Hundreds pack Tamworth's CBD for Festival Parade

Festival Parade

Hundreds of fans and visitors have packed into Tamworth’s CBD as the Country Music Festival Parade wound its way through the Festival precinct at the 52nd Toyota Country Music Festival.

A reimagination of the iconic cavalcade event, the 2024 Tamworth Country Music Parade saw country music stars, as well as community groups, local businesses, sporting groups, emergency services and street performers march along Peel St, through Fitzroy Plaza, and along Kable Ave with more than 280 people taking part.

Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth Manager, Barry Harley says it was great to see the community come together to celebrate what has so far been a fantastic 52nd Toyota Country Music Festival.

“The original cavalcade was always a very popular event, so to see the fans and the community return to Tamworth’s streets for a colourful celebration of Australian country music was a heartwarming moment,” he said.

More than 50 musicians participated in the parade, including the most decorated artist of all time Troy Cassar-Daley, Graeme Connors who this year celebrates 50-years in the industry, 2024 Toyota Star Maker Wade Forster, Golden Guitar winners, Andrew Swift, James Johnston and Luke O’Shea, as well as 2024 Golden Guitar Award nominees Max Jackson, Lane Pittman and Zac & George.

Tamworth Regional Council Coordinator Events and Operations, Michaela Stevens says in addition to artists and musicians, there was a great mix of unique and exciting entries created for the parade.

“The theme for this year’s parade was Australian, Country, Music, and entrants were encouraged to include colourful costumes, banners, flag and props in their entry to make it exciting and visually appealing,” she said.

“We had over 60 entries this year, with a mix of walking groups, vintage vehicles, utes, convertibles and a Unimog, which is an extreme off – road vehicle used by the State Emergency Service and we had judges positioned along the parade route to choose the best entries.”

Tamworth City Dance Academy was named Best Dance or Entertainment Group, the PCYC won the Best Commercial Organisation or Business section, the Kids Foundation was named Best Sporting Group. Tamworth Pride was named Best Community Group and the Australian Air League was named Best Marching Band.

“Thank you to everyone in the community who took part in the new-look Tamworth Country Music Festival Parade,” said Ms Stevens.

Festival Parade

“The colour and creativity that went into creating some of the entries is something to be proud of and we’re very excited to the Tamworth Country Music Parade grow into the future and get more of the community involved.”

Unfortunately, even though the organisers praised the Festival Parade, many of the viewers were disappointed. They pointed out  very few big name country artists were in the parade and there was lack of country music, either live or prerecorded, to add atmosphere. There were very few marching bands, community groups, and country vehicles in the parade. Very few of the parade entries did anything to decorate their entry in the parades theme of "Australian, Country, Music". The large vehicles prominent in former parades were absent in the altered parade route. 

Thousands of country music fans went away happy with the experience of the Festival. However some lamented how they were disappointed. They commented on how the main street was dead after 7pm in the evenings with the too numerous market stalls closed and no country music or dancing to enjoy. They lamented that many of Tamworth's shops and businesses did not get into the spirit of the festival by not providing any special country music inspired window and shop decorations. It appeared they just wanted to take the country music fans money and not support the Festival. (Speaking of prices, $4.50 for water and $4 for a soft drink is a bit over the top.) This is in contrast to the town of Parkes, where most of the shops get behind the towns Elvis Festival by decorating their windows and shops. I am sure that all the official research will have glowing reports of the Festival, as people tend to only say good things when they know it is official research. If the organizer's could somehow just listen to festival goers chat amongst themselves they might hear a different set of opinions.

Stay up to date on the 52nd Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival at www.tcmf.com.au TCMF Facebook and TCMF Instagram.  

The NSW Government is proud to support the Tamworth Country Music Festival via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.    
* Maddie Kulk at maddie.kulk@c7even.com.au