Tamworth Country Music Festival 2013

We have always wanted to go to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. 

My sister and brother-in-law have been for the past few years and we have not been able to go due to work commitments. BUT..... this year we were in a position to attend at least the first few days of the Festival.

We were able to book a powered site, which was good as the weather was so hot. One day was over 42.8C.

The caravan is good - although it is a long walk to the pool.

Anyway, this is what we did......

There are a lot of statues and monuments and historical information plaques all around the town.

On Peel Street there are a number of plaques showing the Festival award winners for each year.

Love these boots - they belong to a singer/songwriter, and she was lovely. We had a slight conversation, but I can't remember her name.

 Jonnie loves noodles!

War Memorial

In the Bi-centennial Park there are busts of Country Artists. As more funds are raised more busts will be crafted. 

Next we went to the Hands of Fame corner in the CWA Park.

 Out past the Golden Guitar is the new TREC Centre.

We went there for the Toyota Star Maker Finals - so good.

Outside the Centre

Not far away is the Longyard Hotel, named after a Slim Dusty song.

 

 "Yes he's lookin' kind of jaded
And his sight is not the best
And the hair around his muzzle's turnin' grey
He has seen a hundred musters
And I think it's only fair
We leave him in the longyard here today"

 Just down the road is a Truck Drivers Memorial.

Back in the CBD, not far from Peel Street, is the quilt shop.

We saw so many ROOSTERs supporters in Tamworth. 

Back in the van park, it was starting to fill up. This was Tuesday.

Our new flag.

Friday was the first official day of the Festival. We caught the bus into the CBD and walked up and down Peel Street. The day was just over 40C so it was very hot. 

Buskers were starting to get set up for the week.

Me and Smokey Dawson :)

On Saturday my sister and brother in law arrived.

 My sister and I sat and supervised.

The next day we did Peel Street again.

There were many more buskers and a lot more people.

 

  

 I loved the mixture of old and new.

Sunday night we went to the Toyota Star Maker final 15.

These are not them.

Previous winners.

One of the contestants - she was really good and I thought she should have got into the final 4, but didn't.

Last years winner and the Blue Grass Band.

The judges had a hard time choosing 4 of the 15, and I can understand why. They were all so good. This is the compere of the show, and also a previous winner.

 

Outside the theatre were a lot of stars for Country Stars.

We had a great time in Tamworth at the Country Music Festival and will go back.

Allison