IN PHOTOS: The 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival

It's that time of year when the dust kicks up on Gomeroi Country and the Tamworth Country Music Festival begins.

Siblings Mickaela and Mick Curry, also known as The Curry Mob, perform as their father, Michael, stands on the sidelines supporting them. Credit: Jack Giam

As the last few chords ring out in the streets of Tamworth and the stages and stalls are dismantled, a sea of dusty Akubras begin the trek home.

It's the end of Tamworth's 54th annual Country Music Festival, the largest country music gathering in the southern hemisphere.

This January, as with the 53 January's before, the town has celebrated Australian country culture.

Gomeroi man AJ Fernando busking at the music festival. Credit: Jack Giam

A security guard trys on a new hat. Credit: Jack Giam

More than Western wear, whip-wielding, and country singing, the festival is an integral annual event for the community to celebrate Australian country culture.

Hats of all shapes and sizes are on display. Credit: Jack Giam

With a program packed full with entertainment, the festival is completely free and welcomes families and country revellers of all ages and backgrounds.

With no seats set up, people bring their own blankets and chairs to watch the main acts of the evening in Bicential park. Credit: Jack Giam

Food trucks cater to the thousands of people attending the festival. Credit: Jack Giam

Away from the main stages, in between cafes and stalls, more than 400 buskers performed on Peel Street, also known as the ‘Boulevard of Dreams’ - all in the hope of winning cash and securing gigs.

Ngemba man Norman Shillingsworth brings a different sound to Peel Street. Norman uses a plastic bottle filled with rice and a Cajun box pair alongside a didgeridoo. Credit: Jack Giam

It’s the very same street where country music legends such as Troy Cassar-Daley and Keith Urban were discovered.

Hundreds of acts have graced Peel Street, otherwise known as the ‘Boulevard of Dreams’. Credit: Jack Giam

The Boyonettes Busking playing on the the Boulevard of Dreams. Credit: Jack Giam

As the sun went down each day, the energy of the festival shifted away from the Boulevard of Dreams. Rides light up, glowing neon, flashing and flickering. It's a different side to festival, one that resembles the typical country fair.

Teenagers on the Flying Chairs ride in the evening at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Credit: Jack Giam

Now, Tamworth is returning to its usual rhythm as the sleepy country capital. But, only until next year when the 55th country music festival rolls into town.

As the amusement rides start to open, the crowd becomes noticeably younger. Teenagers from across town spend time at the fair socialising, screaming and laughing together. Credit: Jack Giam

A family walks under a mist spray. Despite sweltering temperatures and humidity, the festival has continued to run annually in January. The sweltering heat doesn’t discourage festival goers who are out on the streets from mid-morning through to late at night. Credit: Jack Giam

- Words and Images by Jack Giam