WATERLOO -- Variety is the name of the game for the entertainment portion of this year's My Waterloo Days May 29 through June 1.

Music acts slated to perform at Young Areana include teen heartthrob Drake Bell, rocker Bret Michaels and celebrated Christian group Building 429.

"The community wanted to bring some more fun, national acts to the Cedar Valley," said event director Jay Stoddard, who announced the lineup at a Friday press conference. "There's quite a range of entertainment this year."

All concerts will be held in Young Arena. Last year, festival headliners played at Byrnes Park. Tickets for all shows go on sale Monday at www.mywaterloodays.org or any Waterloo or Cedar Falls HyVee store.

Bell, with guest Jordan Pruitt, will kick-off this year's concert series Friday, May 30. Bell is the star of Nickelodeon's "The Drake and Josh Show." Pruitt is another teen favorite whose hit single "Jump to the Rhythm" was featured in the Disney Channel original movie "Jump In." Tickets are $20.

Michaels, the festival's headliner, will perform Saturday, May 31. The singer is best known as the lead vocalist in the '80s band Poison and is featured on VH1's "Rock of Love with Bret Michaels." Local rock group Major Healey will also perform. Tickets are $25.

Building 429, joined by Mandissa and American Idol contestant Jason Rich, will supply entertainment at the Sunday, June 1, Christian concert. Building 429 was named the 2005 New Artist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association. The group's latest album is "Iris to Iris." Tickets are $10.

"We think these are home run events that the community is really going to embrace," Stoddard said.

Moving the concerts to Young Arena will help make the downtown area the focus of the festival, said Mayor Tim Hurley.

"This year's My Waterloo Days is a real testament of what you can expect in years to come." he said in a statement. "Everyone comes together with one goal in mine: to provide area residents and visitors with an event to showcase the city, our businesses, our people and all we have to offer."

Contact Mary Stegmeir at (319) 291-1482 or mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.