Blab Music
Valley Praise Fest 2026: 17th-Annual Christian Music Festival Opens Saturday in Wetzel County
Valley Praise Fest will open its 17th annual edition on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Faith Fellowship Praise and Worship Center in Reader, West Virginia. The free outdoor event will run from noon to 8 p.m. and will feature a lineup of five Christian music acts, including The Carriers, Persuaded, Blood Bought, The Hallmark Quartet, and Johnny Staats Project.
According to the festival’s official website, the 2026 program is scheduled for the hills of Wetzel County, a location that has hosted the event since its inception. The Faith Fellowship Praise and Worship Center, located at 348 8 Mile Road, will serve as the main stage and gathering area for the day’s performances.
The festival’s lineup showcases a mix of gospel and contemporary Christian music. The Carriers, a well‑known Christian music group, will share the stage with Persuaded, a high‑energy Christian rock/metal band; Blood Bought, a gospel‑focused ensemble; The Hallmark Quartet, a vocal group specializing in traditional gospel harmonies; and Johnny Staats Project, a contemporary Christian act. All five acts have performed at Valley Praise Fest in previous years.
In addition to the musical acts, the festival will offer family‑friendly activities. Organizers have announced games, a jump‑y castle, a blow‑up obstacle course, and a cotton‑candy stand. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and festival attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the outdoor setting.
Accommodation options are available in the surrounding area. The festival website notes that hotels and camping sites are located within a short drive of the venue. Visitors who wish to stay overnight can book lodging through local hotels or camp on nearby property.
For those unable to attend in person, the festival’s website provides a link to a video archive of past performances. The archive includes footage from previous years, giving prospective attendees a sense of the event’s atmosphere.
The festival’s organizers have made the event free of charge, with no admission fee. According to the official website, the free admission policy is intended to encourage community participation and to make gospel music accessible to a broad audience.
Festival attendees can obtain additional information by visiting www.valleypraisefest.com or by calling 304‑266‑4630. The website also provides a contact form for inquiries about sponsorship, vendor opportunities, and volunteer positions.
Valley Praise Fest has become a staple of the Ohio Valley Christian music scene. The 2026 edition marks the 17th year of the festival, following the 16th‑year event held in 2025. The festival’s longevity reflects its continued appeal to families and gospel music fans in West Virginia and the surrounding region.
The event is scheduled to take place on a Saturday, which is a common day for outdoor festivals in the region. The noon‑to‑8 p.m. time frame allows for a full day of performances while accommodating families with children.
In summary, Valley Praise Fest 2026 will bring together five Christian music acts for a free, family‑friendly day of gospel music and outdoor activities in Reader, West Virginia. The festival’s location, lineup, and community‑focused programming continue to make it a notable event in the Christian music calendar for 2026.
According to the festival’s official website, the 2026 program is scheduled for the hills of Wetzel County, a location that has hosted the event since its inception. The Faith Fellowship Praise and Worship Center, located at 348 8 Mile Road, will serve as the main stage and gathering area for the day’s performances.
The festival’s lineup showcases a mix of gospel and contemporary Christian music. The Carriers, a well‑known Christian music group, will share the stage with Persuaded, a high‑energy Christian rock/metal band; Blood Bought, a gospel‑focused ensemble; The Hallmark Quartet, a vocal group specializing in traditional gospel harmonies; and Johnny Staats Project, a contemporary Christian act. All five acts have performed at Valley Praise Fest in previous years.
In addition to the musical acts, the festival will offer family‑friendly activities. Organizers have announced games, a jump‑y castle, a blow‑up obstacle course, and a cotton‑candy stand. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and festival attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the outdoor setting.
Accommodation options are available in the surrounding area. The festival website notes that hotels and camping sites are located within a short drive of the venue. Visitors who wish to stay overnight can book lodging through local hotels or camp on nearby property.
For those unable to attend in person, the festival’s website provides a link to a video archive of past performances. The archive includes footage from previous years, giving prospective attendees a sense of the event’s atmosphere.
The festival’s organizers have made the event free of charge, with no admission fee. According to the official website, the free admission policy is intended to encourage community participation and to make gospel music accessible to a broad audience.
Festival attendees can obtain additional information by visiting www.valleypraisefest.com or by calling 304‑266‑4630. The website also provides a contact form for inquiries about sponsorship, vendor opportunities, and volunteer positions.
Valley Praise Fest has become a staple of the Ohio Valley Christian music scene. The 2026 edition marks the 17th year of the festival, following the 16th‑year event held in 2025. The festival’s longevity reflects its continued appeal to families and gospel music fans in West Virginia and the surrounding region.
The event is scheduled to take place on a Saturday, which is a common day for outdoor festivals in the region. The noon‑to‑8 p.m. time frame allows for a full day of performances while accommodating families with children.
In summary, Valley Praise Fest 2026 will bring together five Christian music acts for a free, family‑friendly day of gospel music and outdoor activities in Reader, West Virginia. The festival’s location, lineup, and community‑focused programming continue to make it a notable event in the Christian music calendar for 2026.
