The Lake Tahoe Music Festival, a tradition in North Lake Tahoe, has grown its economic impact to the region to just over $4 million in 2009 and estimates a nearly $5 million impact for the 2010 season.

The figures, compiled by Streamline Communications and Outreach, are estimates based on ticket sales and survey results from the festival over the past several years and factor in lodging, dining and entertainment spend by visitors to the annual festival.

“As a non-profit organization the ability for our festival to generate this kind of economic impact over a three-week span each summer  leaves a positive impact on the entire North Lake Tahoe region,” Lisa Krueger, chief executive officer of the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, said. “These figures, which we’ve kept conservative, are only a portion of our total contributions to the area.

North Lake Tahoe is the destination of choice for nearly 45 percent of out-of-town attendees with accommodations booked in north shore communities including Homewood, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village. Truckee takes in just over 43 percent of out of-of-town visitors, followed by Reno at about seven percent and South Lake Tahoe at just under five percent. Of those visitors, nearly half stayed one to three days, followed by 28 percent staying four to seven days. While the festival draws ticket purchasers from 32 states, 38 percent visit from the Bay Area, Sacramento and central California, a major drive market for the Lake Tahoe region.

The Lake Tahoe Music Festival’s 2010 season builds upon the past two years with a six-concert series July 22 – Aug. 7 featuring America – 40th Anniversary Tour, Wynonna, Natalie Cole and Michael McDonald along with Broadway’s Best and the Simply Sinatra Pops concert. The festival also adds to “Strictly Classical” concerts July 21 and 28 featuring the premiere of the Orchestra Academy and guest soloists and Academy instructors Ariana Ghez, principal oboist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Jerry Grossman, principal cellist for the Metropolitan Opera.

"This summer we’re expanding our programs by bringing in 36 students from across the nation to live and study at Granlibakken Conference Center and Lodge on Lake Tahoe’s west shore for our inaugural Orchestra Academy," noted Kreuger. "The program puts North Lake Tahoe on the map for advanced music studies programs.”

Tickets start at just $25 for festival concerts, or $10 for Strictly Classical performances and are on sale online or by phone at 877-77-CLICK (25425).  Purchase tickets in person at the at the Music Festival office, located at 10775 Pioneer Trail, Suite 210, Truckee, Calif., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the Tahoe City Visitors Center at 380 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, Calif. daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, visit www.TahoeMusic.org or call 530-583-3101.