15th Annual Parachute Music Festival Draws 25,000
The 15th Annual Parachute Music Festival came to a close on Monday in Hamilton, New Zealand, with nearly 25,000 having attended the four-day event.
The 15th Annual Parachute Music Festival came to a close on Monday in Hamilton, New Zealand, with nearly 25,000 having attended the four-day event.
Touted as the largest music event in the Southern Hemisphere, this year’s festival featured over 100 local and international acts including Hillsong worship pastor Reuben Morgan, U.S.-based hardcore act Day of Fire, and renowned British rock quartet Delirious?, who made their first appearance at the festival since headlining at Parachute ’03.
Other highlights of the event included an exhibition from Mary Perkins, Australasia’s only female motocross rider, a full onsite skate park, and a “Rockstar Competition,” which gave one festival attendee a chance to perform on the Mainstage. This year’s speakers included Harvest Christian Crusades founder Greg Laurie and leading Australian pastors Phil Baker and Wayne Alcorn.
Also featured at Parachute ‘06 was the “Great Debate,” hosted by the Maxim Institute, which addressed the issues of AIDS and poverty and the ways that people can help. The “Debate” apparently struck a chord with the attendees who gave over $50,000 to the festival’s offering for Hope Rwanda – a project that unites Christian leaders and churches worldwide for 100 days in a joint effort to bring “the God-answer to the people of Rwanda” this year. The money will be used to build two orphanages in the poverty-stricken African country.
For more information on Parachute ’06, go to www.parachutemusic.com.
