A yearly tradition for thousands of Christians is making its presence known in Bushnell this week.

The music and faith draws more than 20,000 to the Cornerstone Festival for the week long event of music, art, and religion in Fulton County, Illinois

The Cornerstone Festival ran for seven years near the Windy City, then found a new home near the town of Bushnell...population... 3,000.

Festival Director John Herrin said, "We literally saw an add in the Chicago Tribune. It said 600 acre campground 125 acre lake, we called 17 years ago and bought the property, and relocated."

650 bands will rock the festival, but Herrin is quick to point out that not just about the music, but also about the message.

"There are a million things to do here, there is about 200 hours of workshops and seminars on an enormous range of social issues, spiritual issues, we have an independent film festival, there is sports"

Keith Cook has attended for 10 years and said, ""It has everything life has to offer."

People from all different states campout at the festival and most agree there is a strong relationship that develops at the festival.

18-year-old Dana Winski came from Pennsylvania and said, "I just love that everyone is like so together, and everybody is just able to become friends in a split second."

"There is a sense of community that develops here with all these people, so many come back," said Herrin.

Kalab Vanderwiele is another 18year-old from Pennsylvania, who said, "The culture, the bands and the art, that is all represented here and all the free expression that goes along with it."

Leaders say Cornerstone lives up to it's name, strengthening christian faith and fostering friendships.

The festival runs through Saturday and the dates are already set for next year's event. It will run June 31 through July 5.