Contact: AR & Co. PR & Marketing, 805-239-4443, pr@arandcompany.com

PASO ROBLES, Calif., July 26, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Cantinas Ranch Foundation announces the launch of the first annual Cantinas Music Festival, a new Christian event taking place at the Paso Robles Event Center on August 25, 2012. Billed as a Christian version of Coachella, the event features a full day of festival-style family entertainment followed by an evening of live performances by top Christian music groups before a crowd of 3,500 national attendees.

The musical lineup boasts headliner MercyMe, the number one Christian rock group in the US with over seven million albums sold. Additionally, the concert stars the sounds of The Newsboys, a GRAMMY nominated and DOVE Award winning band; Building 429; The Groovaloos, grand champions on NBC's SuperStars of Dance; as well as new Christian pop artist, Kylie Hughes.

Cantinas Music Festival kicks off with the Village Festival, held from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., an all-ages village fair consisting of family interactive activities and entertainment from numerous community vendors, local artists, church booths, street vendors, food concessions and more. Among the offerings for children, the Village Festival includes face painting stations, a photo booth and "walking on water" with bubble fun. Family entertainment includes Embassador Skateboarders performing exhibitions and ministry along with the dance crew God Squad and the Cantinas Street Team, and live acoustic music by History of Painters on the Watermusic Stage.

General admission tickets to Cantinas Music Festival ($33) are available online now at www.CantinasMusicFestival.com. All military receive a 15% discount. VIP Lounge tickets (which include dinner and beverages for ages 21 and over, complimentary childcare, VIP seating and a parking pass, $125) and VIP tickets (for all ages to the concert only, $75) are also available online.

The Cantinas Ranch Foundation is currently conducting a national Christian singer/songwriter talent competition named the Cantinas Worship Song Competition, online now at www.CantinasMusicFestival.com via video submission. Entries will be accepted now through August 9, 2012. The top three finalists will perform at the inaugural Cantinas Music Festival and perform live during the day festival for a chance to win a $2,000 cash prize.

Cantinas Ranch Foundation is a non-profit 501(C)(3) entity whose mission is to encourage talented Christian teen and college-level artists to promote healthy family values and interaction.

For more information about Cantinas Music Festival, visit www.CantinasMusicFestival.com.