THE final day of the Horsham Country Music Festival acted as the event's swan song, with the four-day festival wrapping on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Crowds gathered at the Horsham Soundshell to hear a variety of country musicians and say farewell to the festival which has run since 2008.
Festival co-ordniator Lyall Wheaton said he predicated 1000 people attended the festival on Saturday, which was the event's busiest day.
"We had record crowds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Sunday has been packed so far too," he said.
"We're really happy with how it's gone. The dancefloor was packed on Saturday night and the entertainment has all been of a very high standard. The feedback from patrons has been great."
Mr Wheaton said the festival was ending due to the age and health of committee members, not because of financial reasons. He said he would love to see another group take control of the event.
"We would be more than happy to sit down with Horsham council and see if there's a way forward with it organising it," he said.
Pakenham friends Graeme and Margaret Schofield, and Merna King wore matching t-shirts to support their favourite country musician, Justin Standley, who was performing at the festival.
"We're very much devoted to Justin's music," Ms King said.
"We've been to the Mildura Country Music Festival 19 times. This is only our second time in Horsham, but we will be sad to see it go."
Hamilton couple Mavis and Ron Mirtschin, of Hamilton, attended all four days of the festival.
"We had to go back home to Hamilton on Saturday night for our grandson's Debutante Ball, but we travelled back up here for the final day," Mr Mirtschin said.
Featured artists on this year's line-up included Peter Coad and the Coad Sisters, Col Perkins, Sandi Dodd, Johanna Hemara, Brian Letton, Laura Downing, Don Costa, Justin Standley, Kiara Rodrigues, Dwayne Elix, Trevor Keilar, and Lachie and Georgia.
Friday night was a tribute night, with Sandi Dodd performing a Dolly Parton tribute, Justin Standley performing the songs of Roy Orbison, and Laura Downing trying her hand at Loretta Lynn.
The overall winner of this year's busking competition was Laurie Treloar of Geelong. A total of 18 amature artists entered the busking competition.
The festival wrapped on Sunday night with a sold-out Justin Standley show at the Horsham RSL.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.