Gospel singers perform at Fayette County Fair
Now in its fifth year, the Kitchie Lane Gospel Sing at the Fayette County Fair is becoming a tradition that fairgoers enjoy. “There’s been times in here that we have every chair filled and had to go out for more,’ said Arlene Bock, who with her husband, Ron, makes up the group Free Spirit.
“But it’s a fair,’ she added, “so people will come and go. It’s like that all day.’
The Bocks help organize the show, which is sponsored by Hogg Wild Leather and Western, and named for the mother of Cheryl Thomas, a member of the Mainline Gospel Band from Donegal.
The gospel sing takes place appropriately on Sunday with acts lined up yesterday from 1 to 9:30 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building. They included The Cordells, Harden Family, Steel City Quartet, Wanda and Kevin O’Brien, About Him, Free Spirit, Choz’n 1’z, John Klein and Lavona. Klein, the O’Briens and About Him are new to the gospel sing this year.
Ruby Cordell took to the stage with a nice crowd enjoying songs like “One Day at a Time’ while Mrs. Bock reported on the gospel sing.
A resident of Lemont Furnace, Mrs. Bock explained the acts in the gospel sing include “solos, duets and groups. And everybody has a different style.’
Although a donation box is set up at the entrance of the building, Mrs. Bock noted the singers volunteer their time at the fair.
“All of the groups are local groups,’ Mrs. Bock said. “I think especially since it’s the Fayette County Fair, the groups should be from this area. To me they’re just as good as the bigger groups and people in this area come out and support them.’
Is it important to have a gospel sing at the fair?
Mrs. Bock said, “I think people – not just in this area but everywhere – are looking for something. A lot of people won’t go to church and listen to a pastor, but they will come and listen to music. And sometimes, music touches people in a way that a pastor can’t.’