You get a lot of band for the buck at the annual Winter Jam Christian music tour. Eight artists - several of them top-selling Christian music acts - for only 10 dollars at the door, plus a pass-the-hat collection during the event. It's nearly impossible to enter and exit Van Andel Arena for anything else close to that price. But with no advance tickets or reserved seating, long lines of fans often are waiting for Winter Jam doors to open. The jam drew 11,000 fans here in 2009, and lines stretched around the block. Several of the artists perform during a pre-show segment as the crowd is still filing in. The ever-popular pop-rockers Newsboys also perform, headliner Third Day as well as the female-fronted Fireflight and the 2009 Dove Award new artist of the year winners Tenth Avenue North. The event is a good sampler of what's out there on the contemporary Christian music scene. The pre-show artists are the upstart Mike's Chair, Revive, and teen singer Robert Pierre. The veteran vocal band NewSong is host for the evening, and there's a gospel message presentation offered by speaker Tony Nolan. With its accompanying souvenirs and Christian agency displays, the "festival-in-a-box" is a magnet for church youth groups. Winter Jam will no doubt be at capacity again this year. Get your place in line.