COUNTRY HIT FOR BROADIE

DEBATE has raged of late about certain big-ticket items on the Gold Coast events calendar, namely the staple Schoolies festival and V8 Supercars racing.

Are they the best fit for the city? Do they promote the kind of image we want?

There is no doubting their popularity but is the pain worth the gain?

One event surging in popularity and unlikely to draw any of the concern associated with Schoolies and V8s is the Broadbeach Country Music Festival.

In its fifth year, the three days of free sounds on multiple stages drew more than 50,000, 20,000 up on last year.

Backed by the Broadbeach Alliance, it helped pump $6 million into the local economy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with many hospitality venues full at peak times.

Saturday night headliner Kasey Chambers was surprised by the crowd, saying as much as she took to the Surf Parade stage.

The event is welcome relief for Broadbeach after nine months of debilitating road works down Surf Parade during a major council-funded makeover.

Broadbeach Alliance should be congratulated for its flourishing events calendar with the country music feast now joining its annual Blues on Broadbeach festival and Superhero Weekend as guaranteed activity drivers and a good time for all.