For the 21st occasion, a small group of country music fans from the Valley recently made a bus trip to Tamworth for annual Country Music Festival & Awards. Travelling Armidale Road, first stop was Ebor Falls for picnic morning tea. Then Waterfall Way to Armidale, and New England Highway to Uralla for a lunch stop. After settling into our motel there, we went on to Tamworth to enjoy over four hours of activities, before leaving just as rain started, to return to our Uralla accommodation. An early start next morning, which was clear but overcast, travelling back to Tamworth, arriving in time for the parade, featuring many of the country music stars. The parade was almost complete when heavy rain began, but thankfully, skies cleared after about half an hour, and we could then enjoy all music in street, arcades, clubs and hotels. Street buskers included current Grafton Club country music band, Suburban Country, and former Graftonian, Dale Duncan, who had won people’s choice award. Mid afternoon, we gathered to go to Longyard area to change, and then to the Regional Entertainment Centre for red carpet arrivals, compered by former Graftonians, Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley. Then trip’s highlight, Country Music Gold Guitar Awards and concert, and again Grafton featured, with the show co-compered by Sam McClymont, Troy Cassar-Daley being major winner, picking up five awards, and Adam Eckersley getting one. After show, group again returned to Uralla accommodation. The final day began with tour around Uralla attractions, then to Guyra for a view of tomato hot houses. After a picnic morning tea in local park, there was free time to wander the Lamb & Potato Festival markets. We then travelled on to Glen Innes, before final journey home after an enjoyable 3 days. It is hoped to do a similar trip again next year, when awards will be on Saturday, January 28. Sandra Connelly