Six Flags Over Georgia hosts Atlanta Fest June 16-18, 2005

June 14, 2004

For the most up-to-date information on Atlanta Fest, visit www.atlantafest.com

Atlanta, Ga. - Atlanta Fest, the South's premier Christian music festival and America's best Christian music and family entertainment value is coming back to Six Flags Over Georgia for it's 19th consecutive year June 16-18. Featured artists include Atlanta's own Third Day and Casting Crowns, as well as Audio Adrenaline, David Crowder Band, 12 Stones, Skillet, Building 429 and 30 more on the event's three music stages.

In fact, Atlanta Fest 2005 artists walked away with some of the biggest awards in Christian music, when the industry gathered to celebrate last month in Nashville.

Atlanta Fest 2005 Saturday night headliner Casting Crowns was the big winner, winning Dove awards for Group of the Year, Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Who Am I"), Songwriter of the Year (lead singer Mark Hall) and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year ("Voice of Truth").

Atlanta Fest 2005 Friday night headliner Third Day was also honored at the ceremony, reaping rewards for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for their most recent release: "Wire." That same record also won the 2005 Grammy award for Best Rock Gospel Album.

Building 429, who will be performing at Atlanta Fest 2005 on Saturday night, was honored as New Artist of the Year.

Recently added to the Atlanta Fest 2005 lineup is Krystal Meyers, the sixteen year-old Essential recording artist, who hit No. 1 on the Christian radio charts this week with her single "The Way to Begin." This is Krystal's first single released to radio proving she is "worth keeping an eye-and an ear-on in the days ahead," as according to Christianity Today.

"Krystal's sound and music is unlike anything else getting airplay today," said Andrew Patton, vice president national promotions, Provident Label Group. "Radio has overwhelmingly supported "The Way to Begin" and we are excited to see strong female-driven music at the top of the chart." Krystal will be performing on Friday night at Atlanta Fest 2005.

"Atlanta Fest is more than roller coaster and Christian rock music," said Bob Thompson, one of the festival's organizers. "Atlanta Fest is the perfect opportunity for a family with teens or a church youth group to experience God in a real-world setting. Mixed in with the 10 roller coasters, three water rides and non-stop music stages, are seminars for Christian living, Bible studies, a multimedia "Prayer Labyrinth", a talent search and even Christian karaoke!"

Each one-price admission ticket to Atlanta Fest provides full access to all Atlanta Fest stages and venues plus all Six Flags rides and attractions. Discounted advance tickets are available now online at www.atlantafest.com or by calling 1-800-783-8839. Tickets are also available at the gate for one, two or all three days of the event.

Atlanta Fest 2005 corporate sponsors include: SongTouch.com, Publix Super Markets, Nature's Own, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, Luther Rice College and Seminary, The Fish: 104.7FM, Dole, Atlanta Christian Family Magazine, J93.3FM, HIS Radio Network, iLife TV, SteelRoots, Youth Specialties, World Vision and Six Flags Over Georgia.

About Atlanta Fest
Atlanta Fest is owned and operated by the Atlanta Fest Joint Venture, a privately held company with offices in Franklin, Tennessee and Williamsburg, Virginia. Headed by Festival Directors Chuck Tilley and Bob Thompson, the Atlanta Fest Joint Venture is dedicated to producing a high-quality family-friendly event that touches the heart and soul of all participants. Now in its 19th year, the Atlanta Fest effort is bolstered by a corps of over three hundred volunteers - many of whom have been with the festival since the beginning.