Fierce Faith Music Fest, Maytag Bowl and The Venue & Public House offer live music at Newton Fest

Opportunities to enjoy live music are always in abundance during Newton Fest, but this year the entertainment has been turned up to 11. In addition to music at the Maytag Bowl, the weekend offerings now include the Fierce Faith Music Festival and its lineup of impressive Christian music bands.

Performing at Fierce Faith Music Festival this year is Iowa artist Jake Simon, Christian pop musician Riley Clemmons, a sister duo known as The Band JAREN and headliner Colton Dixon. Tickets are $20 per person, or $15 per person for groups of 10. Kids ages 10 and under enter the festival free of charge.

To reserve your tickets to the festival, visit www.fiercefaithmusic.org. The festival will be held 5-10 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Community Heights Alliance Church.

Fierce Faith Music Festival was founded in Newton just four years ago by Nick and Kristi Cummins, and ever since then the event has continually drawn huge crowds. It premiered downtown and then moved to Legacy Plaza. Last year and this year, the festival has been held at Community Heights Alliance Church.

Of course, there are plenty of other live music events to partake in during — and even before — this year’s Newton Fest. Starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, the city’s free Summer Concert Series at Maytag Bowl will feature the Newton City Band. Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy the show.

Damon Dotson may be based out of Des Moines, but the guy is practically a Newton resident at this point. There is a reason the singer-songwriter continues to show up at Newton Fest: We just plain like him! He’s got quite the fan base and he knows all the songs we like. Can’t beat that.

For any of you detractors out there, just know Dotson is no slouch. He has opened for performers like BB King, Willie Nelson and The Beach Boys, and he’s got a number of original albums under his belt. Like the Summer Concert Series, folks are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets for the show.

Unlike previous years, Dotson will be performing much earlier. The music at Maytag Park starts at noon on Saturday, June 14, which is the same time as many other family-friendly events. So after you’ve worn out the kids at the inflatables, obstacle courses and laser tag, chill out with Dotson at the bowl.

For those who want to continue the Newton Fest party well into the night, there are events for that, too. The Venue & Public House will host live music events both days of Newton Fest. HardWay will perform 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, June 13, while Corey Jamison will perform 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 14.

Let’s party!