Heading into tonight’s opening show, only a few day and session passes remain for the weekend’s festivities, with organisers expecting a packed house right through until Sunday.

Wagga Country Music Club president Don Tuckwell, who, along with the rest of the club, has been busy preparing for this weekend, said the success of last year’s event had been behind the extraordinary interest in this year’s edition.

“We had a very good one last year,” he said.

“People were that happy with the performance of those artists that they’ve already booked to come back.”

The festival opens tonight with a performance by Stephen R Cheney before continuing through to Sunday with a variety of shows planned at the Commercial Club.

But Mr Tuckwell said the club wouldn’t be resting on its laurels after another successful event and he anticipates the event will continue to grow each year.

“It looks like we’ve hit the correct formula,” he said. “I can only see it getting bigger from now on.”

Limited day and session passes are still available for the weekend from Don Tuckwell Audio or by phoning 6921 4862.

Country Music Weekend rundown

Tonight

7.30pm Stephen R Cheney

Friday

2pm Wayne Horsburgh, Bob Howe and Greg Hooper

7.30pm Bush Ballad Show featuring Lindsay Waddington, Grant Luhrs, Col Anderson, Tom Maxwell, Bec Hance, Peter Wilson and Nathan Charlton

Saturday

7.30am Poets Breakfast featuring Neil McArthur, Dave Prior, Tractor Rennick and Bec Hance

10am Laura Downing Show

12pm Tom Maxwell and Bec Hance

2pm The Hoffmans Musical/Comedy Show

5.30pm Stephen R Cheney

7.30pm Brian Letton Show

Sunday

10am Tom Maxwell Show

12pm The Hoffmans

2pm Last Round-up