The largest Christian music festival on the West Coast returns to Monterey’s Laguna Seca Recreation Area this weekend for the 12th annual Spirit West Coast. The festival, which began Thursday and will continue until Saturday night features scores of the Christian music industry’s best artists, including Third Day, TobyMac, and Newsboys, who are headlining the main stage Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, respectively. About 40,000 attendees have made the pilgrimage from all over the Western United States to see their favorites of over 50 artists on 8 stages

The venue stretches out over several hundred acres, including a signing area, worship and prayer tents, and hiking grounds for attendees. Thousands of concert-goers opt to camp onsite at one of the ten campgrounds. The K-Love main stage hosts many of the festival’s biggest acts, but the Air-1 stage has plenty to offer as well. Each evening is packed with big-name artists. There’s too much going on for any one person to see it all.

SWC intertwines their message with every event. Each morning opens in worship or devotions led by one of the bands or a prominent pastor. Throughout the day, festival-goers can also hear encouraging messages from the pastors of various churches as well as from the bands themselves. A major theme this year is the need for change and the necessity of God’s control over that change.

As if the music weren’t enough, SWC hosts several seminars and workshops each day, including classes for new believers and those seeking to renew their faith. Speaker Sean Dunn will present seminars on dating and living a faithful life, while Al Menconi will speak on today’s entertainment and keeping safe on the internet.

Aside from the numerous shows, worship events, and seminars throughout each day, Spirit West Coast offers a wide array of booths to meet almost any need. The huge venue is lined with vendors, exhibitions, games, a skate park, information booths, and charities.

Families and young children flock to Veggie Land where they can find plenty of entertainment geared towards kids, including ventriloquist acts, all-ages concerts, and a chance to meet Veggie Tales stars Bob and Larry.

After the headliners perform each night, attendees can choose between late night comedy shows and some music. Returning comedian Bob Smiley is emceeing the main stage in addition to performing his all-ages comedy routine on Friday and Saturday. Bone Hampton, who you may have seen on My Name is Earl, is also performing both Friday and Saturday evenings.

With all the talent ready and preparations made for this year’s event, Spirit West Coast 2008 is set to be a wonderful weekend for everyone involved.