Pint-sized singer makes a big impact | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

They came from  places as far  apart as Whangarei  and Cromwell to the biggest and best Country Music Festival that Marton has held.

Country music lovers packed  Wilson Park for the three-day festival, which left event organiser Anne George speechless.

When she did find her voice, Mrs George said the fifth festival  had been awesome.

"It was brilliant and the biggest and best festival we've ever had," she said.

Created out of a love of country music and a good idea that was put into action, the festival had grown in popularity and attracted some big-name country entertainers, Mrs George said.

 Hermann Lammers Meyer from Germany and Australian Allan Webster sang alongside New Zealand acts Roger Tibbs, Kylie Austin, Dusty Spittle, Joy Adams, Trevor V Stevens and steel guitarist Joe Martin.

Thirteen-year-old Abby Christodovlou from Hawera took the stage and wowed the audience with her Tammy Wynette-sounding voice.

"She was awesome for someone so young, singing traditional country," Mrs George said.

Mrs George's protege, Marton's Rainbow Ranch Kids duo Tori Taua, 13, and Talei Lewaruarua, 11, launched their first CD at the festival.

"They were delighted with their sales, considering they were sitting beside top New Zealand country artists."

The girls are "exceptionally talented", Mrs George says, with brilliant futures in country music.

On Thursday night  more than 100 motorhomes  rolled into Marton and another 100 joined them on Friday.

A mobile kitchen at the park fed those who did not have kitchens on wheels.

 Mrs George believed the weekend numbers to be well above the expected 4000.  Intermittent light rain did not dampen the country mood.

More pictures, Page 7