WOW Jam: Thousands gather at Coe Park for Christian festival

Forecasted rain did not come, but thousands of Kings County residents poured into Coe Park on Saturday afternoon, grateful for a multitude of free items and services.

Nine Hanford churches bonded to work collaboratively toward hosting the second annual WOW Jam, or Winning Our World Christian Festival. Music by Christian artists blared over the speakers as attendees milled about booths offering free lunches, free groceries, free bike repair, free family portraits and free haircuts, among other services.

Bruce Kane, lead pastor at Hanford's Epic Church, said Friday he hoped people "experienced God's love" at the festival through the generosity and the hospitality of the people involved.

"I'm very excited for the response of the community to the event," Kane said. "I am very excited to see so many churches work together for a common cause."

For Hanford's first WOW Jam last year, churches expected about 1,500 people to attend. But about 4,000 people showed up. On Saturday, Jeff Acton, a pastor at Koinonia Church, said attendance was similar to last year, but "maybe not quite as big."

"We love this community," Acton said of the reason for holding the WOW Jam. "We want to express that love in practical ways."

Brenda Clegg, a member at Koinonia Church, passed out hot dogs and juice at the festival. She said she believed the event was good to have because everything was free "for whoever needs it, no questions asked."

"There's a need for it," Clegg said. "A need to bring the community together and spread the word of the Lord."

Stephen Tavani, president of Winning Our World International, took the stage with his wife, Linda -- formerly Peaches of Peaches and Herb. Tavani mentioned the economic recession.

"It's kind of tough these days," Tavani said to the crowd gathered in front of the stage. "But no matter how bad it gets, we all have something to be thankful for."

Among things to be thankful for at the outdoor festival, Tavani mentioned the lack of rain.

Many people who attended said they were thankful for all of the free things.

Ramona Moreno, a Hanford resident, said the free food and music drew her in. She said she attended last year and thought it was a necessary event for the community because it "gets everybody together."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(May 3, 2009)