The day starts with KidzFest at 10:00 a.m. – two hours of family fun led by children’s entertainers (including singers, dancers and a magician) – on the Scotiabank Stage.

From 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., popular Christian rock and hip-hop bands take the stage. There will be Canadian acts Thousand Foot Krutch, Fresh IE and Starfield, plus Flame and The Letter Black. Between these acts will be brief, challenging messages from Franklin Graham, son of famed Christian evangelist Billy Graham.

Admission to all Rock the River events is free, the media is welcome to attend and complete media kits will be available on-site.

Interviews with artists can be arranged through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada (BGEAC), which has organized Rock the River in partnership with more than 130 southern Manitoba churches. Interviews with Franklin Graham can be arranged through Todd Shearer, 404.314.4206.

This is the third and final stop on the 2011 Rock the River Tour. Other events took place last month in Milwaukee and Denver. Last year, the tour went through Calgary, Edmonton and BC’s Fraser Valley, attracting more than 26,000 people of all ages.

For more information on Rock the River, please go to rocktherivertour.ca.

The commercials – among three created by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada (BGEAC) and the Zero Gravity agency – were honored by a cross-Canada ad industry judging panel at the annual Calgary Ad Rodeo Industry Gala and awards show.

One commercial, highlighting young professionals in a work environment, was named the best television commercial in its category. Another spot, featuring three female professionals, earned a merit nomination in its category.

SoulChat is a web-based BGEAC initiative using blogs, videos and articles to engage Canadians in discussions about faith, and to help and encourage them to discover the Good News of Jesus Christ. The site encourages commentary, email interaction with BGEAC staff, and connections with local churches.

“These commercials were designed to relevant and appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds, and these awards tell us that we have hit the mark,” said Fred Weiss, BGEAC’s executive director.

The commercials were initially broadcast during a November 2009 advertising campaign in Saskatoon. They can be viewed year-round on the Soul Chat home page at www.soulchat.ca.

“There was some great work done in Calgary last year, so it is an honor to be nominated and an even larger honor to win,” said Rob Fairhead, a Zero Gravity partner.

About the BGEAC
The BGEAC is well-known for the powerful outreach ministry of its founder, Billy Graham. It is non-denominational – partnering with churches and Christian communities in Canada and around the world to share the life-saving message of Jesus. The BGEAC strives to use language and methods that authentically resonate with people of all ages and cultures. Each of its growing number of ministries – for adults, teens, and children – is prayerfully led by men and women with a passion to share their Savior’s love. Go to www.billygraham.ca for more information.