Smithfield, NC - On Saturday, September 25, 2010 youth from Johnston and surrounding counties are invited to attend the annual “Faith Festival” at the Neuse River Amphitheater in Downtown Smithfield. The free concert will be held from 4:00pm until 9:00pm with Christian rock band from Texas, Abandon headlining the event and performing material from their new CD. Also performing will be Flowers for Faye, When Forever Come, Hip Hop Artist - Mouthpiece and Smithfield’s PB&J. Christian Hip-Hop Artist, Lawrence Davis of Inflow Studio will again serve as the Emcee throughout the event. The Abandon performance will start at 8:00pm. The festival is being organized by the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation and supported financially by various churches from across Johnston County, private citizens, and local businesses. “We wanted to reach out to the youth by offering them a very high energy rock type of entertainment but with a Christian message,” expressed Tommy Cook, Youth Director of First Baptist Church and one of the many concert sponsors. “We wanted to make sure that the music was something that would be appealing and directed toward the youth that they would enjoy.” Organizers are hoping that area church youth leaders will encourage their groups to attend the festival since there is no cost to attend the concert. “With the quality entertainment lined up, we are expecting big things,” states Thomas Hamman, Youth Pastor of Cornerstone Faith Fellowship in Clayton, and another concert sponsor. “We are taking the approach that if we can change the life of just one young person, then it will all be worth it.” “We have always felt fortunate to have an outdoor venue located on the banks of the Neuse River here in Downtown Smithfield,” states Chris Johnson, Executive Director of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation. “It is a perfect location for a concert of this type, and over the years, the event has gained popularity among the regional churches and youth groups. Judging from the number of calls and emails my office has already received, the banks will be packed.” A map of Downtown Smithfield and the Neuse River Amphitheater can be found at the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation website located at http://www.downtownsmithfield.com/events.html For more information, to volunteer, or to make a contribution to the “Faith Festival”, please contact Chris Johnson at the website mentioned, or by calling the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation office at 934-0887. ###
