"This is a bit down from last year, but we anticipated this with the new date," Haylock said. "Things went very well, so we anticipate that this will rebound in the future."
Ichthus moved from April to June this year to avoid temperamental Kentucky weather. Last year, a snow storm and cold temperatures drove many spectators home early.
Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater made it out to the festival Wednesday - as campers were rolling in - and Saturday night.
"I was very pleased to see how well and quiet it went," he said.
Rainwater said besides a few broken bones, the only safety problems were due to the 90 degree heat.
"There were air coolers and water available," he said. "(Organizers) opened up all the booths, even during teaching times, so water was always available."
Rainwater said concessions are typically shut down during teaching sessions, but the change was necessary to keep everyone safe. Despite the high temperatures and lower turnout, he said he thinks the date change was the right thing to do.
"I see it as a win-win, its predictable weather at that time of year," he said. "I think once everyone kind of adjusts to it will pick back up."
Despite the temporary loss of some Ichthus fans, the festival gained throngs of first-timers to fill a little of the void. This year was the first for Maggie Williams, 19, of Borden, Ind.
"It's awesome," she said. "It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be, it's just crazy."
Nationally known Christian artists Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Casting Crowns, TobyMac and Delirious? graced the main stage, along with worship artists David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Scott Underwood, Kate Miner and Matt Redman.
Actor and born-again Christian Stephen Baldwin made a special address to the crowds Thursday between performances by Jeremy Camp and TobyMac. Wearing a "Vote for Jesus" T-shirt, Baldwin told the crowd he wants to reach out to young people through a ministry they can relate to.
Attendees also had a chance to do some good for others. Nicholasville resident Brian Bivins set up a booth to collect hair for Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids. Both national organizations use the hair to create wigs for financially disadvantaged children who lose hair because of medical treatments.
Volunteer donors climbed into the stylist's chair and had to cut off at least eight inches of hair, the length the organizations say is necessary to make the wigs.
Three Jessamine County hair stylists, Meg Mathias, Chelsea Neyman and Mickey Houp, donated their time and skills for the event. Houp was there on Thursday to help out.
"I thought it was a good program," she said. "It's worthwhile."
Bivins said 140 people chopped off their locks for the cause.
"I set up last year just by myself and had over 100 people donate," he said. "I decided this year to add a few stylists from the Wilmore and Nicholasville area to help me, which enabled me to talk with prospective donors while they cut the hair."
Overall, Haylock said Ichthus 2006 came and went without any big incidents, accidents or inclement weather.
"Everything pretty much went as planned without a problem," he said, and later added. "The biggest problem simply was the heat and making sure that people were drinking enough water and the like."
