Founded in 1980, the first festival drew only three bands. Since then it has expanded to a two- to three-day event which regularly draws international artists such as Skillet, Icon For Hire, Fireflight, P.O.D., Disciple, Savior Machine, Petra, Bride, and Split Level.
The festival has spawned a few spinoff festivals. Fishcore, a one-off festival, was held in 1999. It featured European bands such as Noise Toys, Lightmare, and Sacrificium in competition with each other. Legends Of Rock is a best-of festival held closer to Spring in 2007, 2008 and 2009. This festival features international bands such as Bloodgood, The Electrics, Glenn Kaiser Band, and Rex Carroll, sometimes for reunion events.[1]
In 2007 the festival, under the leadership of Detlev and Martina Westermann, took the German Promikon Award in the category "Best Christian organizers."