Spirit West Coast is here to stay.
Jon Robberson of Celebration Concerts says he doesn¹t have a long-term contract, but that the Del Mar Fair likes the event and he likes the location.
³I think we¹re a fixture,² he said of the annual Memorial Day weekend festival that first came to San Diego in 2004. ³We¹re going to be here a long, long time.²
This year¹s event will be on Friday, May 25, through Sunday, May 27. Headlining the festival are Third Day, tobyMac and the Newsboys.
Third Day last appeared at SWC in 2005, when they delivered a rousing event finale concert on closing night. tobyMac was last at Del Mar in the first year, so needless to say, his return is way overdue. The former dcTalk frontman continues to carve innovative paths in Christian music with a signature style, urban-meets-hip-hop-meets-pop sound. His new album is ³Portable Sounds² and it has already produced a No. 1 song called ³Made to Love.²
tobyMac will be headlining opening night, May 25, preceded by another act making big career waves — Hawk Nelson. This is the first time tobyMac has headlined a night at SWC, and he¹s up for it!
Third Day was formed in Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee and their popularity has continued to grow.
The Newsboys from Australia are one of the more media-exposed Christian rock bands of the 90s, formed around a core of John James, Peter Furler, and Philip Urry. Their hits range from rock to worship.
Other major artists during the festival include BarlowGirl, delirious?, Kutless, Todd Agnew, Salvador, MXPX, Starfield, Margaret Becker, Casting Pearls and many others. Robberson predicted another of the 40 artists in the line-up, Aaron Shust, would have the song-of-the-year for 2007, ³My Savior, My God.²
In addition to the music, there is an outstanding group of speakers and teachers, including Miles McPherson, Josh McDowell, Mark Mittelberg, Bob Lenz, Margaret Becker and Crystal Miller, a survivor of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.
Robberson said the ³No. 1 smash hit from last year,² illusionist Brock Gill, would also be back. Comedy will also be returning in 2007, led by Bob Smiley, Thor Ramsey and Ron McGehee.
Team Faith, an incredible team of freestyle motorcycle riders will return this year. They presented a popular action-packed show in 2004 and 2005.
The Children¹s area and activities will include clowns, bounce houses, crafts, face painting, a petting zoo, children¹s shows and Bob & Larry of VeggieTales.
There will be pre-sales of reserved seating in the Air 1 Grandstand Stage and for the first time, seats will be sold in advance through the box office and online, through May 18 (subject to availability). Tickets are valid only for the evening shows, 5-10 p.m., and are $7 each (per day), in addition to festival admission.
The festival offers several ticket packages, including the option of camping. For more information, visit www.spiritwestcoast.org or call (831) 443-5399.
Spirit West Coast also presents its festival in Monterey on Aug. 2-4.
