TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL OPENS

The 51st Tamworth Country Music Festival

The 51st Tamworth Country Music Festival has kick-offed for  10 days and nights of family-friendly fun in the nation’s home of country music.

Supported by Destination NSW, Australia’s premier country music festival has grown from its origins as a one-day event to the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the top 10 country music festivals in the world.

Minister for Tourism and the Arts Ben Franklin said: “This iconic family-friendly event attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Tamworth each year, injecting an estimated $17 million of visitor expenditure into the local economy.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said: “This event is more than a music festival, it is a bucket-list experience for visitors and country music fans from around the country.

“Local businesses have been run ragged over Christmas and the New Year in preparation for the festival because they know this will be their busiest period this year.

“Early signs are very positive with accommodation booked, camping sites filling fast and the streets already buzzing with a festive atmosphere. I’d encourage anyone with a a spare day or two to pack the car and make the trip to Tamworth this year for a great festival!”

Tamworth Regional Mayor, Cr Russell Webb said: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome everyone back to Tamworth for the nation’s largest country music festival.

“After the past few years, we are excited to be back in our traditional timeslot of January and we’re ready for one big celebration with some of the country’s finest artists and up and coming stars.”

Tamworth Country Music Festival runs from 13 – 22 January, featuring hundreds of artists, including performances from some of Australia’s most celebrated country music stars, including John Williamson, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and Fanny Lumsden.

The festival culminates in the nation’s most prestigious country music awards ceremony, the Golden Guitar Awards, on 21 January.

For more information on the Tamworth Country Music Festival and to book tickets visit www.tcmf.com.au and for inspiration on visitor experiences across the New England region go to www.visitnsw.com.

*Source: Destination NSW