The Tribune

Operators at the mega-resort property of Atlantis said they are still reeling after pulling off an unforgettable first-ever Paradise Music Festival, held over the US Labour Day holiday weekend.

The three-day affair – an Atlantis LIVE concert series initiative – featured a number of music’s top-tier artists, including Country Music Television (CMT) and ACM Best Vocal Duo nominated Dan + Shay, the reigning ACM Vocal Group of the Year and platinum-selling trio The Band Perry and the fan favourite, the Grammy-winning and American Music Award (AMA) Favourite Country Band Rascal Flatts. The event was done in collaboration with the leading home and lifestyle brand HGTV.

“We’d been considering a festival style experience since the beginning of 2014,” said Anna Schmid, Atlantis’ vice president responsible for Special Events, Weddings and Entertainment.

“We really wanted to provide an end-of-summer blowout that spanned over several days with many acts; something unique to offer our guests and Atlantis LIVE fans. When we secured the partnership with HGTV, it all started to come together.”

The event kicked off Friday, August 29, and saw Atlantis’ Blu Pool transformed to Paradise Pool, then later that evening Casey James and Dierks Bentley took to the stage in Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom. A CMA Songwriters Series event was hosted at Ocean’s Edge on Saturday, August 30, followed by a concert performance in the Imperial Ballroom featuring Striking Matches and four time Grammy nominee Jewel. Festival-goers then got to change up the scenery a bit on Sunday, August 31, as a concert event featuring Dan + Shay, The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts was hosted at Paradise Harbour.

Ms Schmid says for a first time event, the Atlantis LIVE 2014 Paradise Music Festival surpassed her expectations. “Watching it all come together was awesome. So many of our employees worked so hard and had so much passion and commitment toward this event. The frosting on the cake was a gorgeous night out on Paradise Harbour with three huge country acts, and close to 2,000 screaming fans. I still have yet to see the final numbers, but all indications lead to us having a strong Labour Day weekend.”

In addition, guests of Atlantis were able to enjoy special HGTV experiences throughout the vast property where they got the chance to interact with their favourite HGTV stars.