'Can't beat a parade': former cavalcade organiser reflects on long-standing Tamworth Country Music Festival tradition

It's these iconic scenes visitors to Tamworth Country Music Festival have come to know and love over its 50-year history, but with the end of the annual cavalcade as we know it in 2022, things will look a little different in January.

Tamworth Chamber of Commerce launched the very first Country Music Cavalcade in 1980 under the direction of Bob Kirchner, after 2TM came up with the idea.

Mr Kirchner said its been an enormous part of the festival, but it's cancellation is "a sign of the times".

"The risk management and the amount of resources that have to go into it are really enormous," he said.

"When you think abut the problems we've had overseas with cars running into crowds and all sorts of things, it is an almighty risk, but I would have loved for it not to be cancelled."

Mr Kirchner said the parade will be missed because it's "one of those iconic parts of the festival" and has been for four decades.

"We started it in the early 80's, so it wasn't even before the 10^th anniversary of the festival," he said.

"It's very disappointing, but I understand the decision that was made, because it is quite a large job so there are a lot of other factors weighing in."

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With crowds of 50,000 and individual entries regularly hitting the 150 mark, the cavalcade in its 'glory days' was a sight to be seen, bustling with artists, community groups and business owners.

Mr Kirchner said it was always a great opportunity for the artists to get closer to the public, with everyone from Slim Dusty to John Williamson and Lee Kernaghan participating and all you had to do was jump on the back of a ute, truck or float.

"It's always been very, very popular because artists and businesses that have been involved over the years use it as a promotional vehicle - pardon the pun," he said.

"We've had crowds of nearly 50,000 people and that's massive, not many places get that unless you're in a capital city.

"I think everyone will miss it - it's just one of those things some people love to hate because of the work that's involved.

"But you just can't beat a parade - people love a parade, simple as that."

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