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Boyup Brook Country Music Festival packs the small town with unparalleled country music talent.

Craig DuncanManjimup-Bridgetown Times
Opening act Allan Caswell preforming at Boyup Brook Country Music Festival.
Camera IconOpening act Allan Caswell preforming at Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. Credit: Craig Duncan

WA’s country music capital was the place to be last weekend with bootscootin’, crazy cars and country music taking over the town.

The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival rolled in on Thursday, with dance workshops and songwriting courses keeping the early arrivals entertained.

The festival fully got into gear on Saturday morning with the country music awards kicking off the celebrations.

Boyup Brook Country Music Club president Jason Forsyth said this year’s line-up was fantastic, having an excellent mix of established and emerging artists.

“It’s really important for our emerging artists to play to such a large audience,” he said.

Mr Forsyth also paid recognition to the efforts of the club’s committee for helping arrange the event.

“This amazing festival wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of our incredible committee who volunteer many hours in the year to make this happen,” he said.

Country Music Club president Jason Forsyth.
Camera IconCountry Music Club president Jason Forsyth. Credit: Craig Duncan

Traveling to the festival from Pemberton Terrie Clifford and Collette Kowald were a constant sight on the festival’s dance floor.

“There is all the dancing we can do here,” Ms Clifford said.

Collette Kowald and Terrie Clifford
Camera IconCollette Kowald and Terrie Clifford Credit: Craig Duncan

Gaile Beattie and Mike Cherry said they make their way to the festival yearly, and loved the music of JoKeria.

“Even in the heat we wanted to get up and dance,” Ms Beattie said.

Gaile Beattie and Mike Cherry
Camera IconGaile Beattie and Mike Cherry Credit: Craig Duncan

For some the festival was an excuse to meet new people.

Michelle Kennedy-Baxter said she only recently moved to Boyup Brook and wanted to know the community. She was thrilled when the festivals ‘hat cam’ turned on her.

Michelle Kennedy-Baxter
Camera IconMichelle Kennedy-Baxter Credit: Craig Duncan

For her enthusiasm and dancing skills Ms Kennedy-Baxter won a stack of signed CDs.

“The festival is really good, I’m loving it,” she said.

Testing their own musical talent Beavan Jones and Caroline Gaffney spent their morning busking for the community before enjoying the concert in full swing.

Beavan Jones and Caroline Gaffney.
Camera IconBeavan Jones and Caroline Gaffney. Credit: Craig Duncan
Amy Hatton, Lylah Hatton 3 and Sofia Hatton 9 months.
Camera IconAmy Hatton, Lylah Hatton 3 and Sofia Hatton 9 months. Credit: Craig Duncan
Rose House and Danita Ballard.
Camera IconRose House and Danita Ballard. Credit: Craig Duncan

Beyond the sea of portable chairs, comfortable cowboys and bootscootin’ parties sat the truck and ute muster yard.

Nic Coote and Brad Cop
Camera IconNic Coote and Brad Cop Credit: Craig Duncan

Packed with a litany of flamboyant cars and the roars of V8 engines, people mingled admiring the machines.

Boyup Brook ute muster parade cars.
Camera IconBoyup Brook ute muster parade cars. Credit: Craig Duncan
Boyup Brook ute muster parade.
Camera IconBoyup Brook ute muster parade. Credit: Craig Duncan

As the concert kicked off the yard was electric with the crackle of whips, as cowpoke practiced and competed against each other to show off their whip skills.

Amy Godden preforming 3 whip cracks in a row.
Camera IconAmy Godden preforming 3 whip cracks in a row. Credit: Craig Duncan
Byron Reid
Camera IconByron Reid Credit: Craig Duncan
Heath Hynes.
Camera IconHeath Hynes. Credit: Craig Duncan

As the night went on, the yard was flooded by the mist of a water truck as party goes dashed under the refreshing spray.

Boyup Brook Country Music Festival water truck.
Camera IconBoyup Brook Country Music Festival water truck. Credit: Craig Duncan
Boyup Brook Country Music Festival water truck.
Camera IconBoyup Brook Country Music Festival water truck. Credit: Craig Duncan
Luke Fox 3, embraced the chaos of the event.
Camera IconLuke Fox 3, embraced the chaos of the event. Credit: Craig Duncan

Separate from other years, the festival gave out the Western Australian County Music Awards early in the afternoon.

Country music video clip of the year award winner Lynn Hazelton said it was an amazing surprise after returning from other festivals overseas.

“Everyone just got behind me and I just feel elated, it’s really cool,” she said.

WA Country Music Award winner Lynn Hazelton.
Camera IconWA Country Music Award winner Lynn Hazelton. Credit: Craig Duncan
Billy Higginson gets a guitar signed by each artist to raise money for the local radio station.
Camera IconBilly Higginson gets a guitar signed by each artist to raise money for the local radio station. Credit: Craig Duncan

Kicking off the music after the opening ceremony was Allan Caswell, who got the crowd into a humble guffaw with his mix of children songs and edgy music.

Allan Caswell.
Camera IconAllan Caswell. Credit: Craig Duncan

Following him was JoKeria, whose upbeat tunes filled the dancefloor despite the intense summer heat.

JoKeria
Camera IconJoKeria Credit: Craig Duncan

As the sun started to set, Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson took to the stage.

Ms Lindsay said Boyup Brook was a great festival.

“We’ve had a wonderful time here, everyone’s been so friendly, with great artists and a good vibe,” she said.

Boyup Brook Country Music Festival
Camera IconBoyup Brook Country Music Festival Credit: Craig Duncan

Following them was Brandon Poletti and the Eagleton Brothers who packed the dancefloor as the afternoon breeze drifted in.

Mr Poletti said they had a great time playing at the festival.

“We played at a few different festivals, and this is by far our favourite one that we do,” he said.

Brandon Poletti.
Camera IconBrandon Poletti. Credit: Craig Duncan

As darkness fell, the crowd continued to grow and Helen Townsend and The Wayward Hearts played for a packed park.

Helen Townsend and The Wayward Hearts.
Camera IconHelen Townsend and The Wayward Hearts. Credit: Craig Duncan

Following her was Troy Cassar-Daley and Bunbury’s own Codee-Lee.

Closing the festival was the winner of the people’s choice award for 2024, Jonny Reid, who played for a transfixed crowd until 12am.

The festival wrapped up on Sunday with several more performances throughout the day.

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