Spring Break
First Cornerstone experience inspires, excites
Ann Reus
Issue date: 7/11/02 Section: Opinion
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Last week, I had my first Cornerstone experience. I really had no idea what to expect going in. I just knew I was excited about attending a music festival of any nature, even though I was a non-Christian heading to a Christian rock fest.
Before the event, I had many friends tell me Cornerstone was the "best thing ever" and "it's so cool; you'll love it," and after speaking with John Herrin, ringleader of the event, on the phone just days before the whole thing kicked off, I could hardly contain myself.
Upon my arrival the first day, my co-worker, Chris Ward, and I entered the registration trailer on the Cornerstone farm, located on the outskirts of Bushnell. After talking with one of the volunteers in the stuffy little room, we both ended up with all-access passes on our wrists for the entire festival - free, on account of our press credentials.
As soon as we exited the trailer, we excitedly began our mission: find everything cool and photograph it and find every interesting person and talk to them.
We promptly made our way to the main office, where we met Herrin and spoke with him for about a half hour. He urged us to do everything we needed to do in order to cover the event to our full potential, and while we were at it, to challenge ourselves and others by engaging in conversation with new friends we met along the way. With his blessing, we were off.
This was Monday; day one for me. Chris, a Cornerstone veteran, gave me a quick tour of the farm, while pointing out the highlights, such as some of his favorite stages, the art displays and the food stands. I snapped as many pictures as I could, focusing on the people and the sights more than anything else. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and giddy at the atmosphere and the attitudes of the people surrounding me. The festival wasn't even in full swing yet!
Wednesday was my day two. The musical performances had officially kicked off the day before and I was more than ready to dive in. I arrived mid-afternoon and headed straight for the press tent, where press conferences with the bands were being held all day, all week long. I caught the end of Starflyer 59's conference and had the chance to meet them. While waiting for other conferences, I headed over to the Encore One stage, where I watched a performance by Further Seems Forever, but was a little disappointed when I could not get backstage due to the overabundance of media present. But, I made my way through the sweaty crowd and snapped a few photos anyway. I then moved on to Encore Two, where I caught the middle of The Huntingtons' set and was lucky enough to get backstage. It was then time for Further Seems Forever's press conference and I fulfilled my duties as a journalist by attending and asking a few questions of the band. Afterward, I felt it was time to escape the heat and head back home.
Before the event, I had many friends tell me Cornerstone was the "best thing ever" and "it's so cool; you'll love it," and after speaking with John Herrin, ringleader of the event, on the phone just days before the whole thing kicked off, I could hardly contain myself.
Upon my arrival the first day, my co-worker, Chris Ward, and I entered the registration trailer on the Cornerstone farm, located on the outskirts of Bushnell. After talking with one of the volunteers in the stuffy little room, we both ended up with all-access passes on our wrists for the entire festival - free, on account of our press credentials.
As soon as we exited the trailer, we excitedly began our mission: find everything cool and photograph it and find every interesting person and talk to them.
We promptly made our way to the main office, where we met Herrin and spoke with him for about a half hour. He urged us to do everything we needed to do in order to cover the event to our full potential, and while we were at it, to challenge ourselves and others by engaging in conversation with new friends we met along the way. With his blessing, we were off.
This was Monday; day one for me. Chris, a Cornerstone veteran, gave me a quick tour of the farm, while pointing out the highlights, such as some of his favorite stages, the art displays and the food stands. I snapped as many pictures as I could, focusing on the people and the sights more than anything else. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and giddy at the atmosphere and the attitudes of the people surrounding me. The festival wasn't even in full swing yet!
Wednesday was my day two. The musical performances had officially kicked off the day before and I was more than ready to dive in. I arrived mid-afternoon and headed straight for the press tent, where press conferences with the bands were being held all day, all week long. I caught the end of Starflyer 59's conference and had the chance to meet them. While waiting for other conferences, I headed over to the Encore One stage, where I watched a performance by Further Seems Forever, but was a little disappointed when I could not get backstage due to the overabundance of media present. But, I made my way through the sweaty crowd and snapped a few photos anyway. I then moved on to Encore Two, where I caught the middle of The Huntingtons' set and was lucky enough to get backstage. It was then time for Further Seems Forever's press conference and I fulfilled my duties as a journalist by attending and asking a few questions of the band. Afterward, I felt it was time to escape the heat and head back home.
