Tamworth Country Music Stakeholders Group spokeswoman Cheryl Byrnes urged people of the region to get involved.

This is the 16th event and participating venues have more than 100 artists performing.

“There is so much variety that there truly is something for everyone and so much to do during school holidays,” Ms Byrnes said.

“Locals need to take any visitors they have out to catch some music, because this is a good chance to remind everyone why we are Country Music Capital.”

Ms Byrnes said she hoped to see full venues across the weekend.

“We want the venues to benefit, the artists to benefit, Tamworth to benefit and country music to benefit,” she said.

“This is a festival for kicking back, relaxing and less stress – with a little bit of Christmas in July thrown in.”

Tamworth Regional Council business and events director John Sommerlad said the numbers of visitors in the city was starting to swell.

“I’ve been out to the Visitor Information Centre and there’s a stream of people flowing through there,” he said.

“(Country music unit manager) Barry Harley has been up at the Australian Country Music Foundation and was talking to a couple from Hexham who are visiting. It certainly would be a combination of both visitors and locals here this weekend.”

Mr Sommerlad said the festival had audience appeal wider than just the city limits.

“Locals who have a liking for country music will turn up for both events (Hats Off and the Tamworth Country Music Festival) or any other opportunity that arises in the city,” he said.

“It’s certainly gathering some momentum. The collaborative approach with the venues and others working together will always help provide the best possible outcome.”

Tamworth musician Lawrie Minson held a special Songwriters @ The Pickin’ Pen at Hog’s Breath Cafe last night to encourage more people to come out and embrace Hats Off.

“Certainly, my wife’s family and friends that we have enjoy the fact that it’s not so crowded and it’s not so hot,” he said.

“I do know that people enjoy that it’s easier to get around and the venues aren’t so packed, so I think that’s a bit of an attraction. 

“It’s a good move that they’re going to schedule the CMAA Junior Academy to before Hats Off again. 

“Anything that can value-add to the Hats Off festival is a really good thing.”

“I’d like to see produce markets and local craft people doing markets to pack a bit more value into it.”

Fellow musician Allison Forbes said this would be her first real Hats Off to Country Festival in Tamworth, because she was normally away from it all at The Dag in Nundle doing the songwriters’ retreat.

“I will be looking forward to seeing whether the Tamworth audience will get out amongst it,” she said.

“It’s not really that cold, so can’t use that excuse.”

Tracy Coster from the Capital Country Music Association said the weather was much cooler than during the January festival, so it should encourage people out.

“There are also not so many numbers ... I think a lot of Tamworthians get overwhelmed in January,” she said.

“I would definitely think that more locals came out during Hats Off. Even our CCMA jams are starting to build up.”