and his wife, Airman 1st Class Victoria Marcos, attended the festival with their daughter, Vanessa, 8 months.
"We decided to come together as a family," said Serks, who is stationed in Fort Stewart, Ga. Victoria is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base.
"It's nice weather, a perfect day to get out of the house," she said.
The event also featured food and craft vendors and a kids zone, complete with a Moon Bounce and other amusement rides.
Five-year-old Tre Bailey who lives in Rossell Loop Village gave wide a smile and the "thumbs-up" sign as he prepared to ride the Dixie Whirly Bird.
"Awesome," he said.
The event, conducted by the Fort Belvoir Staff Chaplains Directorate, honored God, country, and Soldiers; united faith communities on the installation; informed the greater Fort Belvoir community about the religious services available to all; and inspired people of all ages through continuous praise and worship music and prayers