Going On Faith Summer 2023

FAITH-BASED

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MUSIC FESTIVAL

ARKANSAS ORIGINALS

DOING TIME IN LEAVENWORTH

HEARTLAND MUSEUMS

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SCAN ME TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

SCAN ME TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

EDITOR’S BRIAN JEWELL

THE POWER OF THE CROWD

There’s nothing like taking communion with 15,000 other people.

This issue’s article on Christian music festivals (“Sounding Off” on p. 20) brought back a lot of memories for me. Going to a major festival near my home in Kentucky was a pivotal part of my youth group experience as a teenager. I enjoyed it so much that I spent my summers in my 20s volunteering at the same event.

There was a lot to enjoy about the festival experience. I loved the music, of course, but also loved camping, eating junk food and hanging out with my friends. But the highlight of each year’s festival was the moment on Saturday evening when the entire crowd would gather on a hillside to take communion together.

Communion is a foundational practice that spans the entire breadth of Christian traditions. Most churchgoers take communion dozens — if not hundreds — of times throughout their lives. And like any repetitive action, it can feel routine at times. But for some reason, the music festival communion was always deeply impactful for me.

Maybe it had something to do with the setting: taking communion outdoors at sunset instead of at church. Or maybe it had something to do with the heightened emotional state that comes from too much junk food and too little sleep. The more I think about it, though, the more I am convinced that the real power of this moment was in the crowd experiencing it together.

Group dynamics can enhance all kinds of experiences. Your church is a perfect exam-

ple of that. You likely spent some of the pandemic worshipping at home via online services. And while that served a purpose for a time, it was a far cry from the experience of singing, learning and sharing together in person.

But this power of a group goes far beyond the church. It’s more fun to attend a sold-out sporting event than to sit in a half-empty stadium. Dining in a crowded restaurant is more exhilarating than eating the same meal from a take-out box at home. Even conferences and professional events feel much more significant when they’re well attended.

Of course, crowds bring their own sets of challenges. I still can’t wrap my head around the logistics involved in passing out 15,000 sets of communion elements in five minutes. And attending popular events often involves high prices, long waits and lots of strategic planning. But I believe the potential power of largescale experiences can far outweigh the costs.

There’s a strength in crowds that you can use to your advantage in travel. You already know that traveling as a group helps you build community, strengthen relationships and heighten the trip experience. But imagine what could happen if you scaled your group up by joining with a larger event.

Whether it’s a music festival, a women’s retreat, a ministry conference or a secular celebration, the emotional power of the crowd can add depth to your group travel experiences. As you plan trips for your church and your community, I hope you’ll take advantage of opportunities to join your small group with a bigger crowd, at least for a moment or two.

It might prove to be best moment.

BRIAN JEWELL | EDITOR | brianj@grouptravelleader.com

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GREEN BAY PREPARES FOR GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE

ATTENDEES WILL ENJOY BUSINESS AND PLEASURE IN THIS LEGENDARY WISCONSIN CITY

BY RACHEL CRICK

The 2023 Going on Faith Conference will be held August 22-24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where faith-based tour planners can look forward to experiencing the city’s major attractions and enjoying exciting networking opportunities with fellow planners.

Green Bay was recently named the best place to live in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report, because of its affordability, its friendly community and the overall quality of life it offers to its residents.

Attendees will get to see that for themselves as they enjoy a conference agenda that offers not only networking opportunities but also a chance to relish the city’s great amenities.

They’ll be staying at the Hyatt Regency Green Bay, the luxurious, 241-room hotel hosting the conference. The Hyatt, which features tastefully decorated, modern rooms and 80,000 square feet of flexible event space, is just steps away from the Fox River and buzzing downtown Green Bay. Downtown is notable

for its walkability and its wide range of restaurants, shops and venues.

EXCHANGING IDEAS

Above all, Going On Faith Conference provides an opportunity for faith-based travel planners to find new ideas for their organizations.

New attendees to the conference will find its marketplace sessions to be well organized and timed to the second. About two dozen six-minute appointments

Visitors make a stop at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Museum at Lambeau Field.

on average allow buyers and sellers an opportunity to exchange key questions and answers about faithbased destinations. An exchange of business cards is allowed, but beyond that, all follow-up takes place after the conference.

The Group Travel Family produces a conference app that has all delegates’ and sponsors’ contact information readily available. Conference attendees have all the information they need to build business relationships once the event in Green Bay concludes.

In addition to the marketplace sessions, delegates will enjoy a keynote presentation by David Price, president and senior consultant of DK Productions Group, a coaching and consulting business based in Decatur, Georgia. Price, a speaking coach who teaches leadership and communication skills, is also a minister. Price said he plans to take the audience on a journey of “rediscovering their passions, gifts and purpose.”

Clockwise from top left: The National Railroad Museum ; a view of Green Bay from the Fox River; The Automobile Gallery; National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion

Photos courtesy Discover Green Bay

DAVID PRICE

EXCITING EVENTS

Before and after business sessions, delegates will have several social gatherings together where they can network and enjoy host city highlights.

