Palau 'Party' Hits Tampa Bay with Tony Dungy
Let the party begin. The world renowned Luis Palau festival, also known as the biggest Christian party, hits Tampa Bay, Fla., Saturday, kicking off the first of Palau's 2007 events.
The free weekend festival is packed with big names like former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy, whose Indianapolis Colts won this year's Super Bowl; Grammy nominee Chris Tomlin; and multi-platinum rock group P.O.D.
Tens of thousands are expected on the grounds of Raymond James Stadium along with the Livin It athletes from the extreme sports of skateboarding, BMX biking and freestyle motocross.
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But the highlight of the Palau event is Dungy. City of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio announced that Dungy will be receiving the key to the city on Saturday.
"We're declaring it Tony Dungy Day," Iorio said, according to The Tampa Tribune.
Dungy, who has vocalized his faith throughout his coaching career, had agreed to serve as honorary chairman of the Tampa Bay Festival a year ago, before all the Super Bowl talk.
"He's a famous guy now. But I don't think he realizes it because he's so humble," said evangelist Luis Palau, the Tribune reported.
Palau heads into the festival after hosting weeklong events including a Latino rally that drew more than 1,000 people to Without Walls International Church. About 570 churches, including 100 Latino churches, are participating in the Tampa Bay Festival.
"My whole goal is that the whole city be blessed, be happy," said Palau, according to The Tampa Tribune.
The Luis Palau Association describes a Luis Palau festival as "the biggest party you've ever attended," multiplied by 100 or even 1,000, plus two full days of fun, awesome Christian bands, a children's area, world-class skateboarding and BMX demos, and opportunities to see your friends and family come to Jesus Christ, all free.
Palau comes out of several events that drew massive crowds in recent years. Recent festival venues include Houston with 250,000 people; Buenos Aires with 850,000; Washington, D.C., with 100,000; and Fort Lauderdale with 300,000.
Other performers in Tampa Bay include Wynonna Judd, Kirk Franklin, BarlowGirl, TobyMac, Marcos Witt, and American Idol's Mandisa.
More than 550 churches and an estimated 10,000 volunteers are participating in the weekend festival, which will be broadcast live.
On the Web: www.palau.org
