Praise Festival to Rock Jilson Square

Willimantic, CT - The Council for Christian Arts in partnership with the First Baptist Church of Willimantic will host the 10th Annual Praise Festival at Jilson Square on Sunday, June 5th, 2011.

The Praise Festival will begin at 1:00pm on Sunday and is scheduled until 7:00 pm. This year, several local Christian artists and vendors will be on display, as well as an awesome variety of music featuring worship teams and musicians from area churches. Groups will be scheduled throughout the afternoon on one of the two stages: The Alpha Stage, which will be located at the center of the festival grounds, will feature Christian recording artists such as Traveler, Further Still and Heart’s Cry. The Omega Stage will feature Christian recording artists, including Sound Judgment and The Core. Local worship teams from several area churches are also participating. Among the most popular activities at the Praise Festival is the Children’s Tent with free games, balloons and prizes for children of all ages. At 3:00 pm. the children will form a parade and march around the square, gathering with their families at the Alpha stage for some “family-fun time” featuring The Great Benefuchi Special presentations and testimonies will also be presented during the event.

All events hosted by the Council of Christian Arts are free and open to the public. The Council is dedicated to reaching out to individuals and sharing the love of Jesus Christ, regardless of denomination or church affiliation. The group organizes several Christian music festivals throughout Windham County, including Rockin’ The Streets in Danielson and SonShine Day in Putnam.

More details are available online at www.ccawindhamcounty.org or by calling Sara Sabo at 456-0239 or Doreen Bolduc at 455-9616.

New England’s Newest Coffeehouse

Willimantic, CT - The Willimantic Camp Meeting Association and The Council For Christian Arts have teamed up to host “That Camp Meeting Coffeehouse" at the Victoria House, located on the grounds of the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association. The event will be held monthly, on the third Friday of each month. And will begin at 7:00 pm.

“We are so excited to collaborate with the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association. Says Sara Sabo, CCA Board Chair. “The Victoria House is a great venue and offers a very inspiring and inviting atmosphere.”

The coffeehouse will feature local Christian artist who are gifted acoustic worship musicians. The first evening is planned for January 21, 2011 and will feature the soulful sound of Sound Judgment, a vocal duo with Frank Tranes and Ron Anderson. February 18th with bring a contemporary style of worship with Miqueas Lopez and Jean Sandoval. On March 18th, Henry and Mark are The Core and are two of the most interesting guys on the Christian Coffeehouse circuit. In April, singer, songwriter and servant, Paul Lanier will usher in the Most High with his musical guest, Maggie Massicotte. More details about each evening are available by clicking on the Event Calendar Page above.

The Victoria House is located on 17 Prospect Avenue, which is on the grounds of the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association at 453 Windham Road (Route 32). All of the events are free and open to the public, however, seating is limited at the Victoria House, so reservations for the coffee house are suggested. The opportunity for a free will offering will also be given. Please call Renee Harris at (860) 336-9520 to make a reservation or to find out more information.