Mobile’s annual Bay Fest music festival recently received a boost from the Atmore area as Wind Creek Casino and Hotel announced a three-year sponsorship commitment with the event beginning in 2011.

Thursday, Aug. 25 chairman of the Poarch Creek Indian gaming board Keith Martin officially announced the sponsorship agreement and presented Bay Fest organizers with a check for $85,000. Martin said he is excited about the collaboration’s potential.

“Bay Fest is a very special event in our state,” he said. “It’s something people look forward to all year and we are really proud to be able to make a multi-year commitment to continuing this musical tradition.”

This October will mark the seventeenth year of the music festival held annually in and around Bienville Square in downtown Mobile. This year’s installment will boast multiple stages featuring 125 acts. In their first year of involvement with Bay Fest Wind Creek is partnering with Miller Lite to sponsor the festival’s rhythm and blues urban stage, which will feature recording artists such as Jill Scott, B.o.B and many others.

President of PCI gaming Jay Dorris said the sponsorship is just one of the important ways Wind Creek and PCI strive to stay active in local communities.

“Bay Fest adds to the overall quality of life that we enjoy in this region,” he said. “We are proud to be part of an event that offers our neighbors and visitors a chance to enjoy really good music in Mobile, which is one of America’s great cities.”

Tickets to Bay Fest, which will be held during the first weekend in October, run $45 a piece. Wind Creek will also serve as a “Ticket Back Sponsor” for this year’s festival meaning tickets may be redeemed for $5 in free play at any PCI gaming property following the event.

In addition to the music festival a Bay Fest 5K and Fun Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 with proceeds from all three events supporting the Bay Fest Music Industry Education Program.