TAMWORTH is set to return to business as usual today after the curtains closed on the 2015 country music festival, but a hot debate is expected to continue as official reviews of the event begin this week.
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The majority of festivalgoers left in droves yesterday, though a large cohort vacated on Sunday and some grey nomads chose to stay a little longer to avoid the traffic.
Among the topics in the post-mortem from this year’s festival will be the contentious opening of Brisbane St, the new bus system, taxi delays and a so-called lack of activity on Peel St.
City Lights Caravan Park owner Gary Norris said feedback from stalwart festivalgoers who had been attending for 15 or 20 years indicated disappointment at this year’s busking scene.
“What they told me was that they missed the old style, where buskers used to be the main attraction,” Mr Norris said.
“Traditionally, the main street was the focus point, but we seem to be moving way from that.”
Austin Tourist Park owner Christine Edwards said feedback from guests was that while Brisbane St made the traffic flow better, it posed problems for pedestrians, and many complained about the bus set-up.
“There weren’t as many buskers and acts happening in the main street – it was very dead this year,” Mrs Edwards said.
“It didn’t have that festival sort of vibe.”
But former X Factor entrant and first-time Tamworth busker Tim Rossington said the atmosphere was “inspiring”.
“It was awesome, I loved it. I walked down the main strip to soak in the vibe. I was astounded by how many buskers there were raising money for charity, or to get themselves home or to fund the CDs they made.”
Inland Cafe owner Kristy Sollars, whose business lies at the heart of the festival’s Peel St activity, estimated a 15 per cent rise in business.
She said the cooler weather had seen fewer people flocking to airconditioned cafes.
Marker’s Bakery owner Maree Tumeth said her side of Brisbane St was “very disappointing” and she estimated a 50 per cent drop in business during this year’s festival.
“This is the worst it’s been in 20 years,” Mrs Tumeth said.
Festival organiser John Sommerlad said this year had been “a huge success” and now the party was over, public discussions and consultations would be held to map out next year’s event.