Nampa, Idaho - The God and Country Festival, an annual free concert and civic event held at the Idaho Center the Wednesday before the Fourth of July, will feature popular rock band Needtobreathe and singer/songwriter Meredith Andrews on June 30, 2010. The gates open at 5:00 pm for the 44th annual Festival, which will include a tribute to World War II Veterans and other military service members, speeches from local officials, and other musical artists.
The non-profit event, which is free to the public through the generosity of donors and sponsors, includes the largest fireworks show in the Treasure Valley, according to Carol Andrews, President of the all-volunteer Board.
"A lot of people ask us how we can put on such a major event that draws crowds of up to 14,000 people for free. While we will always keep it free to the public, we do depend heavily on businesses and churches advertising in our 11x17 supplement that goes out to over 22,000 subscribers to the Idaho Press-Tribune."
She says that the tabloid, which is scheduled to be delivered to newspaper readers on Sunday, June 27, is a great place to learn about the event's history and the volunteers behind the God and Country Festival. Visitors can learn more about attending or sponsoring the event at www.godandcountryfestival.com.
"This event started 44 years ago in part as a venue for the public expression of faith as protected by our Constitution. The Founders of our country were for the freedom of religion, not the freedom from it, and we're here to carry on that message."
Meredith Andrews, an accomplished artist on the national music scene, will help continue that tradition, performing her popular brand of Christian music at the event. Andrews has numerous hit songs, including "Can Anybody Hear Me" and "Never Move On."
The Festival is also helping to introduce the community to the heartfelt messages of local artists such as the Music Ministers Band, A Life Set Apart (www.myspace.com/alifesetapart), and Julie Turner (www.julieturnermusic.com).
About Needtobreathe
Needtobreathe (www.needtobreathe.net/bio/) is an accomplished rock band that famously hails from Possum Kingdom, South Carolina. Their distinctly southern flavored style of music has been featured in popular movies and television shows, including The Hills, P.S. I Love You, ESPN, Fox Sports, and To Save a Life. The song "Stones Under Rushing Water" was recorded with Sara Watkins of the Grammy award winning group Nickel Creek, and other hit songs include "Something Beautiful," "Washed by the Water," and "Lay 'Em Down."
About Meredith Andrews
Meredith Andrews is a nationally acclaimed Christian artist with a heart for worship, family, and adoption. Andrews attended Liberty University where she majored in family and child development, and planned on working in an orphanage after graduation. She was born an only child, but her parents provided homes for many foster children. “We had about 20 kids come through our home in a period of about 10 years,” she recalls. “We ended up adopting three of the boys. They are my brothers now. I forget they are adopted.”
Just as God led Andrews to Liberty University then on to Harvest Bible Chapel, he opened doors in Nashville that led her to sign with Word Records. “I wasn’t really looking for a record deal. It just fell in my lap,” says Andrews. “I’m so humbled by it all. It’s obvious that it’s the Lord’s hand and not my own.”
About the God and Country Festival
The God and Country Festival is a free annual concert, fireworks show, and civic event celebrating religious freedom of expression and assembly in America, and honoring the men and women in the military who serve to protect that freedom.
God and Country Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 993
Nampa, ID 83653
www.godandcountryfestival.com
Media Contacts:
David Ferdinand, Board Member: 208-467-1888
Patti Syme, Board Member: 208-573-9300
The Treasure Valley God and Country festival is once again happy to provide American Sign Language interpreters.
Donation to the God and Country Festival
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