Fewer festivals planned

    In comparison to last summer, when Christian News Northwest tallied as many as 12 Christian outdoor music festivals happening in and around the Northwest, the number this year appears to be closer to nine.
     The festival season got under way May 20 with the second annual run of Spirit on the Mountain. Held at the Mt. Hood Village Resort, the festival featured the popular local a cappella group Rescue and 10 other artists and bands appearing on two stages.
    Christian News Northwest attempted to confirm whether several festivals held last year for the first time would return in 2006. At press time, it was determined that Mana-Fest, held last September in Roseburg, and Unity Fest, staged last September in Keizer, will not be held again this year.
    Listed here are the remaining 2006 festivals that are at least tentatively scheduled. By far the largest is the ninth annual Creation festival to be held next month in central Washington state.
    Scheduled are:
   • Saturday, July 1, the second annual SonFest, Prineville. Held at Pioneer Park in downtown Prine-ville, it will feature performances by Darrell Mans-field, Paul Wright, local country artist Charlie Walker and a Eugene band, Calling Simon. It also will have a kids’ carnival, petting zoo, face painting, games and food. 541-416-9009 or www.calvarycrookcounty.com.
   • July 26-29, the ninth annual Creation festival, George, Wash. This event at the Gorge Amphitheater annually draws tens of thousands of people to hear the biggest names in contemporary Christian music. (More information will be published in next month’s Christian News Northwest). 1-800-327-6921 or www.creationfest.com.
   • Aug. 4-5, the fifth annual Whitewater Music Festival sponsored by Discovery Outfitters, Tygh Valley. One day of whitewater rafting (Des-chutes River), overnight camping, and a live, outdoor concert of contemporary Christian music. at the Tygh Valley Fairgrounds, located about 20 minutes north of Maupin, where the raft trip begins. 888-347-1200 or www.discoveryoutfitters. com.
   •Aug. 18-19, the fifth annual Son Light Fest, La Grande. Held at the Union County Fairgrounds. www.sonlightfest.com
   •Aug. 18-20, the fourth annual Freedom Fest, Stocker Farms, Sno-homish, Wash. This is the largest Christian music festival in western Washing-ton. Among scheduled artists are Kevin Max, Seventh Day Slumber, Falliing Up and Sanctus Real. 1-800-965-HOPE or www.freedomfest.org.
   •Mid-August (tentative), the 13th annual PROPER Festival, Kenton Park in north Portland. Sponsored by Celebration Tabernacle church, this features a performing arts showcase and displays of community resources. 503-286-1668 or www.ctoregon.org.
   •Sept. 1-3, the fourth annual Joshua Fest, Quincy, Calif. (near Redding). Featured artists include Thousand Foot Krutch, Pillar, Skillet, Falling Up and Seventh Day Slumber. 877-222-5674 or www.joshuafest.
com.
   •Sept. 1-3, (tentative) the second annual XFestNW, Skamania County Fairgrounds, Ste-venson, Wash. This year the festival is to operate in conjunction with the nationally touring Extreme Tour. www.xfestnw.org.