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It's billed as the biggest four-day Christian music festival outside the United States, and this year Parachute is expected to be bigger than ever - but still modest.
Organisers are anticipating a record crowd of 30,000 at Mystery Creek, just outside Hamilton.
As Parachute is based on Christian ideals, it's no ordinary concert. Festival-goers are expected to dress soberly, alcohol is prohibited and although tenting is popular, there will be no boy-girl sharing unless the occupants are married.
This is the 16th Parachute Festival and the fourth to be held at Mystery Creek. The bill is made up of 100 bands on seven stages, with headline act Third Day, the biggest Christian band in the world. Canadian band Thousand Foot Krutch share the limelight with local hip-hop acts Nesian Mystik and Rapture Ruckus, and Australian band the Valley.
The gates opened yesterday afternoon so that ticket-holders could get their tents up in time for the opening at 6pm. For all the information you'll need, visit websites.
