The stage lights reflected off the finish of a guitar as the sound check came to a close. Audience members waited in anticipation as the lead singer stepped up to the microphone. Finally, the first chord echoed from the stage throughout the crowd — and the northwest section of Albert Lea — as the sounds of rock ’n’ roll reverberated.

Youth for Christ put on its fifth year of Water’s Edge on Thursday, a free concert at Edgewater Park on the last day of school. The concert focuses on local high school and regional Christian-music bands. Free food was provided as well as games and other activities. The event featured local high-school artists and groups from around the state. The event brought in more than 400 young people — some from around the area or former local students. The event ran from 4 to 9 p.m.

Jon Dierenfeld, a youth minister from Youth for Christ’s The Rock in Albert Lea, has led the event since its beginning in 2004. This year, staff and volunteers organizing Water’s Edge sought to make the event more Blue Zone-friendly by replacing pop dispensers with bottles of water and offering healthier food choices. They’ve also heavily promoted recycling by placing many recycling containers throughout the park during the duration of the event.

Dierenfeld noted how the event brings together people who have left the city for college or grown out of high school. “It’s been around for a long enough time that college kids are coming back. It’s a regular reconnection.”

Dierenfeld said the event has become a safe place for students to come and hang out as their school year comes to a close.

Water’s Edge allows local student bands to perform in a hometown and friendly environment — right on the shores of Fountain Lake’s Edgewater Bay. Albert Lea High School senior Nathan Talamantes, lead singer of the opening band Indiscrepancy, performed for his second year at the event.

Talamantes and his band mates performed songs such as “Back in Black” by AC/DC and “Master of Puppets” by Metallica, as well as originals. He was proud of his band’s performance and the setting of Water’s Edge.

“It’s a beautiful day, adrenaline’s flowing through my veins. Out here you get really pumped up,” he said.

The rest of the concert included local high-school rapper Jairo Campos, as well as Albert Lea natives A Sure Reminder. Several bands from various parts of Minnesota also performed, including Bright Light Parade, Pilot for Kite, Hyland, and Children 18:3. Children 18:3 have performed at the event each of its five years, coming from Morris, and have been signed to the record label Tooth & Nail Records since the event began.

“We love the kids in Albert Lea,” said drummer Seth Hosteter. “It’s one of our favorite shows.” Hosteter has enjoyed watching the event grow every year and always enjoys the good turnout.

This year stage equipment was donated by Grace Christian Church, which included stage lighting, large speakers and a live video stage via a big screen television.