THE Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) is officially upon us, and so are the thousands of visitors that pour into town to experience the country's largest and oldest live music event.
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Many campers had been trickling in throughout the week, but the surge of last minute arrivals came on Sunday with caravans and campervans desperately searching for a spot to park.
While the postponed date and high COVID numbers may have kept some people away, there was certainly no shortage of tourists eager to come and check out what the city had to offer for the 50th anniversary of TCMF.
In fact, some people even welcomed the change, with Maleney-based visitor Keith Valentine revealing he and his wife Robin were enjoying the cooler conditions.
"We used to come in the past and after a couple of years it's great to be back, we were coming in January but we like it being in this month because it's cooler, January is a bit savage," he said.
As a musician himself, Mr Valentine said there was something special about TCMF and the chance to see so many new performers every year.
"I play and sing myself, and I just like to see who else does too."
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His sentiment was echoed by Central Coast woman Jeannie Hayes, who said the togetherness of the whole event was one of the main reasons she keeps coming back.
"I've been coming here since 2005 and I love it, everyone is family, everyone is friendly and I love all the mob," she said.
"I love catching up with all the mob, a lot of them are singers and buskers, and I love camping and getting in touch with country."
Something else the tourists like to do is investigate the local attractions and hospitality outlets.
Or, as camper Nigel Hanning from Geelong put it, they like to hit the pub.
"It's just wonderful, it's great fun, you get to see some friends, have a wonderful time, see loads of music and have the occasional beer and relax for a long time," he said.
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