Camping at the Tamworth Country Music Festival is not solely about finding a place to sleep. It is also about reuniting with friends you may only see once a year during the annual pilgrimage.
Central Coast family Cheyne and Danielle Sedevcic, with their daughter Eloise and son Bellamy, hit the road to travel Australia three weeks ago, but no trip is complete without a couple of weeks at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“We love camping here because it’s really close to everything, well-priced, and the kids can run around while we can keep an eye on them,” Cheyne said.
The family are strong supporters of country artist Ruby Shay, who is a friend, and said this was their third time camping at the festival. They arrive early each year to secure a good spot.
Nearby, Coolatai’s John Cole and his mate Larry Reeves from Quakers Hill were catching up under John’s annexe to a soundtrack of country legend Dolly Parton.
John has been attending the festival for 29 years, while Larry is clocking up his 25th Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“Camping here at Riverside has created a community,” John said.
“It’s good with the toilets and showers. We reserve spots for mates who are on their way, with bands like Sunday Lemonade and The Curry Mob camped nearby. I come to the festival for the music.”
Larry said many of his friendships had been formed through camping at Riverside.
“I used to come up here with groups of people and I just love listening to the music,” he said.
“The stage here at Riverside has been a great improvement. Everybody is happy and there’s a great camaraderie. I love going down Peel Street and listening to the buskers, and the special thing about this festival is the musicians are so accessible and stop and talk to you.”
Up the road, Queensland sibling band The Curry Mob, Mika and Blue Curry, along with their parents Mick and Joy, had the guitars out as they prepared for a full festival schedule.
They arrived on Tuesday to secure their favourite spot under a large tree for shade.
The family travelled from near Gympie but live on the road almost full-time, with gigs booked from Victoria to Queensland over the next six months.
The young siblings captured the attention of music lovers at the festival last year and graduated from the CMAA Academy of Country Music in July.
The Curry Mob have a busy schedule ahead with 13 gigs during this year’s event, including busking appearances along Peel Street.
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