(Charlottetown, PE – May 2nd, 2008) The wait is finally over. This year’s Festival will take place June 28th – July 1st on the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront with what promises to be the largest and most impressive collaboration of rock artists in the festival’s history.

“Because Canada Day is on a Tuesday this year, the festival will feature three evening concerts and eight amazing rock acts as part of the Atlantic Lottery Concert Series, says David MacKenzie, President of Tourism Charlottetown.    “With a third night added, festival goers will be treated to an extra night of concerts, while the tourism industry benefits from an extended stay by our visitors.”

The Festival gets underway on the evening of Saturday, June 28th with State of Shock, The Trews and Billy Talent. Appearing for the first time in Charlottetown, Billy Talent, a young  Toronto based group of rockers that have garnered tons of industry accolades including Best New Group, Group of the Year and Album of the Year  at the Juno Awards to Best Video and Best Rock Video at the  MuchMusic Awards.  For the past three years, Billy Talent has been one of the most requested bands received by festival organizers.  With a the reputation of Canada’s hottest live  band, The Trews have just released their sophomore album called Den of Thieves and already have two hit singles “Hold Me in Your Arms” and “Paranoid Freak”. The Trews are always a crowd favorite.

On Sunday, June 29th it’s Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Our Lady Peace (OLP) and Hinder. The Sunday night concert is headlined by Oklahoma Rockers, Hinder and Canada’s own Our Lady Peace with an opening performance by Matt Mays and El Torpedo. Hinder recently released a new album called Extreme Behavior and are best known for chart toppers like “Lips of an Angel” and “Better than Me”. OLP is also one of the most requested bands by Festival Fans. During their career they have sold over five million albums worldwide, won four Juno Awards, and won ten MuchMusic Video Awards, including the People's Choice Award in 1997, 1998 and 2000.

American Rockers Collective Soul will perform live in concert with Canadian Rock Icons, The Tragically Hip as part of the final night of the Atlantic Lottery Concert Series on Monday, June 30th.  It’s the Tragically Hip’s second performance at the Festival, holding the record for the most tickets ever sold. With seven  #1 rock hits to their credit and worldwide sales in excess of $7 million, Collective Soul stands as one of the definitive groups of the ‘90s.  The Atlanta based band is known for singles like – "Gel," "December," "Where The River Flows," and "The World I Know" – all of which rose to the #1 spot on the nation’s rock chart. Their most recent hits include “Better Now”, “All That I know” and “Hollywood.”

Passports offer the best value at only $69 plus taxes and a $2 service fee. Passports include admission to all three nights of concerts, 8 amazing acts and a total savings of $42. Individual tickets to each night’s concert are $37 plus taxes and a $2 service fee.

Passports and Tickets will be available online at www.charlottetowntickets.com  and by telephone starting May 7th. Passports go on sale at participating Atlantic Superstores across the Maritimes on Monday May 26th. For more information, call the Aliant Festival Hotline at 1-800-955-1864.

Charlottetown Rocks for 3 Days and 4 Nights this Canada Day Weekend.  Don’t miss it.