Attendees can look forward to a tailgating buffet dinner at Lambeau Field, the legendary home to the Green Bay Packers and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Museum. Lambeau Field is an enormously popular attraction in Green Bay, drawing in thousands of visitors annually for tours of the stadium, from the field to the press boxes, and visits to the hall of fame and museum. Attendees will see Packers memorabilia, learn about the most famous players and the stadium itself, and hear more about this NFL team’s history and what it means to Green Bay.

“We’re really excited to have Going on Faith coming to Green Bay,” said Nick Meisner, vice president of digital marketing and communications at Discover Green Bay. “It’s an event that our team goes to every year, and it’s really generated a lot of excitement in our office and around the community. We adore showing off our community, and we hope they enjoy their time and find it to be a great experience they can share.”

Mealtimes at the conference are another great opportunity for networking and learning about faith-based travel destinations across the country. Breakfasts are being sponsored by the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, a museum duo in Northern Kentucky that present biblical accounts of Genesis and the story of the flood with a massive, biblically proportioned wooden ark; and Sight and Sound Theaters, which present Bible stories to audiences live on stage in Branson, Missouri, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The conference’s lunches will be sponsored by Plimoth and Patuxet

Museums, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, designed to let visitors glimpse life in the 17th century Colonies; and “His Story: The Musical” a musical theater production in The Colony, Texas, about the life of Jesus Christ. Attendees will enjoy both the delicious cuisine and learning about what makes these group travel attractions perfect for faith-based groups.

EXPLORING GREEN BAY

On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 23, attendees will get to venture out into Green Bay to explore the city’s exciting array of attractions. The first tour will visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the first and only U.S. site approved by the Roman Catholic Church as an apparition site of the Virgin Mary. Attendees will tour the shrine, located just outside of Green Bay, and have light refreshments. The second tour will go to the Automobile Gallery, a collection of interesting, rare and vintage automobiles. It will be accompanied by a wine sampling from Captain’s

Clockwise from top left: LaClare Family Creamery silo and barn; enjoying Faris Gourmet Popcorn; Ziegler Winery; the Radisson Hotel Fond du Lac; goats at LaClare Family Creamery

Photos courtesy Destination Lake Winnebago

“WE’RE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE GOING ON FAITH COMING TO GREEN BAY. IT’S AN EVENT THAT OUR TEAM GOES TO EVERY YEAR, AND IT’S REALLY GENERATED A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN OUR OFFICE AND AROUND THE COMMUNITY.” — NICK MEISNER

Walk Winery, with time to walk through the Broadway Farmer’s Market. The third tour will showcase the Herbal Experience at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, with an emphasis on touring the herb garden. Attendees will enjoy food prepared with herbs and even make a little something to take home with them.

The fourth tour will be a “rails and ales” tour, which entails a stop at the National Railroad Museum. This museum features exhibits detailing railroad history and an impressive selection of famous locomotives. It will be followed by a stop at Badger State Brewing Company for tasting of some local beers.

LOOPING THE LAKES

Another exciting nearby opportunity awaits planners immediately following the conference. Loop the Lakes, a three-day familiarization trip for travel planners, will be hosted by Greater Fox Cities and Destination Lake Winnebago Region. This FAM will be held August 24-26, and will begin and end at the Hyatt Green Bay. Other overnight stays will include the Radisson Hotel Fond du Lac and Hilton Applteon Paper Valley Hotel.

Meals are included, and sightseeing will include stops at (and the opportunity for samples) at the LaClare Family Creamery, Ziegler Winery and Faris Gourmet Popcorn. It will also include visits to Kristmas Kringle, Berstorm Mahler Museum of Glass, Fox Cities River Tyme, Nanna’s Apothecary, and the History Museum and Castle. The group can also look forward to visiting Pullman’s Restaurant, where they will enjoy a world-famous Friday night fish fry.

Travel planners can contact Cassandra at 800-628-0993 or cblankenship@grouptravelfamily.com to register for the conference and the complimentary familiarization trip.

greenbay com/groups

From herbs and flowers, to veggies and farm fresh ingredients plus music, food and more. Experience Green Bay’s outdoor markets and shopping.

Photos courtesy Fox Cities CVB

Top: Goods at Nana’s Apothecary Bottom: Shopping at Kristmas Kringle

FAITH FACES TRAVEL

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‘It’s My Mission’

JEANIE JOHNSTON

JEANIE’S JOURNEYS

COMPANY: Jeanie’s Journeys

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

— Ephesians 3:17-20

HOMETOWN: Richfield, Minnesota

HOBBIES:

When she’s not busy planning and leading trips around the world, Johnston spends her free time singing and playing drums in various bands around the Twin Cities

BY REBECCA TREON

Sometimes bad circumstances can lead to good moves.

Minneapolis-based tour operator Jeanie’s Journeys is known for offering small group tours to destinations across North America and abroad, with a focus on high-quality-yet-affordable travel. Jeanie Johnston has more than 30 years of travel industry experience under her belt, but she didn’t start her career in travel. Johnston was a hospital administrator facing burnout when she decided to make a change.

“I was pushing 50 and had been working in the hospital for 20 years,” said Johnston. “I realized, as I’m in the basement with no windows, next to the morgue, that I’m not going to make it to retirement here. So I quit my job and got a job flying with Northwest Airlines as a flight attendant. While I was doing that, I also started working for Marshall Fields Travel Service in their group department. I worked with some companies that taught me how to do bus travel trips and take people on the road. I learned the ins and outs of air travel by being a flight attendant.”

After designing tours for other companies for several years, Johnston realized she could venture out on her own with the industry’s best kept secrets up her sleeve. She wanted to pass her insider knowledge on to travelers in the form of cost savings. She started Cross Point Tours in 2010, later changing the name to Jeanie’s Journeys on the advice of travel expert Rick Steves.

“I didn’t have a checklist — I had to kind of feel my way through this business,” said Johnston. “I’m still feeling my way! I’m totally independent; I don’t have a host agency. I just figured it out. I learned that the convention visitor bureau is one of your best friends — they can help you design tours and find the most affordable and best hotels and itineraries. I design all my tours from scratch myself.”

Simultaneously, Johnston raised a family with her husband, Dave, who was her high school sweetheart. He recently retired from his career as a pastor and has joined Jeanie by offering history lectures and leading group tours himself, especially to destinations

“WHEN I DESIGN THE TOURS, WE INCLUDE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE OF WORSHIP. I DO THAT BECAUSE IT’S MY MISSION TO GET PEOPLE TO SEE THE BEAUTY AROUND THEM THAT GOD HAS CREATED IN NATURE, IN ARCHITECTURE, IN CHURCHES, IN ART.”

that have a historic or religious significance. Jeanie and Dave do travel talks at community centers, churches and retirement homes, which not only offers armchair travel to attendees but also is the way the majority of their clientele join tours.

Jeanie’s Journeys does roughly 12 trips per year, with a combination of trips like tours in Door County, Wisconsin; cruises in Alaska or the Mediterranean; and spiritual pilgrimages to Israel. Group sizes range from under 10 participants to about 100. But regardless of size, Jeanie’s Journeys offers unique itineraries at an affordable price.

“To me a true tour operator is someone where there is no middleman, and that’s what I strive to do — no middleman makes travel affordable,” said Johnston. “I do all the hard work, the leg work, myself. I don’t take anybody to any place I haven’t been before, and I create and build all the trips myself, sell them and then take groups out.”

The Johnstons also include spiritual components on many of their trips. Their groups sometimes attend church services in the city they’re in. Other times, the Johnstons lead a prayer or worship service with the group.

“Our trips have a foodie connection, an entertainment connection, a historical connection. But I always try to include a spiritual connection,” said Johnston. “When I design the tours, we include a beautiful place of worship. I do that because it’s my mission to get people to see the beauty around them that God has created in nature, in architecture, in churches, in art.”

TRAVEL TIPS

TIP 1

Always contact the CVB or tourism board of the place you want to visit for local insight into what to see and do in an area. They have fantastic ideas!

TIP 2

Don’t be afraid to do groups. Instead of designing just one tour for two people, do the same tour for 20 or 30 people. It takes almost the same amount of time.

TIP 3

When taking a tour out, we always pray onboard for God’s protection over our tour before the bus moves one inch. We ask everyone’s permission before doing so since everyone is from a different faith background. They all say yes and really appreciate the prayer of protection.

Rockets, world-class attractions, culinary offerings to satisfy any appetite, a thriving arts and entertainment culture, sweet tea, and hospitable Southern charm isn’t all we are known for. Our rich history, museums, scenic views, and tours and trails are ready for you to explore in Huntsville, Alabama.

15 places of worship, each over 100 years old, still holding services.

ONLY ARKANSAS IN

ENJOY ONE-OF-A-KIND ATTRACTIONS IN THE NATURAL STATE

Clockwise from top: Christ of the Ozarks on the campus of the Great Passion Play; an exhibit in the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum; eye-catching architecture at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

BY RACHEL CRICK

Arkansas enjoys more than its share of cultural institutions.

In addition to its many religious attractions, Arkansas has a host of museums covering topics from past presidents to modern art. These museums capture the spirit of their cities and make a worthy stop on any religious group’s itinerary as they make their way through the Natural State.

This itinerary showcases the memorable museums in five destinations throughout the state. It begins in Little Rock, then heads west to Hot Springs. Next it turns north to Fort Smith and continues north to Bentonville and Eureka Springs. Allow five days for an enjoyable and enlightening tour through the state.

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LITTLE ROCK

HIGHLIGHT | A PRESIDENTIAL LANDMARK

Presidential museums and libraries are designed to both honor the legacies of past presidents and document their time in office by preserving documents, photographs and artifacts. Bill Clinton, the 42nd president and former governor of Arkansas, is an Arkansas native, so it makes sense that his presidential library and museum can be found in Little Rock. It’s part of the Clinton Presidential Center and Park right next to the Arkansas River.

Groups can take guided tours of the museum’s three floors to see exhibits detailing Clinton’s life and political career. Exhibits include the presidential limousine designed by Cadillac to transport President Clinton; replicas of the Cabinet Room and Oval Office; and photographs and documents from Clinton’s early life. A couple of galleries also feature rotating exhibits. Groups can dine at 42 Bar and Table, the museum’s restaurant, for an elegant meal from the varied menu accompanied by beautiful river views.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: As the capital of Arkansas, Little Rock is home to many other museums besides the Clinton Presidential Museum. The Esse Purse Museum, Museum of Discovery and the Old State House Museum are just a few visitors can explore. Groups can tour the Arkansas Capitol and see the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. At this important historic site, visitors can learn about the Little Rock Nine and the struggle to desegregate education in America.

HOT SPRINGS

HIGHLIGHT | HISTORIC BATHHOUSES

Hot Springs National Park is renowned as an oasis in the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas, famous for its natural thermal springs and for the historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row. For thousands of years, people have been using the springs as a source of healing and medicine to address a variety of different ailments spiritual and physical. Bathhouse Row has been providing naturally heated water for visitors to enjoy since the 1800s. The Fordyce Bathhouse is the largest bathhouse on the row and opened in 1915. Today, it serves as the park’s visitor center and museum. With its ornate, stained-glass ceilings and marble details throughout, it was once the most luxurious bathhouse and is a must-see when visiting Hot Springs.

During a tour, groups can watch educational videos about the region’s history, Bathhouse Row and the 143-degree hot springs. They can see the building’s historic rooms restored to their former glory and furnished with vintage pieces, as well as the vintage therapeutic technology used on clients to promote their healing.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Hot Springs is a national park as well as a city, and it’s famous for its ranger-led walking tours. These 45-minute tours take visitors around downtown to learn about the history of the springs and the town itself. Groups can also visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens, 210 acres of botanical gardens and home to the breathtaking, architecturally unique Anthony Chapel.

MORE INFO | hotsprings.org

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SPRINGS

HOT SPRINGS

ARKANSAS

LITTLE ROCK

FORT SMITH HIGHLIGHT | FRONTIER HERITAGE

Fort Smith, a frontier town on the western border of Arkansas, is rich in culture and history. From the Civil War to the Trail of Tears, Fort Smith played an important role in many events that permanently shaped the social and political landscape in the U.S. The Fort Smith National Historic Site commemorates its long and decorated history for visitors to experience. The site comprises several historical attractions and exhibits at the confluence of the Poteau and Arkansas rivers.

At Belle Point, visitors can see the ruins of the first Fort Smith, dating back to 1817. They can also view the Trail of Tears Overlook, an exhibit along the Arkansas River about the forced removal of Indigenous people to Indian Territory in the 19th century. Fort Smith also has its share of Wild West history that has long inspired tales of outlaws and U.S. marshals. Visitors can see the oldest building in Fort Smith, the commissary, as well Judge Parker’s courtroom and the reconstructed Fort Smith gallows, where many outlaws met their fate.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: There are plenty of other ways for groups to get to know Fort Smith’s adventurous past. They can visit the Fort Smith Museum of History or enjoy the natural ecosystem and wildlife of the surrounding area at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center.

BENTONVILLE HIGHLIGHT | AMAZING ART

In the northwest Arkansas city of Bentonville, groups will find the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. This museum is more like a museum complex, combining art, architecture and nature to house an impressive permanent collection of modern American artworks. Located on 120-acres of wooded land in a ravine, the museum’s modern design uses locally sourced timber and architectural concrete to integrate the sleek facility into the natural landscape. The museum’s permanent collection includes examples from many eras of American art and across all mediums, from a Chihuly glass piece to several paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe.

Groups can choose from several tours of the museum, from a collection highlights tour to an architecture tour. They can eat lunch or grab a coffee in the museum’s restaurant, Eleven, which focuses on crafting delicious and sustainable meals using local ingredients. Groups can walk around the museum’s wooded trails to see additional sculptures and outdoor art and enjoy the serene water features.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Bentonville is home to a surprising number of museums and historic sites. The Peel Museum is a historic home that lets visitors experience a glimpse of life for the Peel family in the 1800s, accompanied by a lush botanical garden. The Museum of Native American History is another popular site for visitors to learn about the first Americans.

MORE INFO | visitbentonville.com

Checking out the art at Crystal Bridges

Exterior of the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

Exhibits at the Fort Smith National Historic Site

EUREKA SPRINGS

HIGHLIGHT | A BIBLICAL COLLECTION

The Bible Museum is located in the park where the Great Passion Play, an outdoor performance depicting Jesus Christ’s final week on earth, is held. The museum is one attraction of several in the park. It contains 6,000 Bibles in multiple languages from throughout history, as well as 3,000 biblical artifacts. Visitors will learn about the history of the Bible while viewing rare and significant bibles, including Martin Luther’s German translation and an original King James version from 1611.

Admission is included when groups buy a ticket to see the Great Passion Play or come in to view the park’s other attractions. These include Christ of the Ozarks, a 67-foot-tall statue of Christ overlooking the park, as well as the Holy Land Tour, an interactive tour of the park’s replica Middle-Eastern landscape, where they can learn about the region Christ once roamed. The Great Passion Play itself draws in over 100,000 visitors to Eureka Springs each year; this large-scale outdoor performance is a must-see for anyone visiting the area, especially religious groups.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: In addition to light hiking and outdoor recreation in the Ozark Mountains, groups can visit the Eureka Springs Historical Museum and take walking tours of the town’s historic downtown. They can also visit churches renowned for their distinct architecture and history, such as the Thorncrown Chapel and Saint Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.

A scene from the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs

The Visitor Center at Fort Smith National Historic Site The Fordyce Bathhouse in Hot Springs

Stained-glass ceilings at the Fordyce Bathhouse

SNAP TRAVEL SHOT

LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS

BY ABI BERWAGER SCHREIER

Kansas, filled with breathtaking rolling grassy hills and flowing rivers, is more than just the world’s largest contiguous tallgrass prairie. It is a state filled with history. Often called “The Gateway to the West,” Leavenworth, Kansas, in particular, is steeped in history.

“And we just love to share it,” said Kristi Lee, the director of tourism for the Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau.

This historic city gets its name, “Gateway to the West,” because the port located there (still in operation) supplied all the wagon trains heading west and was where all the military folks were stationed.

Leavenworth is the very first and oldest city in the state. Incorporated in 1827, this historic town offers plenty of attractions for history buffs. “We’re part of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, which has to do with Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War and the continuing struggle for freedom,” Lee said.

There are several breathtaking historic churches to tour, including one located

near the VA Administration that was featured on Ripley’s Believe It or Not, because they held Protestant services in the top and Catholic services in the bottom of the gorgeous Gothic-style church. Lee says the National Cemetery near there is worth strolling through as well.

Visitors can also enjoy gorgeous walking trails, including one trail parallel to the incredible Missouri River — which is the longest river in America and called “the river of life” for the Great Plains. If you’re looking for a fun night out in Leavenworth, checking out the Heritage Center for dinner and a show is a must. In fact, on July 7, the gospel group, “The Master’s Voice” will be performing following dinner at the center, which is perfect for a church group out for a night on the town.

There’s so much history to see and take in when visiting Leavenworth, including its historic — yet bustling — downtown district filled with local favorite places to eat and shops filled with antiques and local art. If that’s not enough, here are four ideas of must-see attractions to visit while enjoying Kansas’ oldest city.

All photos courtesy Leavenworth CVB

Top: Founded in 1827, Leavenworth was a hub of westward expansion and is now a popular historic destination.

Bottom: A memorial chapel at Fort Leavenworth

HARVEY GIRL LUNCHEONS

As part of the National Fred Harvey Museum, visitors can enjoy a lunch transporting them back to the time when the Fred Harvey Company restaurants and hotels were in their prime. Harvey created the first “fast food” dining experience in the Southwest, and women, who donned long black dresses and white aprons, were famous waitresses with impeccable charm and customer service. It was prestigious to be a “Harvey Girl” because according to the Leavenworth Historical Association, the Fred Harvey Company was one of the first businesses to promote cultural diversity in the workplace and the first to employ a workforce made up entirely of women.

C.W. PARKER CAROUSEL MUSEUM

Lee says this museum may be considered Leavenworth’s No. 1 attraction. It includes a ride on a fully operational and restored 1913 C.W. Parker carousel, which was originally made in Leavenworth during the carousel company’s heyday. Guests will also enjoy perusing all the exhibits about how they made carousels and all the restored horses and other historically registered carousels. Groups of 20 or more can arrange for a private tour during the week, but the museum is typically open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

FORT LEAVENWORTH

Fort Leavenworth is the oldest operating military installation west of the Mississippi and is home to the Buffalo Soldier Monument, the Frontier Army Museum, a gorgeous and historic Bethel A.M.E. church from the 1800s — which was part of the Underground Railroad — and more. The Buffalo Soldier Monument was dedicated to the memory of the Ninth and 10th Cavalry regiments of the U.S. Army, who were Black soldiers in the Civil War. At the Frontier Army Museum, visitors will explore uniforms, weapons and equipment that was used by the Frontier Army in 1804. And guests can tour the famous (and gorgeous) church as well.

THE RICHARD ALLEN CULTURAL CENTER

Across the street from the historic A.M.E church is the Richard Allen Cultural Center, a museum offering a glimpse into the history of African Americans in Kansas locally as well as the rich heritage of African Americans worldwide. There’s also memorabilia belonging to General Colin Powell and statues of Buffalo Soldiers. The center was named for Richard Allen, who founded the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in the U.S. Throughout the year, the center offers a tutoring program for Leavenworth youth, as well as a Jazz by the River event and golf tournaments.

A historic photo at the Richard Allen Cultural Center

A Richard Allen Cultural Center exhibit

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

Harvey Girls at the National Fred Harvey Museum

SOUNDING OFF

BY KATI HYER

THESE FESTIVALS SHOWCASE THE MUSIC OF FAITH

Make a joyful noise!

Faith-based music festivals present opportunities for church groups to combine the best of worship, entertainment and travel. These crowdpleasing events create memories groups will return to year after year.

From contemporary to gospel, bluegrass and more, each of the following festivals promises an uplifting, exciting, family-friendly experience.

By Maysa Oakly, courtesy Northwestern Media

Courtesy Big Ticket Festival

Courtesy SonRise Music Festival

Prominent Christian band For King and Country performs at Hills Alive in Rapid City.

A worshipful moment at Big Ticket Festival

An energetic performance at SonRise Music Festival

BIG TICKET FESTIVAL GAYLORD, MICHIGAN

One of Michigan’s biggest Christian music festivals takes place just an hour south of Mackinac Island the last weekend of June: the Big Ticket Festival.

“We asked ourselves: Why don’t we make a festival? And God has been faithful for the last 18 years, and we expect him to continue to be next year,” said Big Ticket Festival executive director Becky Mason.

Gaylord, Michigan, attracts thousands of festivalgoers each year. Among dozens of other artists, David Crowder and Zach Williams will headline this year’s program. But talent isn’t the only aspect making Big Ticket unique.

“It’s a whole experience where you have people worshiping and praying over each other,” Mason said. “Believers from all over Michigan and even Canada connect as the Kingdom of God for the Kingdom of God,” Mason said.

While nearby hotels are available, staying on the grounds offers an authentic communal experience. “We bring in showers, bathrooms and power, so people can set up right outside the gates,” Mason said. “A lot of them sit around the campfire and jam out with their friends talking about Jesus.”

Activities abound daily during the festival. “In addition to the worship tent with music, kids can enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, a zip line, a big sandbox and a Lego station, and we have lots of food trucks,” Mason said.

Camping runs from Thursday through Sunday. Read the FAQ section on the website for a good packing list. Tickets and add-ons are available online.

bigticketfestival.com

SONRISE MUSIC FESTIVAL VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

In light of the sunny and life-changing reputation of SonRise Music Festival, one would never know the beachy Virginia festival was born from a personal tragedy suffered by Trina Olsen Keeney.

“Eventually she realized, ‘I have to come out of this,’ and the only way she knew was to get more into Christ and more into worship,” said pastor Moses David, director of local and indie talent for the festival. “That healing led to a vision of worship at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.”

Kenney founded the festival and brought her vision to life. Over the past decade, SonRise Music Festival has helped people surrender to Christ through local and mainstream Christian music.

“The beauty of SonRise,” David said, “is that everyone who is involved goes to different churches. It is a weekend of unifying under one banner, which is Christ.”

Group travelers who attend the Memorial Day weekend festival have the chance to enjoy a diverse music lineup. Tauren Wells will headline the 2023 event. “It’s amazing. You’re going to have every single style of worship represented here,” David said. “All cultures, all ethnic groups, and national and local music.”

In between frolicking in the Virginia Beach surf, families can enjoy a children’s activity zone. Tour planners can take advantage of the proximity of hotels on the strip and 24th Street. While most of the access is not ticketed, some spaces in the concert area can be reserved.

sonrisemin.org

NATIONAL QUARTET CONVENTION PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

There’s something about a gospel quartet that transports the listener out of time and space.

Maybe it’s the vibration of a deep baritone — or perhaps it’s when the foursome slide into a goosebump-inducing resolution. Whatever it is that defines the magic, the headquarters for the art found its footing in 1957 with the first National Quartet Convention.

“It was started by J.D. Sumner, a man often remembered from his Elvis years,” said Clarke Beasley, executive vice president for the National Quartet Convention. “He wanted to create a one-stop shop for the gospel music fan. All these years later, it’s still true.”

The Pigeon Forge event takes place the last weekend in September, when the colors are starting to change in east Tennessee. The auditorium of Pigeon Forge’s Leconte Center is filled with groups singing the paint off the walls, to the delight of fans young and old.

“It’s very much a fan festival,” Beasley said of the largest event in gospel music. “That’s the focus.”

Music featured on the Gaither Homecoming Special provides a good sampling of what to expect.

“We’ll have prominent artists like The Hoppers, Greater Vision, Triumphant Quartet, the Mark Trammell Quartet, and Dollywood’s host group, Kingdom Heirs,” Beasley said.

Look online for church and tour group discounts. Pigeon Forge is packed with lodging and extracurricular activities if groups can bear to pull themselves away from the artistry. The convention partners with the local CVB to develop special tour packages, so inquire early.

nqconline.com

Courtesy SonRise Music Festival

Courtesy SonRise Music Festival Courtesy National Quartet Convention

Getting into the act at SonRise Music Festival in Virginia Beach

A SonRise baptism National Quartet Convention

FAITH COUNTRY AND BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL WILLIAMSTOWN, KENTUCKY

Kick off the summer with faith-filled country and bluegrass music, hosted at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. An offshoot of the popular 40 Days and 40 Nights of Gospel (another musical mainstay of the Ark Encounter, held during August and September at the park) Faith Country and Bluegrass Music Festival features country and bluegrass artists from around the United States, as well as some local Kentucky talent performing rousing music with faith-based lyrics.

“This is the second year that we have done the Faith Country Festival,” said Vonda Armstrong, director of media for Singing News Magazine, which organizes the event. “We added bluegrass this year. We were already doing 40 Days and 40 Nights of Gospel Music in the park and saw that many people who were coming to see the ark loved the faith country music. We had Ricky Skaggs and Jimmy Fortune. People loved that faith country style, so we decided to do a week-long Faith Country and Bluegrass this year.”

This family-friendly festival is free with admission to the Ark Encounter — an exhibit and museum with a show-stopping full-sized replica of Noah’s Ark, built according to biblical dimensions.

Group planners and churches will be happy to offer a variety of activities as their travelers are free to enjoy music throughout the day as well as experience the majesty of the ark.

The Ark Encounter is located in the grasslands of Grant County, halfway between Cincinnati and Lexington. Planners will find plenty of hotels within 20 minutes of the Ark Encounter.

answersingenesis.org

By Maysa Oakly, courtesy Northwestern Media

By Danielle Mirovich, courtesy Singing News

By Danielle Mirovich, courtesy Singing News

Faith Country Music Festival in Kentucky

A performer diving into the crowd at Hills Alive

Hills Alive in Rapid City

A Faith Country performance

HILLS ALIVE RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

Hills Alive is a 35-year-plus institution in the Black Hills region of South Dakota.

“By making it free in a high tourism area, it’s an outreach opportunity for people to invite friends and people who may not know the Lord to encounter Jesus for the first time,” said Tanya Eiklor, station manager for KSLT 107.1, the presenting organization.

Rapid City, South Dakota, welcomes some 25,000 people to the festival each day. Hills Alive takes place in downtown Memorial Park, overlooking Memorial Pond. Bring a lawn chair and plenty of sunscreen.

“The most talked about group this year is For King and Country,” Eiklor said. “They are a Hills Alive favorite.” The full 2023 lineup also includes Blessing Offor, Rhett Walker, Colton Dixon, Sanctus Real and more.

Food and merchandise vendors are plenty.

“What we hear most is how much people appreciate being able to bring their family together to collectively worship with other believers throughout the park throughout the weekend,” Eiklor said. “Afterward, we hear from people who feel rejuvenated and renewed in their walk, and they’re just excited to carry that feeling as they go forward.”

July in Rapid City is predictably very warm. Lean on the Rapid City CVB and plan for plenty of sunshine. hillsalive.com

Grammy and Dove Award Winning Artist Jason Crabb

By Maysa Oakly, courtesy Northwestern Media

HEARTLAND

DISCOVER THE ICONIC MUSEUMS OF THE MIDWEST

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Some of America’s most iconic museums make their homes in the Midwest.

America’s Heartland is blessed with several signature museums that cater to group travelers. The Henry Ford in Michigan and the Field Museum in Chicago immerse visitors in history. The Milwaukee Museum of Art features breathtaking art architecture. And the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the National Blues Museum in St. Louis detail the evolution of two of America’s most beloved musical genres.

Here are five museums to include on your group’s next trip to the Heartland.

The Henry Ford in Dearborn details the history of one of America’s iconic automobile brands.

Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Night

ON EXHIBIT

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CLEVELAND

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s mission is to engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock ’n’ and roll. It does that through its immersive exhibits and award-winning educational programs. Groups wishing to visit the Cleveland museum between Memorial Day and Labor Day are almost guaranteed to see a live performance of some kind.

Every year, the Hall of Fame inducts a new class of musicians that are included in their own museum exhibit. Other displays tell the story of rock ’n’ roll’s importance to Civil Rights, women’s rights and the green movement. Groups can learn about the Pioneers of Rock, including Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley; catch a show on the Klipsch Stage; or learn about life on the road in the Backstage Stories exhibit. The Garage space re-creates that organic beginning of anyone’s musical experience by offering lessons on how to play guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and drums. The museum hosts a house band in the Garage space every day, so visitors have a chance to jam with them.

Group visitors can participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt that gives teams 30 minutes to answer 20 questions that can only be found among the museum’s exhibits. Another program, Voice Your Choice, gives groups a chance to make a case for who they’d like to induct into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If groups are interested in a particular artist, the museum will bring in an expert to give them a behind-the-scenes experience.

rockhall.com

THE HENRY FORD DEARBORN, MICHIGAN

Groups could spend a few days exploring the Henry Ford complex, which includes the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and the Giant Screen Experience. The organization gives visitors a chance to learn about U.S. history, American culture and innovation, from stepping inside the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to exploring flight innovations beginning with the Wright brothers or touring the inside of Buckminster Fuller’s circular Dymaxion House.

Greenfield Village encompasses 80 acres of ingenuity. Visitors can step into the lab where Thomas Edison dreamed up the lightbulb or the workshop where the Wright brothers designed the first flying machine. Options include walking through four working farms or learning about the life of Henry Ford from childhood through his creation of the Model T. Liberty Craftworks, a maker community, allows visitors to watch skilled artisans re-creating American handcrafts using authentic techniques.

