On Jan. 20, Winter Jam came to Columbus for their first Ohio concert of the season. The tour will continue on through Cincinnati and Cleveland in February.
Every year the Winter Jam tour travels the east coast, inspiring members of the christian faith with popular faith based music, inspirational speakers and more.
The show is a regular event for many attendees, and is seen as an opportunity for christians to meet other christians and worship with one another. Men and women of all ages, races and backgrounds attend.
Winter Jam has been held since 1995, previously known as January Jam until 2000. The event was created by christian music band NewSong.
The cost to attend the event is $15. The money from the gate then gets donated to Winter Jam and is distributed to various programs, like adoption services, missionaries and churches. It is a general admission show, so you cannot purchase tickets in advance.
All ages are welcome, and the show is family appropriate. There are many genres of christian music from rap to pop to rock; there is something for everyone. The event provides about four hours of show time.
Daja Alcorn, a student of Sinclair Community College who was in attendance that night says, “My favorite part would be that the concert is filled with different styles of christian music.”
There is a membership opportunity called Jam Nation, where members can purchase a membership of their choice and receive benefits like early seating, free merchandise and more. Membership prices vary, and group memberships are available.
Since the event is general admission the seating is on a first come first serve basis.
At the very end of the show many of the night’s performers come out for a meet and greet session, at no extra charge. This years’ performers are NewSong, KB, Kari Jobe, Skillet, Building 429, John Crist, Nick Hall, Jordan Feliz and Addison Agen.
Alcorn, who attends each year says, “I attend each year because I can pick my own seat and see the celebrities after the concert.”
NewSong, the founders of Winter Jam, have been together since 1981. They have been involved with Holt International, a program that helps children all over the world in situations of extreme poverty, and promote it at the Winter Jam event.
Holt International is a non-profit organization that has been present at previous Winter Jam events. It is a faith based humanitarian organization that gives those in attendance the opportunity to sponsor orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children.
Alcorn encourages everyone thinking about going, to go.
The next Ohio concert is in Cleveland on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., and the last show is in Cincinnati on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
Kelsey Fitzpatrick
Reporter