My family and I spent this past Saturday at Ignite Chicago. The weather was simply perfect (sunny and warm) and the festival was even better. This was the first year for Ignite and all went fairly well. There was plenty of room for the 7,000 people because it was held on the grounds of Alexian Field, home to a minor league baseball team. You could sit on the grass or in the stands, whichever you preferred. Outside of the exorbedent food prices ($5 slice of pizza anyone) and a few technical difficulties, it was a great time.
Best of all was the music. I mean with bands like Barlow Girl, Seventh Day Slumber, Rebecca St. James, DCB and Casting Crowns, what wasn't there to like.
My family and I were particularly stoked to see the David Crowder Band. Before his set was to begin all of us made our way into the pit in front of the stage and waited. We were jammed in there together and Declan was a little perturbed that he couldn't see anything. I kept lifting him on my shoulders but warned him that once the music started he was going to need to get down.
Well there was some technical delay and it was hot and we hadn't brought any water with us. Nancy said that she would stay in the pit for a few songs and then head back to the blankets with the boys.
That's when David Crowder came on stage to mess with the crowd. Our son Cormac, who was sitting on Nancy's shoulders starting yelling out, 'excuse me, David Crowder' to get his attention. And when David didn't respond at first, Cormac started yelling out, louder now, 'Hello David Crowder.' This went on for several minutes as David signed all types of things people tossed at him from the front row. The people around us found Cormac hilarious and so one guy started yelling along with Cormac. Then another guy, and another. Soon there was a group of people screaming David's name. Finally, David looked up, spotted Cormac on Nancy's shoulders, pointed, waved and Cormac waved back. Nancy (now Cormac is on her shoulders this whole time) started for the stage.
And that's when little Cormac has his chance to meet David. Once Cormac was on stage he told David that he was thirsty. He also requested that the band play You Are My Joy. David stood up and went and brought him back a bottle of water.
If you missed it, don't worry. I suspect that the promoters deemed the festival a success and expect that it will be back next year.
Thanks to David Crowder who made one four-year old very happy!