The first annual BriarWOODSTOCK was held August 1 at the Briarwood Retreat Center in Argyle. 

The multi-generational outdoor Christian music festival hosted nine different Christian bands featuring local talent. 

The event was launched with a camp-style worship service followed by a time of food and fellowship in the retreat center dining hall.  The crowd was comprised of both youth groups and families who spread blankets beneath shade trees to listen to the music of Rachelle Fletcher, Planning Yesterday, My Heart's Cry, Clay Jarvis Band, Outside the Camp, Scattered Seed, Someday Sondown, 3, and Floodgate.

"It's an awesome beginning point for the first annual event, not only for the event itself, but for any band that is just starting out on the road," stated Jeff Hamm of My Heart's Cry, a group that has traveled and played together for two and half years.

The event was conceptualized by Briarwood's summer camp Program Director Jon Thompson and was the last event of summer at the retreat center. 

"The idea of this event was special to us because we knew it had the potential to get a lot of people coming together for fun, fellowship, and good Christian music," said Thompson.  

Staff members for the summer camp said goodbye to friends and the entire experience of summer at Brairwood, preparing to return home until next year, with this end of the season celebration that was open to the public.

Pastor Rob Moore, Executive Director, stated that he was pleased with the summer camp which grew 15% in attendance from last year and looked forward to the center's "retreat season" this fall in which both secular and church groups will participate. 

"While our summer time is generally booked with day camps that have been contracted with individual churches to put on what would commonly be known as a Vacation Bible School venue, we also offer a full kitchen with a schedule of Sunday brunch dates that are available to the general public.  We have serviced groups from corporations, to churches, to schools such as the outdoor learning program for Lewisville Independent School District," said Moore. 

The traditional summer camp and retreat center saw 700 kids this summer and caters to family events, youth camps, weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events.

Many of the musicians who participated in BriarWOODSTOCK have both day jobs and ministry jobs, but volunteered to be a part of the event. 

"It's nice to play in a venue so close to home," stated Hamm.  "We have a message the world needs to hear and an ability that God has given us to tell it.  We do everything in our power to share that message (www.facebook.com/myheartscry).  Participating in an event like this is a great place to do that."

To book your upcoming event or find out more information about Briarwood Retreat Center, visit www.briarwoodretreat.org.