Since 2013, the K-LOVE Fan Awards has brought together the biggest names in Christian entertainment and the fans who love their work for a weekend full of spectacular performances and events. For those attending the festivities for the very first time, it can be difficult to create the perfect plan for the weekend. You’re bound to have a great time no matter what, but we want to help optimize the ultimate fan experience by giving you a few important recommendations. Here’s how to get the most out of the K-LOVE Fan Awards:
Planning for the perfect getaway means paying attention from the start. Throughout the year, the K-LOVE Fan Awards offers a number of promotions for new registrants. These range from price reductions to floor seats and even to special events featuring popular artists. Basic wisdom in this regard would be that the earlier you sign up, the better the reward. This is correct, but we also want to encourage you to take advantage of a deal when it’s available. Don’t miss out on something great by not signing up until the last minute.
Another mistake you might make during the registration process is picking a room which doesn’t agree with you. Some guests want the cheapest room possible because they have no intention of staying there except for sleeping at night. Others want to relax on a balcony or enjoy a Junior Suite during their stay. Neither of these groups would be wrong. We only want to tell you to pick the style of room which best suits your needs. Also, if you need to change your room, try to do so as early as possible. Changes are easier to make when resources aren’t limited.
Between the many activities and the rooms in which they are taking place, you could miss out on something fun if you aren’t paying attention. By reading through the weekend’s itinerary, you’ll have a better understanding of where you need to be, what clothes you need to wear, and so on. We’d hate for you to miss out on one of the weekend’s biggest shows just because you didn’t check the schedule. That takes us to the next hot tip: Be early if you want to be up close.
With so much going on, you may not be able to arrive early for every activity. You’ll want to pick what’s most important to you and camp out. Maybe you want to be on the front row for Friday night’s Kick-Off Concert or you’d like to be the first in line for a specific artist’s official meet and greet. If there are 2-3 portions of the K-LOVE Fan Awards weekend that you can’t stand to miss, go in with a plan and be early. The only trade-off you’ll have to consider is the time spent waiting at a velvet rope or closed door, but that’s why we want you to choose your battles carefully.
Just as you should read over the itinerary and pick your most desired activities, you can get the most out of your weekend by researching the area beforehand. First, get to know the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel for the event, you’ll want to know about the dining options and the layout of the different wings of the building. You may also find yourself with a large amount of free time on Saturday, so it would benefit you to know what shops or entertainment spots are nearby.
We want you to have a good time at the K-LOVE Fan Awards, but some of that is up to you. If you come in thinking “This weekend is not a success unless TobyMac and I become best friends,” there’s a fair chance reality won’t meet those standards. Sometimes we can develop unhealthy views of entertainers when we should just appreciate they are people like us.
A good way to prepare for the year’s biggest show is to listen to all of the artists who will be making an appearance. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if you forget the words to your favorite song and can’t sing along? Hearing from your favorite bands will get you hyped for the weekend. This can also be the perfect opportunity to find a new artist to love as these events brings together a diverse group of musicians. Create a playlist for your flight to Nashville or pop in a few different CDs for the road trip and get excited for a weekend full of the best Christian music.
One of the biggest draws to the K-LOVE Fan Awards is the ability to rub shoulders with the artists you listen to every day. Aside from meet and greet opportunities, the red carpet is your best chance to see entertainers up close. The only warning we’ll give you is be prepared for a long period of standing in an exposed area. May and June weather can be a little unpredictable, but we all know it’s going to be pretty warm. Stay hydrated and look for shade or a bench if you need some rest. You’ll also want to consider whether or not you’d like to take the shuttle over to the Grand Ole Opry House and avoid a half-mile walk.
When we go on vacations, or even as we travel through daily life, it’s easy for small annoyances to ruin our mood. Whether it’s someone cutting us off in traffic or a barista getting our order wrong, a little thing can create a big problem in our minds. We encourage you to keep a positive and encouraging attitude during the K-LOVE Fan Awards. This will make everything go over more smoothly and you’ll enjoy your time better. That’s not to say there couldn’t be an actual issue to resolve, but choose wisely what you allow to influence your temperament.
Thousands of people come out each year for the K-LOVE Fan Awards, but many people miss out on the fun had at the annual Run for Love 5k. In 2019, the race is being held at night for the very first time. This means glow sticks and other creative lighting will play a big part in the event. The race can also be a fun time to see artists up close, as past years have included appearances by Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, and Bart Millard of MercyMe. Of course, taking part in the Run for Love 5k also supports our friends at the Hands and Feet Project who are doing awesome work in Haiti.
When you have time between concerts and meet and greets, you should really explore the official merchandise store and the booths belonging to our fantastic partners and sponsors. These people do great work year round that we believe matches the heart of the K-LOVE Fan Awards. From non-profits to Christian universities to K-LOVE representatives, you’ll find plenty of wonderful people who can give you information on all that God is doing around the world.
Last but not least, we want to remind you to vote for the K-LOVE Fan Awards. This is the only major Christian awards show where the fans have the final say on who wins. Don’t blow your chance to crown the year’s top performers. Having a say in the process makes the show that much more fun, as you can root for the bands you yourself have voted for. The nomination process begins in April of each year, while official voting kicks off around the second week of May. Get out there and vote for the music you love today!
We believe these are some of the best ways to get the most out of the Fan Awards experience. The only other thing we’ll add is to pray for everyone who is present on the big weekend. Between the thousands of fans, dozens of artists with a platform, and everyone in the middle, this is a sizable group of influential Christian people. Pray for blessings, protection, sound spiritual teaching, and anything else you feel called to speak on.
If you haven’t been to the K-LOVE Fan Awards before, we’d love to see you there. Each year brings back hundreds of repeat guests who are so excited to see the biggest names in Christian entertainment. Find out how you can join in on the ultimate fan experience by clicking on the link below.
We know that making travel plans for you and your family can be a bit of a hassle. That’s why we wrote our own Nashville Travel Guide to help you out. Tennessee’s state capital is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, so come see what all the fuss is about.
