Kinsmen Cornwall Lift Off Headliners
Candy Pollard

Cornwall: There will be no shortage of hits and recognizable songs at the 12th Annual Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off hot air balloon and waterfront festival. Organizers announced Friday that Glass Tiger, Dennis DeYoung (an original STYX Vocalist) and Theory of a Deadman will share the Lift-Off stage with a impressive line-up of tribute bands, local bands and children’s entertainment. Lift-Off 2008 is set to take place July 10-13th in Lamoureux Park, on Cornwall’s scenic waterfront.

"Every year, we feel that our line-up has surpassed the year before and this year is no exception," said Festival Chair Chris Savard. "The bands selected represent the Festival’s widest cross-section of musical interests yet and we are confident that the addition of a tribute band on each night will be hugely popular."

During Lift-Off 2007 more than 45,000 spectators packed Lamoureux Park to take in shows by local acts and big-name performers including headliners April Wine, Tom Cochrane, and Sass Jordan. Organizers are confident the line-up of entertainment for this year's event will draw an even larger crowd to the park.

The Opening Ceremonies kick off Thursday night featuring an exciting line-up starting with Supernatural - a tribute to Carlos Santana, followed by ever-popular Sam Hill, and back for an encore performance are Glass Tiger!!

Friday brings Cornwall’s own A Little R&R, then New Kid In Town – a tribute to the Eagles, followed by The Legend in Black – A tribute to Johnny Cash & June Carter. This strong lineup will be capped off by Dennis Deyoung, an original STYX vocalist.

Saturday’s line-up will also be a popular night featuring Rattle and Hum – a tribute to U2, then local favourites Rub Salt and the evening and the festival finishes with style with Vancouver’s Theory of a Deadman.

All three headlining acts have achieved legendary status, having performed countless shows across the continent over the years.

In addition to the nightly concerts, there is plenty of family and children’s entertainment. This year the line-up for Saturday afternoon will feature the Third annual Lift-Off Idol competition and Sunday afternoon will feature a tribute to Hanna Montana and Friends, as well the Nativity Guard Convention Music Gala.

The entertainment line-up was unveiled Friday during the “Kick Off to Lift-Off Announcement Party” at Rangatangs Pub & Nitespot, sponsored by Corus Entertainment and Rangatangs. This year, Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off will be selling bracelets as the official Lift-Off entry pass. The prices for 2008 have increased slightly to $20 for a full weekend pass or $10 per evening. Children aged 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult attend free of charge. The 2008 Lift-Off weekend passes are now on sale with an early bird discount of “Buy 3 get 1 free” and are available until July 1st.

"The nominal full weekend admission charge, coupled with the high quality entertainment makes Lift-Off one of the best deals in the province," said Rob Seguin, Festival Entertainment Director. "At a cost of only $20 for the entire festival, festival goers and families will be able to enjoy world-class entertainment right here in Cornwall at very affordable prices. You couldn’t see one of these headliners for $20, let alone all three.”

Festival passes are now available at the Cornwall Square Customer Service Centre and InfoPlace, Making Waves, Corus Entertainment, Computer Sense, Seaway News and Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism.

Cornwall Lift-Off was founded in 1994 and has since hosted back-to-back Canadian National Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1996 and 1997. The success of the festival has grown considerably from its modest beginnings in 1994. This year, an exciting assortment of live entertainment and fireworks will compliment the arrival of 25 hot air balloon teams. This year’s festival will be held July 10-13th in Cornwall’s scenic Lamoureux Park, and it is anticipated that the 2008 festival will attract between 50,000 to 55,000 spectators from Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec and Northern New York State.

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