Yee Haaww! it’s time for Europe’s Biggest Country Music Festival
I thought I should write a little about the Festival de Country Music. This 5-day celebration of all things Country & Western will take place in Mirande on 9th -14th July. Last year’s special guests included the cast of Dallas (Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Steve Kanaly and Charlene Tilton). This year’s guest of honour will be Stephanie Powers of Hart to Hart fame. Some of the other guests appearing include Roch Voisine, Cock Robin, Ricky Norton, Mike Sanchez and Michelle Wright.
The festival started in 1993 and 30,000 people came along. In 16 years it has turned into a highly successful annual fixture, and now it’s the biggest country music festival in Europe. Last year over 160,000 people attended. That’s a really big concert for a small village of 4,000 inhabitants!
For a few days the small French town of Mirande transforms itself into mini America with plenty of American cars and Harley Davidson’s on show. Expect lots and lots and LOTS of country music, up to 16 hours per day and over 70 concerts. You can join in with line dancing, try hot air ballooning or choose from one of the many other family activities.
Over 200 stands, on both the festival site and in the centre of town, offer food, drink and gifts for sale including Native American Indian or Western clothing and of course local gastronomic products. All these elements contribute to the happy, warm and convivial atmosphere where all ages can join in, young and old, having a great family day out.
Today the Mirande Festival de Country Music’s success has contributed enormously to the local economy and has created many full time jobs. The Festival staff and over 350 volunteers work all year round to ensure the quality and organisation of the event, which has recently been awarded the Midi-Pyrenees Cultural Tourism Trophy.
So c’mon pardners, come ‘n join in and don’t forgit your ten gallon hat, your boots ‘n’ spurs and your leather chaps. Yeeeeeeeeeee-haaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwww!