Inaugural Praise in the Park hits Newton Saturday

The sound of music will make its way into Maytag Park during the inaugural “Praise in the Park” celebration Saturday.

The event will be a day for rejoicing and praising God from noon to 6 p.m. During this time, local residents will be able to see a host of musical talent perform at Maytag Park.

Among music groups set to perform are The Metz Fitz, Ben and Hannah Sanders, Julie Gwen Zurcher, the Pella Open Bible Church worship team, Storm Seymour and Stephanie Snow and Sounds of Inspiration.

Founder of the Christian Songwriters and Musicians International (CSMI) Gene Schmidt will also perform.

“Praise in the Park probably wouldn’t have happened without (Schmidt),” Stuart Zurcher Iowa regional director of CSMI said.

The plan for Praise in the Park is to allow people of different Christian backgrounds to come together and worship.

“People from different denominations coming together in unity because of what Christ has done for us in saving us,” Zurcher said.

This is the first event sponsored by CSMI in Iowa. This inaugural event is coming to Newton but organizers hope it will eventually make its way to other locations around the state.

“We hope to spread it throughout Iowa,” Zurcher said of the Praise in the Park.

Zurcher said local residents will be able to go to the Maytag Bowl and take in an open atmosphere for worship and listen to a variety of musical talent.

“There is a raw atmosphere of just wanting to praise God,” Zurcher said.

The event is family-friendly and there is no cost to attend.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com