RCCG Summerfest is a non governmental charitable project organized by The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ireland The name ‘RCCG Summerfest’ means Redeemed Christian Church of God Summer Festival. The festival is held yearly every summer on the August Bank Holiday. RCCG Members are multicultural, multiracial 1st, 2nd, 3rd generational immigrants who have deep roots with their various communities
here in the Republic of Ireland, Summerfest is the Largest African/Irish & Other Ethnics background Gospel festival organized in Ireland, its attendance is from 5000 and is growing on a yearly basis in thousands. In 2002, The vision for "Summerfest" was borne and the first Summerfest Beach Carnival was organized at Bettystown Beach, Co. Meath comprising of 4 RCCG Parishes within Naas and Dublin Area. The aim of organisers was to organize a festival for the family during the Summer to foster unity among all parishes under RCCG, to evangelize the gospel of Christ under one umbrella, and to reach out to the Irish community and his surrounding neighbors with the purpose of socially, religiously and educationally integrating with them. This was to be carried out in a relaxed atmosphere, and since Sports was a unifying social event, the vision came alive. There were only three events participated in at the very first Festival, which were Beach Soccer, funfair and Evangelism. In August 2004, Summerfest was embraced by other parishes under RCCG and the participation increased to 18 parishes. 2000 people from parishes within Limerick, Dundulk, Drogheda, Newbridge, Naas, and Dublin participated. The festival became more structured and the number of activities increased. The Women Egg and Spoon Race, Children's Musical Chair Competition and 100 metres Beach Race was introduced. Also for the first time, colour was added to the theme of the festival, whereby each parish was asked to appear in different coloured Tee Shirts. In August, 2005, Participation in Summerfest went countrywide with 27 out of the 34 Parishes signified their interest in participating, of which over 3000 members of RCCG and their friends were present at the Bettystown Beach, Co. Meath, excluding thousands of fun-seekers within the Irish community who came on their own to the beach to enjoy the Bank Holiday. the now popular and well embraced 'Youth Gospel Music Talent Competition', which involved the youth within and outside the membership of RCCG. The Competition was structured to follow the format of The American Idol with Three independent Judges, formed a panel, to choose the best Youth Gospel Choir/Team in RCCG Ireland. Trophies, medals and certificates were given to the winners, runners-up and third place. In August 2006, Participation increased to more than 4500 people, with the Irish community showing more interest. The County Council, The Coast Guards, The Garda and the surrounding towns supported the festival by supplying logistics, personnel and even ideas to the organizing committee. The Table Tennis Competition was introduced and it was well competed for. By this time there was an activity each for every member of the family at the beach, and an open invitation was extended to other denominations, beliefs and ethnic groups to participate. Summerfest 2007 attracted over 3500 people, cutting across members, friends and relatives of 34 parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ireland, and also thousands of Irish community who witnessed this event at Bettystown, Co. Meath
Summerfest 2008 and 2009 attracted over 4000 people, cutting across members, friends and relatives of 74 parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ireland, and also thousands of Irish community who witnessed this event at Bettystown, Co. Meath
One of our aims is to break barriers which the four walls of a church could bring moreover encourage interaction that Jesus Christ had with the Church as a whole.
