Rock the River Arrives Saturday in Winnipeg

Sept. 17: Free Event Brings Rock, Hip-Hop and Positive Message to The Forks in Downtown Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Sept. 14, 2011—Joined by high-energy musical artists and supported by volunteers from local churches, Franklin Graham is bringing Rock the River to Winnipeg Sept. 17 at The Forks. Rock the River includes five hours of hard rock and hip-hop on Saturday night, plus a Saturday morning event for children - all combined with a message of hope and encouragement.

"Everyone is welcome," said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse. "Our hope is that anyone who is struggling with questions about life or would like a new beginning will join us for Rock the River."

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is bringing Rock the River to Winnipeg at the invitation of local church leaders. Rock the River features popular Canadian music artists including Thousand Foot Krutch, Fresh IE, Starfield, Flame and The Letter Black. Multiple times during the event, Franklin Graham will share brief, challenging messages with the crowd.

Rock the River will be open to the public and free of charge.

Since 1989, Franklin Graham has held an average of seven festivals each year as an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Along with Rock the River in Winnipeg, Graham's remaining 2011 festival schedule includes events in Vilnius, Lithuania (Oct. 28-30); and Hyderabad, India (Nov. 10-13). Earlier this year Graham held festivals in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Jan. 8-9); Monrovia, Liberia (March 25-27); Los Angeles (June 25-26); Milwaukee (Aug. 20-21); and Denver (Aug. 27-28).

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