Broad Parade rocks the stage at the inaugural Echuca Country Music Festival.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
More than 1000 country music fans flocked to Echuca Racecourse on Saturday, March 28, for the inaugural Echuca Country Music Festival.
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The family-friendly event promised to showcase Australia’s finest and emerging country music talent, and it absolutely delivered.
The line-up included Australian country music stars Casey Barnes, Beccy Cole, Amber Lawrence, Andrew Swift, Hayley Jensen, Tori Darke and Gareth Leach.
General manager of organiser The Event People, Scott Hollow, said it didn’t take long for the crowd to get warmed up and out on the dance floor.
“I’ve never seen a mosh pit with people with the first band … the crowd came in early and stayed the whole day,” Mr Hollow said.
Echuca Country Music Festival took over Echuca Racecourse.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Within the estimated 1500-person crowd there was a healthy mix of ages, according to Mr Hollow.
The festival filled a country music-sized hole in Echuca’s event calendar, and Mr Hollow can confirm following Saturday’s success it is here to stay.
“I had a lot of people coming up to us saying I don’t know why there hasn’t been a country music festival in Echuca before,” he said.
“We’re looking at this festival as a long-term project, not coming in just one year — we want to come back every year.”
Organisers haven't set a date or the next edition, but festival-goers can expect smoother transportation with increased bus lines and another incredible line-up.
“We’re very satisfied with the crowd sizes for the first year and we look to increase that,” Mr Hollow said.
“We can’t announce any artists yet, but just that it will be bigger and better.”
Mr Hollow thanked Campaspe Shire Council for its support, as well as all the country music lovers who came out to have some boot-scooting fun.
Riv photographer Jordan Townrow was at the inaugural event, capturing all the fun.
Brett Hughes, Glenn Langley and Mark Jennings.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Donna Hansen, Jo Schroeter, Janelle Krause and Theresa Robertson.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Troy Scoble and Justin Anderson.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Attendees brought camping chairs and picnic rugs to relax at the festival.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Carly Blythe and Bree Mason.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Hayley Jensen rocks the stage.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Country music fans (from left) Vanessa Long, Seneca Gillett, Lisa Maronite and Samantha Hein.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Leyla Baradi, Dolly Mansueto, Nadia Xerri and Vivian Atien.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Chris McLaren, Scott Siega, Jamie Hardy, Michael Rowlands and Chris Natoli.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Jayden Dimitrakopoulos and Melissa Leeman.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Gareth Leach gets the crowd going.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Kristy Campbell, Jess Avery, David Addison, Lewis Payne and (front) Phoebe Payne and Josh Payne.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The mosh started early and kept getting busier throughout the day.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW