Music festival continues to blossom
Horsham Country Music Festival organisers are already planning for next year’s event after declaring the 10th annual event the ‘biggest and best’.
Festival co-ordinator Lyall Wheaton said a crowd of just under 1000 attending various performances was a record, with about 20 percent of patrons coming from South Australia, eight percent from NSW and even two people from New Zealand.
“We were blessed with perfect weather and Horsham Soundshell patrons at Sawyer Park were particularly impressed with the artist line-up, which featured Kiara Rodrigues, Graham Rodger, Sandie Dodd, Brian Letton, Joy Adams, Justin Standley, Johanna Hemara and Col Perkins,” he said.
Mr Wheaton said Horsham visitor numbers climbed significantly during the festival.
“Crowd numbers were boosted by the attendance of more than 60 people from the AVIDA Motor Home Club who stayed at Horsham Showground,” he said.
“Both Horsham caravan parks had 100 percent occupancy of caravan sites while the showground housed about 80 caravans and motor homes.”
Mr Wheaton said a busking competition in Horsham Plaza on Saturday morning attracted 20 competitors, with judges announcing Rod and Rhonda Owens from Traralgon the best performers.
Lydia D’lasselle from Melbourne won an encouragement award and nine and 11-year olds Georgia and Lachie Mcgennisken from Traralgon were most popular.
A crowd of 180 people attended walk-up performances at Horsham Riverside Caravan Park on Thursday afternoon and 120 people attended walk-ups at Wimmera Lakes Caravan Park on Sunday morning.
Horsham Country Music Committee representatives presented certificates of appreciation to 10year sponsors Horsham Rural City Council, ACE Radio, K. and J. Baker, Golden Grain Motor Inn and Horsham Plaza during the event.