The Ford Rouge Factory Tour begins with a movie about the history of Ford Motor Company in the Legacy Theater. The Manufacturing Innovation Theater offers a multisensory tour of how the new aluminum body Ford F-150 truck is produced, including 3D projection mapping, vibrating seats and gusts of wind. The Giant Screen Experience offers daily films, including 3D movies.

Groups of 20 or more receive discounted pricing. Most group packages include visits to two attractions at the Henry Ford, as well as a meal.

thehenryford.org

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

MILWAUKEE

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an architectural wonder and features a rich collection of art, from antiquities to contemporary, that appeal to visitors of all ages. Established in 1888, the museum moved to the shore of Lake Michigan in 1957. In 2001, it opened the Quadracci Pavilion, a sculptural addition to the museum that created a cathedral-like space with a 90-foot-high glass ceiling and the Burke Brise Soleil, a moveable sun screen with a 217-foot wingspan that unfolds and folds twice daily. The Reiman Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge that connects the museum to the city.

The museum is known for its collection of American decorative arts; modern and contemporary collections;

Courtesy The Henry Ford

Courtesy The Henry Ford Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF Courtesy Milwaukee Art Museum

The Henry Ford

The Rock Hall on Cleveland’s waterfront Milwaukee Art Museum

and works of German Expressionism. It also has one of the best Haitian collections in the world. The art museum prides itself on being family friendly, with a central core that includes drop-in studio space for hands-on activities.

There are 32,000 objects in the museum’s collections and about 2,000 of those on display at any given time. Groups can book self-guided audio tours or docentled tours that highlight the building’s architecture, most popular exhibits or special exhibitions. A popular group option includes a guided tour with a docent, some free time to explore and then lunch in the museum’s café. Outside, visitors can explore the museum grounds that include gardens, plazas and fountains. mam.org

NATIONAL BLUES MUSEUM ST. LOUIS

A cultural gem located in the heart of St. Louis, the National Blues Museum tells the history of blues music and the influence it had on many genres of American music, starting with its roots in Africa to contemporary music today. It also discusses the pivotal role race played in America.

“Blues is a Black art form,” said Erin Simon, president and CEO of the museum. Visitors love learning about the musicians responsible for the evolving blues music but many “don’t realize R&B means rhythm and blues. So many musicians were influenced by the blues. There’s something for everybody.”

The museum exhibits include digital interactives, photo opportunities for families and an indoor music venue, the Legends Room, where local and national artists perform blues, R&B, soul and funk. There’s a room where visitors can write their own blues song and a jug band room where they can play along with musicians performing on screen. The museum is close to many of the city’s top tourist attractions and adjacent to Sugarfire Smoke House, one of the city’s most popular barbecue restaurants.

Every Saturday during the summer, the museum hosts Blues on the Block, where visitors can have a picnic and enjoy live music.

The museum offers group discounts and guided tours. Museum educators are available to do presentations or give lectures, starting with Blues 101. The museum can also organize box lunches from Sugarfire and private concerts for groups. nationalbluesmuseum.org

By Lucy Hewett, courtesy The Field Museum

By Lucy Hewett, courtesy The Field Museum

By Martin Baumgaertner, courtesy The Field Museum

An interactive exhibit at the Field Museum

Inside the Field Museum’s Stanley Field Hall

The Field Museum’s famous T-rex “Sue”

Courtesy Milwaukee Art Museum

Courtesy National Blues Museum

An exhibit at the National Blues Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum’s stunning atrium

“BLUES IS A BLACK ART FORM [AND MANY] DON’T REALIZE R&B MEANS RHYTHM AND BLUES. SO MANY MUSICIANS WERE INFLUENCED BY THE BLUES. THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.”

ERIN SIMON, NATIONAL BLUES MUSEUM

THE FIELD MUSEUM CHICAGO

Considered one of the best natural history museums in the country, Chicago’s Field Museum has 35 permanent exhibits, including SUE, the world’s largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever found, and Discover Ancient Egypt, which displays 23 mummies inside a re-created Egyptian tomb. Group visitors can step inside a full-size replica of a Pawnee earth lodge in Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories or gaze in awe at the Grainger Hall of Gems and the Hall of Jades.

Other exhibits include the Lions of Tsavo; Ancient Americas, which gives insight into the Aztec Empire; or Evolving Planet, where dinosaurs, woolly mammoths and giant sloths roam. The museum’s latest addition to its already impressive dinosaur collection is Maximo, a titanosaur, which at over two stories tall is considered the largest dinosaur ever discovered.

The museum hosts special ticketed exhibitions every year. First Kings of Europe is on exhibit until January 2024. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounted ticket prices. The museum also offers Field to Table catering options for purchase, including gourmet boxed or bagged lunches. Groups can also purchase meal vouchers that can be used in The Field Bistro or Explorer Café.

Early Access VIP Tickets allow small groups of 20 to take a personalized tour of the museum’s most popular exhibits before it opens to the public.

fieldmuseum.org

Courtesy National Blues Museum

Live music at the National Blues Museum