Toyota Country Music Festival organisers are excited to announce a new community event that will run in place of the Country Music Cavalcade at next month’s Festival.

The 50th Anniversary Community Celebration will be held in Toyota Park on Saturday, January 22, recreating the cavalcade as a static event.

Toyota Country Music Festival Manager, Barry Harley says the event will feature all the favourite cavalcade elements, just in a different format.

“This community celebration will include community group booths, market stalls, as well as performances by cavalcade regulars and cameo artist appearances,” he said.

“Any local school, community group or association that usually takes part in the cavalcade will have the opportunity to be part of this new event.” 

The event was cancelled in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, which means 2022 will be only the second time since the 1980s that the cavalcade has been cancelled.

Festival organisers conceding that the ever-increasing safety mitigation requirements and the significant security risks associated with vehicle movements were the catalyst for the decision.

“A safety audit of the cavalcade, which included discussions with local police was conducted in 2020, which revealed a significant number of risks that can’t be adequately managed” Mr Harley said.

“The decision to change the cavalcade was not made lightly and we understand some may be disappointed that it will not be going ahead.

“However, we see the introduction of the Community Celebration as a positive move that will ensure local businesses, and fans still have the opportunity to be actively involved in the Festival through an equally as colourful and exciting event.” 

In collaboration with the Market Project, local artisans and producers will also have the opportunity to showcase their products, with community markets also being held as part of the Community Celebration.

Organiser, Veronica Filby says more than 80 stallholders are expected at the event.

“This is a massive opportunity for local and regional small businesses,” she said.

“There has been a lack of big market days over the past 18 months due to COVID, and it is just so exciting to see Council include such a fantastic community market in the Festival program next year.”

Registrations for the 50th Anniversary Community Celebration can now be made via the Tamworth Regional Council website, with everyone in the community urged to get involved.

“2022 is a magic milestone for the Festival and we’re excited about this new event and celebrating 50 years of the Festival,” Mr Harley said.