WE MAY only be three days into our 10-day Country Music Festival, but already it’s shaping up to be one of the best in its 45-year history.
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Thousands of people traipsed along Peel Street listening to buskers and packed out pubs, clubs and every other venue across the city over the weekend to catch their favourite artists.
By mid-morning Sunday, hundreds of camp chairs had staked their claims at Bicentennial Park ahead of the Star Maker concert that night.
The talent competition, responsible for launching the careers of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Kasey Chambers, saw 10 hopefuls battle it out on the main stage in front of a crowd from all corners of the country and abroad.
Tamworth Regional Council country music and events manager Barry Harley said initial reports suggest there were more people than previous years rolling out to the annual festival that stops the city.
“Early reports suggest there seems to be more people around,” Mr Harley said.
“We haven’t been able to substantiate that but numbers at Fanzone indicate there was a significant increase on the first day, maybe up 10 per cent.”
The festival officially kicked off at Bicentennial Park on Friday night.
Despite the onslaught of heavy rain, transforming the park into a colourful kaleidoscope of umbrellas, music won out and thousands stuck around.
“Our initial impression, from the sludgey opening concert, there were thousands of people who still braced it,” Mr Harley said.
“There was still 200 or 300 people at the end of the concert, so it was great to see the die-hards still there and everyone enjoying it.”
Mr Harley said venues and artists had both reported strong crowds across the opening days – and that it was only going to get busier.
“Overall we’re really excited about another successful festival,” Mr Harley said.
“Our main aim is to not make it bigger, but make sure it’s a very positive experience for everyone.
“We’re just really welcoming our visitors to town and hope their experience is all they want it to be.”