For one hour during the 10th anniversary of the Appaloosa Music Festival, the Skyland Ranch Resort in Front Royal became a glimmer of the heavenly feast. Hundreds of festivalgoers packed into the large white canopy while dozens of others spread blankets and set up lawn chairs on the grass to attend Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Aug. 31.
Featuring some of the country’s finest “roots” music — a combination of bluegrass, Americana, Celtic and more, the two-day festival is unique in its Catholic identity. “This is happening with all these top-tier international artists on stage, but Christ is at the very center,” said Dan Fedoryka of the band Scythian, who created the festival with fellow bandmember and brother Alex Fedoryka. “It’s so encouraging and uplifting, and I can see it on people’s faces. This (Mass) is my favorite moment of the weekend.”
Many families made the short walk to Mass from the nearby campground including Marcus Lane, who camped out for the weekend with his wife and four children. “We absolutely love it,” said Lane. “The kids love coming here and seeing all their friends. We feel comfortable enough to let them go and explore. The entire family atmosphere here is wonderful.”
Appaloosa’s reputation for musical talent draws a diverse crowd, attracting many non-Catholics as well. “This is very beautiful to see,” said Elizabeth Williams, a student at Christendom College in Front Royal. “We’re celebrating the sacraments and coming together as Catholics and I think that inspires all of those around us, including those who aren’t Catholic.”
“It’s a different way of evangelization,” said Angelique Cummings of Charles Town, W.Va, who has attended the festival with her family of four for seven years. “There isn’t the regular debauchery and drugs, and I think people realize there’s something special because everyone here is so nice. They can’t necessarily put their finger on it or but it’s a great way to witness to people who are visiting.”
Keith Henderson and his wife arrived an hour before Mass to soak it all in, and stayed late to chat with Bishop Burbidge. “We’ve come for several years in a row,” said Henderson. “It’s a gorgeous place to have Mass in God’s country, and we’re so blessed to have the bishop here.”
Bishop Burbidge echoed the spirit of Appaloosa in his homily, encouraging Massgoers to embrace all persons with Christ’s model of humility. “We hear in the Gospel today Jesus telling us that one should be excluded from our circle, from our table,” he said. “We have to be mindful of the poor and suffering — those who often feel forgotten. In humility, we look beyond ourselves and we look out for those who need us.”
After Mass, the bishop walked to the concert site, where he spent an hour chatting and smiling for photos with festivalgoers of all ages. “You’re coming together as family and friends and enjoying the beauty of creation with music, dance, good food, and most especially the company of one another,” he said. “How important it is to stop, to walk and to enjoy life.”
