(Charlottetown, June 4, 2009) With the recent announcement of the Much Music Video Awards nominations, Tourism Charlottetown once again proves that they are on the cutting edge of entertainment programming.

Leading the pack of nominations is Nickelback, a band that has headlined the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights stage on a number of occasions. Following close behind them with 4 nominations for Video of the Year, Director of the Year, MuchLoud Rock Video of the Year and UR Fave Video, is up and coming power pop punk rock band Marianas Trench from Vancouver.  Signed to 604 Records, which is co-owned by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, are label mates Theory of a Deadman who are nominated for 3 MMVA’s, including MuchLoud Rock Video of the Year, Cinematographer of the Year, and Director of the Year.  Rounding out the nominations from the Festival of Lights line up is Simple Plan with 1 nomination for UR Fave Video.
 
Not to be out done, local group Two Hours Traffic, who recently completed recording on their upcoming release, Territory, was short listed in 2008 for the prestigious Polaris Award and their hit song, “Stuck for the Summer” is the theme song for the MTV reality show ‘Camp’d Out’.
 
Island favorites, Paper Lions, have been working tirelessly to get a new album out to fans.  No strangers to touring, Paper Lions played over 350 shows across Canada in 2007/2008 alone!  Don’t miss this rare chance to see them playing on the Festival stage.
 
Daughtry, playing their only announced date in North America at this year's festival on the evening of July 4th recently released their latest single “No Surprise” to mainstream radio.  The follow up album to their debut release, which sold over 5 million copies worldwide, ‘Leave this Town’ will drop on July 14th.  Daughtry fans can expect to be treated to a sneak peak of this album when they play at Festival of Lights on July 4th.
 
Festival Information:
 
The Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights has grown from Canada’s largest weekend Canada Day Celebration east of Ottawa to a week long event. This year the Festival will take place June 27th – July 4th on the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront with what promises to be an impressive collaboration of family fun, multi-cultural events, and to finish off the week, the concert series proudly supported by the Delta Prince Edward.
 
From June 27th – July 1st the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront will be transformed into fun for the whole family with all the Festival favourites returning for the Bell Aliant Family Fun Days. Atlantic Superstore Petting Zoo, Peakes Quay Strongman Competition, Children’s Village presented by Northumberland Ferries Ltd., buskers and free afternoon concerts with Always on Stage on June 27th and 28th. NEW activities on the waterfront for the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights include: Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion, SportyKids Fitness, activities with the 2009 Canada Games Host Society. All these activities are FREE for families to enjoy.
 
The FREE Concert for Canada presented by Century 21 Colonial Realty on July 1st line up boasts some of the best local entertainment the Island has to offer including performances by Confederation Centre of the Arts Young Company, multiple Music PEI award winners Meaghan Blanchard, JJ Chaisson, Battery Point and John Connolly and Music PEI and East Coast Music Award winners Grass Mountain Hobos and Vishten.  The Canada Day finale will be the largest musical fireworks extravaganza in Atlantic Canada, sponsored by WestJet.

For the latest chat about the Concert Series become a Festival of Lights Facebook Fan, follow us on http://www.twitter.com/festivallights   or watch us on http://www.youtube.com/festivaloflightspei . For further details about the festival call the Aliant Festival Hotline at 1-800-955-1864 or visit http://www.festivaloflightspei.com/ .
 
For the first time in Festival history VIP Passes are now available to the general public.  Licensed weekend VIP passports are only $199 and un-licensed weekend VIP passports are only $139, both are subject to taxes and a $2 service fee.  General admission weekend passports are only $79 plus taxes and a $2 service fee. Passports include admission to two nights of concerts, 6 amazing acts. Individual tickets to each night’s concert are $42 plus taxes and a $2 service fee. Gates will open at 4pm with the concerts beginning at approximately 5pm each night.
 
Passports and Tickets are NOW available online at http://www.charlottetowntickets.com/ and by telephoning the Bell Aliant Festival Hotline 1-800-955-1864.  Passports are on sale at participating Atlantic Superstores across the Maritimes; and at the Charlottetown Visitor Centre inside Founders’ Hall.
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Background:
The Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights is a project of Tourism Charlottetown.  This year marks the 14th year for the Festival. Each year over 70,000 people flock to the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront for the largest Canada Day Celebrations east of Ottawa.

For more information:
 
Corryn Morrissey
Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications
T: 902-892-1935
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tourism Charlottetown and the Prince Edward Island Convention Partnership