Country music festival success

Horsham Country Music Festival committee members are already working on a musical line-up for 2019 after the event strongly consolidated its position on the Wimmera calendar.

Event co-ordinator Lyall Wheaton said crowd numbers were consistent across the four days of entertainment with the largest gathering of people, more than 850, at a Saturday ACE Radio Spectacular at Horsham Soundshell in Sawyer Park.

“Our numbers were up by about 50 on the Thursday and Friday, about the same on the Saturday and down by about 50 on the Sunday when there was a serious threat of inclement weather,” he said.

“It went really well and the artist line-up and performances were just terrific.

“We have had no adverse comments about anything.

“We had a very large contingent from South Australia, with two full caravan parks in town and 85 sites occupied at Horsham Showground.

“We’re already planning for next year and will be selecting artists in the next few weeks.” Mr Wheaton said a major highlight of the festival was the donation of $16,000 to Wimmera Health Care Group as part of a Wimmera Cancer Centre equipment fund appeal.

“It brought the total money given to community organisations by the festival to just under $40,000 in the 11 years it’s been operating,” he said.

Committee member Lynda Arthur presented a cheque to health group chief executive Catherine Morley during Saturday night performances.