Contributed A CELEBRATION — Performers from across the region participated in Sunday's Gospel Night 2026 at the Berkman Amphitheater.

STEUBENVILLE — Nearly 500 people gathered Sunday evening at the Louis Berkman Amphitheater for Gospel Night 2026, a free community concert hosted by the Sycamore Youth Center that brought together local and regional gospel artists, worship teams, choirs and musicians for an evening of faith, music and fellowship.

The event featured nearly three hours of performances from a variety of artists representing churches and ministries from throughout the Ohio Valley. Families, church groups and community members sat in the amphitheater and surrounding lawn areas, creating an atmosphere of worship and encouragement.

The evening opened with the Friends Vocal Group and continued with performances by Lynzee Ensell, Kaleb Kibble, the Honky Tonk Sweethearts, the Sycamore Flag Worship Camp Dancers, Tree of Life Choir, Evan Conn, MoTruth, Elisha Fletcher, Jovie Kelly, Wilbert Knight, Jasmine Wooden, Ichthus, the Impact Church Worship Team, Weirton Covenant Praise Team and the Crossroads North River Worship Team.

Several performers have earned recognition through the Valley’s Got Talent competition, including overall winners Jovie Kelly, Elisha Fletcher and Lynzee Ensell.

Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center, said organizers were encouraged by the strong turnout and the positive response from those in attendance.

“We were thrilled to see nearly 500 people come together from across the Ohio Valley for an evening centered on faith, worship and community,” Bauman said. “The concert showcased an incredible amount of local talent, but even more importantly, it provided an opportunity for people from different churches, backgrounds and communities to gather together in a spirit of unity.”

Bauman noted that the event was designed to provide a positive and uplifting experience for families while highlighting the many gifted musicians and worship leaders who serve throughout the region.

“The Ohio Valley is blessed with tremendous musical talent,” Bauman said. “Many of these artists volunteer countless hours in their churches and communities, and Gospel Night gave them an opportunity to share their gifts with a broader audience. It was wonderful to see people singing along, worshiping together and encouraging one another throughout the evening.”

Attendees brought lawn chairs and blankets and enjoyed a wide variety of musical styles ranging from traditional gospel and vocal groups to contemporary worship music, praise teams and interpretive dance.

According to Bauman, the success of the event has already generated interest in future concerts.

“We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback,” he said. “Many people told us they hope Gospel Night takes place twice a summer in the future. Events like this remind us that faith, fellowship and community still matter, and we are grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered or helped make the evening possible.”

The concert was sponsored by the Sycamore Youth Center as part of its ongoing efforts to provide positive community programming for youth and families throughout the Ohio Valley.