(Charlottetown, PE - May 14, 2007) - Canada's multi-platinum rock sensation ~ Nickelback will headline this year's Atlantic Lottery Concert Series on Saturday, June 30th along with Staind and Hedley.  Friday, June 29th Buckcherry takes to the stage with Finger Eleven and special guest Default.

This year Charlottetown is thinking outside the sandbox all summer long! Be amazed by the creations of Canada's own World Champion Sand Sculptors, as they create Canada's largest Sand Show east of British Columbia. Having wowed audiences around the world, they will now carve over a million pounds of Island sand into a unique view of PEI. Characters, architecture, history and drama...all at SandLand!  SandLand presented by Northumberland Ferries will open on June 30th during the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights and operate until September 30th. This summer long attraction is expected to draw over 25,000 people to the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront.

“Last year, Sand Scupting was tested during the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights and it was a huge success,” says Kim Green, CEO of Tourism Charlottetown and the PEI Convention Partnership.  “Based on comments in the Walk and Sea Charlottetown Visitor Centre guestbook, the sand art created a definite wow factor.  This new attraction for Charlottetown supports the Tourism Charlottetown’s mandate to develop product for the city,” concludes Green.

The KENT Building Supplies Free Concert for Canada takes place on July 1st featuring 10 hours of non-stop entertainment. This year’s Kent Concert for Canada will feature Hotel California – A Tribute to the Eagles. Plus don’t miss Canada Day performances by: Muddy Buddy, The Canadian Unity Comedy Tour, Cascade, Elephant Rock, Timothy Chaisson, Fugato, the Johnny Ross Band, Slowcoaster and Two Hours Traffic. The grand finale will be the largest fireworks display in Atlantic Canada.  

“The City of Charlottetown is proud to partner with the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights,” says Mayor Lee.  “Each year the festival continues to grow generating on and off-Island visitation for the business community.”

Come see top athletes from the region battle it out on the beach at the 1st Annual Shoppers Drug Mart Beach Volley Ball Tournament on June 30th and July 1st.  The competition will include women’s doubles and men’s doubles on Saturday and competitive quads on Sunday. Pre-registration required. Contact Lynn Boudreau, Volleyball PEI for registration at 902-566-0991 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Be careful to not get splashed at this year’s Extreme Wakeboarding Show. This pool to pool extreme wakeboarding demonstration features professional wake boarders. Showcasing their skills, riders launch from an elevated pool, jump onto a selection of rails where they do professional tricks and land onto the second ground level pool.

Returning to the festival again this year is family favorite, The Aliant International Buskers.  Performing this year will be USA Breakdancers. A spectacular show packed with acrobatic stunts, hilarious antics, and the hottest dance moves set to a high energy blend of disco, funk and hip-hop music. All Star Skateboarding Circus, a spectacular traveling busker show combines juggling, skateboarding and fire pyrotechnics. Plus, Zero Gravity Circus, a high skilled fire masters manipulate flaming torches in brilliant demonstrations of fiery artistry.

Ahoy mates! This years Children’s Village is going to be a Pirate Camp.  Spend hours of fun as you battle your way through winding obstacles, climb to the treasure chest and slide your way out before the pirates discover that you have stolen their gold! Pirates in costume – welcome! And parents play free at the NEW midway tailored to the young and young at heart entertaining pre-schoolers to pre-teens.

Peake’s Quay will again this year host the Atlantic Strongman Challenge.  Amazing Atlantic Strongman Challenge returns with even greater feats of strength to test contestants from across the region. In history, these competitions are a test of strength, endurance, ingenuity and heart.

“Always on Stage” Musical Entertainment Stages will be located outside Founder’s Hall and at Peake’s Wharf will host a variety of local musical entertainment throughout the whole weekend. As well on July 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. everyone is invited to celebrate the diversity of Canada with this collection of world music, entertainment and cuisine at the International Teahouse at Peake’s Wharf court yard.

The 2007 Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights Charity of Choice is the PEI Humane Society.  Festival organizers are very excited about the family-friendly events happen all weekend in support of the Island's only animal shelter.  

Passports are now available for sale on line at www.festivaloflightspei.com or by calling the Aliant Festival Hotline 1-800-955-1864. Passports will go on sale Tuesday, May 15th at select Atlantic Superstores across the Maritimes and Island wide.  Friday night individual tickets to Buckcherry are $30.00 and Saturday night individual tickets To Nickelback are $40.00.  Weekend passports offer the best value at ONLY $49.00 - a savings of $23. Applicable taxes and a $2 service and handling fee will apply to all tickets. New for 2007, online orders will have the option to have tickets mailed out for an additional $5 fee.  

The Atlantic Lottery Concert Series has sold out the last several years. Concert-goers are encouraged to get their tickets early.  Watch your favourite bands in an intimate venue which is limited to 10,000 ticket holders.

For a complete schedule of events go online to www.festivaloflightspei.com

Background:

Last year, over 81,745 people attended the Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights representing an estimated economic impact of $4.8 million to the provincial economy. The Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights is a project of Tourism Charlottetown, and the official kick-off to summer on Prince Edward Island.

Contact:

Tracy Singleton, Director of Marketing and Communications

T: 902-566-2549 E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it