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A long-running Christian music festival returns to Jessamine County this September.

The Ichthus Music Festival, which was started in 1970 as a Christian alternative to Woodstock, takes place Saturday, Sept. 10 at its long-time home, Servant Heart Farm in Wilmore.

The festival made its return last year after a six-year hiatus and was held consistently until 2012. Icthus regularly drew huge crowds and major Christian music acts to central Kentucky during the height of its popularity.

This year’s festival will feature a full lineup of contemporary Christian artists and bands including 7eventhTimeDown, SANCTUS REAL, Devin Williams, and Laurel Taylor. The farm gates will open at 11 a.m. with the first concert kicking off at noon. Organizers hope the final show will be on the stage no later than 10:30 p.m.

The festival is a production of The Beacon Foundation a 501c3 organization run by Joe and Cheryl Lycan – who also the festival venue.

“Ichthus was the first Christian music festival beginning in 1970,” Joe Lycan said. “A legacy of salvation and discipleship was developed through that ministry. As owner of Servant Heart farm and director of the new Ichthus, we are celebrating Christ through music and taking the Christian music festival back to the cross of Jesus.”

Campbellsville University is the sponsor for this year’s festival.

“Ichthus is a powerful Christian mission for Campbellsville University,” said Dr. H. Keith Spears, chancellor for university system advancement.“It brings to young people, as well as their parents, quality contemporary Christian music in an atmosphere that develops the servant heart in all of us.”

Ichthus is offering a special church youth group price until Aug. 1 of $20 per ticket.

“The youth are not the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today!” Jamie Lawrence, executive director of ministry and church outreach at Campbellsville University.“I’m thankful for events like Ichthus Music Festival that will focus on taking it back to the cross, pointing this generation of young people to the only one who saves, Jesus Christ.”

Tickets are available at www.itickets.com. For special youth group pricing, go to www.ichthusfest.org.