About 500 people flocked to this year’s event and in doing so helped raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House Tamworth.

Headline act Mental As Anything thrilled the crowd with renditions of their classic songs, such as international hit Too Many Times.

Country Music Festival fav- ourites the Adam Eckersley Band and Streamline were in fine form, while local outfits BLU and the Jimmy Craz Band completed an eclectic line-up.

Ronald McDonald House Tamworth manager Chris Watson said he was thrilled with the community’s support for the event.

He said the final fundraising tally was likely to be somewhere between $12,000 and $15,000, which he described as “phenomenal”.

“We had about 500 people through the gates and everyone had an absolutely awesome day,” he said.

“The bands were fantastic, the atmosphere was great and we raised a lot of money for Ronald McDonald House.”

Mr Watson said the aim was to turn Party in the Paddock, which was held at Kitty Crawford Estate, into an annual event raising $20,000 a year to assist local families.

Ronald McDonald House Tamworth provides a “home away from home” for families of children receiving treatment at Tamworth hospital for serious and life-threatening conditions.

“We were very lucky to actually have some of our families that are staying in the house come out and be part of the day as well, which was a bit of a reprieve for them,” he said.

Mr Watson said planning was already under way for next year’s event and he was in discussions with “a couple” of very exciting artists.

“I want to thank all of our sponsors because without them, this really would not have been possible,” he said.