The Cornerstone Music Festival announced this week that 2012 will mark its final year after nearly 30 years. The founder of the festival, John Herrin and the Jesus People USA Covenant Evangelical Church, told the Peoria Journal Star that the troubled economy, gas prices, and competition from other festivals have deeply affected the financial feasibility of the Bushnell, Illinois event, which began in 1984 and once drew more than 25,000 people. Only 6,000 are expected this year.
The festival will run from July 2–7 and will host around 100 musical groups. Festival director Genesis Winter, who attended Cornerstone herself since age 7, said many love the festival but the cost of traveling has been prohibitive. She even explained to several of the bands playing this year that they may not get paid, but many have decided to come play anyway. “Some of these bands got their start at Cornerstone, playing on generator stages,” she said. “They feel like it has been their event.”
“It’s not without some heartache (that it ends),” said Herrin. “We have poured our lives into this, and we’ve had so many wonderful memories. But nothing lasts forever, and it was time to move on.” Herrin said Jesus People USA will focus on its homeless shelters and its urban ministry in Chicago in the years going forward.
Get more information about the 2012 Cornerstone Festival at CornerstoneFestival.com.
