Dynamic Jewels member Angela Frieson, left, performs with Tammy Reliford, Teresa Miller and Shaqueena Miller Saturday at the Artesia Gospel Festival. More than 100 community members came to celebrate Saturday afternoon in downtown Artesia. The gospel festival was part of the 27th annual Artesia Day Festival, which began July 17 and will end Aug. 2. The gospel festival featured a fish fry, a raffle, food vendors and multiple live performances by local musicians. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Teddy B., left, performs alongside Armondo Adams and Gerald Smith Saturday evening at the Artesia Gospel Festival. This is the second year the Columbus-based band, Redemption, has performed at the festival. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Rená Bush, left, Kayy Henley and Miranda Barnes perform Saturday at the Artesia Gospel Festival. The band, Voices of Eden, has been together for seven years. This was their first time performing at the festival. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Jarius Jordan plays drums for Voices of Eden Saturday at the Artesia Gospel Festival. The only hiccup of Saturday’s performances occurred when the wind blew Jordan’s drum screen nearly off the stage, though band member Rená Bush secured it quickly back into place. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

William Sanders, a guitarist for Redemption, packs up his gear following the band’s performance Saturday at the Artesia Gospel Festival. Sanders said he has been playing with the band for only four of the 26 years the band has been together. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Ruby Lowe and John Moore serve up dinner cafeteria style Saturday evening at the Artesia Gospel Festival. Twana Tate, owner of Southern Elite Catering, said the crew was serving baked beans, fried catfish, crinkle fries and toast. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Ben Harris, left, stokes the coals of a smoker while Keandre Harris and Tony Brown put meat on the grill. Harris, owner of Harris Family BBQ in West Point, sold smoked rib tips, leg quarters, beef and pork sausages and pig snoot. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

DJ Lovebone helps Cleo Sanders set up for the Artesia Gospel Festival Saturday afternoon in downtown Artesia. Sanders emceed the festival and said he has been a part of Artesia Day Festival since its beginning 27 years ago. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Ira Fadela hangs a backdrop on stage Saturday at the Artesia Gospel Festival. Fadela said he has been setting the stage for the festival since 1998. “I just do it when they need me,” Fadela said. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Madonna Williams and Rod Eddie pass out free shirts to festival attendees Saturday at the Artesia Gospel Festival. Williams and Eddie attended the festival with 4-County’s FASTnet service and provided free WiFi to festival-goers. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff