HALLOWEEN was all over the world and in Tamworth it captured the minds and the dress-up sense of scores of party players.
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Strumming skeletons and guitar-toting ghouls hijacked the stage on Wednesday night for a Halloween-inspired Pickin' Pen at one of the biggest events.
Tamworth's monthly songwriter's night of originals took on a decidedly spooky flavour at the Hog's Breath Cafe with about 20 songwriters playing to a packed house.
The event, which has run for almost four years at its current venue, continues to unearth major talent, according to organiser and country music identity Lawrie Minson.
"Nashville has the Bluebird Cafe and we want the Pickin' Pen to get that reputation throughout Australia," Mr Minson said.
"This is something quite authentic and great for the image of Tamworth.
"Tourists expect to be able to see live music throughout the year here and this gives them that opportunity.
"We've unearthed so much talent ... it's really exciting."
This week, Kirk Steven-Boniecki won the mystery prize with his hilarious take on a dinner date with Dracula.
Judy Smith, Dawn Anderson and Scotty Troutman all won prizes for their fantastic costumes and Mr Troutman also took out Song of the Night with his poignant reflection on adolescent love Diane. His winning song will be included on a Best of the Pickin' Pen CD and he will also perform live on Macca's 2TM breakfast show on Wednesday, November 26.
He is currently recording an EP with Kym Beare and has also been selected for the Troy Cassar Daley indigenous artist scholarship for the 2015 CMAA Academy of Country Music.
The next Pickin' Pen will be held on November 26, with a special Christmas-themed event on December 17.
Around plenty of schools and play centres, even little fans got in on the act. Ghosts, ghouls, witches and warlocks took over Rainbow Cottage occasional care centre while in some stores, retailers set the stage for some freaky fun.
Customers and early morning newspaper readers were scared out of their wits when they walked into the bat-cave like camp of Dunn's Newsagency in Hillvue Rd. The staff outdid themselves this year with their horrible get-ups but it was fun all round for others.
