Official News Release:

LIFEST SEES 15% INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE OVER 2001

OSHKOSH, WI - Lifest 2002, Wisconsin's largest Christian music festival had an estimated attendance of just under 60,000 over the four day event held July 11-14 - an increase of approximately 15% over 2001. The weather, the bands, the speakers, the activities, and especially the people, all came together for a successful year. Attendees drove to Oshkosh specifically for Lifest from as far away as Arizona, Florida and Canada. Some even came from Korea, Russia and Puerto Rico.

An even larger percentage of people camped over the four-day event. In 2001 approximately 1,300 campsites were erected. That number climbed to approximately 2,000 in 2002 - an increase of about 60%.

Improvements to the festival also enhanced attendance. Extreme Motocross Freestyle professionals, Dean Lavelle and Greg Hartman thrilled grandstand audiences with their jumps and tricks. And Sheila, a single mother, saw her home constructed right on sight with the Habitat for Humanity project. Many attendees mentioned that the Saturday night fireworks were the best display they had ever seen. Once again, Grammy award winning artists like Jars of Clay, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac and others, performed before a crowd of thousands at one of the 7 stages. And seminars and speakers' presentations hosted the largest crowds ever.

Food and merchandise vendors were also more diverse. A better selection was appreciated by festival-goers. Dippin' Dots, a popular vendor, served up approximately 8,000 servings of their "ice cream of the future."

Some surprises at the festival... Darrell Evans, a popular worship leader, started out the event on Thursday with an unscheduled impromptu service as people arrived. Greg Long made an unexpected appearance as he stepped in for Michael, one-fourth of the popular group, Avalon, who was unable to make it to the festival. Point of Grace, unarguably the most successful female group in Christian music, went on the stage on Sunday. Three of the four ladies were 8 months pregnant, yet still belted out their music to the standing-room only crowd in the Expo building.

Response from attendees can be seen on the Lifest Web site's guest book. Already, people are posting their experience for viewing. One festival-goer put it this way...

"I just got back from Lifest, and I had the best time of my life... I just want to say thanks for putting something like this on. It really touches a lot of people, whether it's through the music, the speakers, or just a smile from the people there. I don't think that I could ask for anything more!"