COUNTRY music stars poured into Horsham to perform over four days at the annual Country Music Festival.
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The festival draw cards performing at the Horsham Soundshell received a warm response from the country music fans attending.
Horsham Country Music Festival co-ordinator Lyall Wheaton said the festival program was a stand out, which the committee has worked tirelessly to build each year.
Country music performers including Georgia and Lachie McGennisken, Laura Downing, Justin Landley and Kiara Rodrigues were among the favourites.
Mr Wheaton said a solid program helped attract large crowds to the festival.
“Overall numbers were up from last year on each day and the performances were great and well-received,” he said. “We have heard great feedback from the line-up, which is music to our ears.”
He said the performances that took place outside the Soundshell also were very popular.
Country music fans settled down in Roberts Place to hear 12 great Wimmera artist’s perform last Friday.
“They were the cream of the crop in our region and they had a good crowd to perform for,” he said.
Mr Wheaton said the festival was fortunate to escape Saturday’s morning rain and the sun shone down for another afternoon of country music at the Soundshell. While numbers were low during the day, he expected numbers to spike as the night progressed.
Country music artist Laura Downing was a fan favourite. Mr Wheaton said she was a legend in the industry.
“The reason so many people like her is because she is open like a book both on and off the stage,” he said.
The Horsham Country Music Festival presented a cheque for $16,000 to the Wimmera Health Care Group on Saturday.
Mr Wheaton said the donation would cover the cost of two oncology chairs for the new cancer centre. He said raising money for the centre was close to the committee’s heart because four of its members were diagnosed and lost their battles with cancer.
Tessele’s Ivon Ferry traveled to Horsham for the four-day festival. Mr Ferry has followed country music festival throughout the Australia. He said the Horsham festival was very good.
“The performances on the street have been really good. But, I am looking forward to the country singer Laura Downing because she is a very natural singer and the country music just comes naturally,” he said.
Geelong’s Pat Eastwood attended the country music festival for five years. While the festival has not changed over the years, she said she always enjoyed herself and Horsham was a lovely spot for the event.