Mildura ready to dance with Country Music Festival

The regional city, on the Victorian side of the Murray River, will play host to the annual 10-day Mildura Country Music Festival from September 29 and October 8.

The festival celebrates its 31st year with over 80 artists performing at 26 venues around Mildura and the district.

Festival coordinator John Arnold said thousands of country fans are expected to come to the festival.

"A large proportion of artists performing at Mildura have highly successful recording careers and this year will see 22 new artists that were not at the festival last year," he said.

These include Rachel Fahim, Connie Kis Andersen, Taylor Pfeiffer, Angus Gill, Tracy Coster, Kylie Castle, Don Costa, Melissa Robertson, Dave Prior, Aleyce Simmonds, and Aly Cook.

"Each day fans will be entertained at both indoor and outdoor venues in the warmth of spring and the best country music," said Mr Arnold.

Performers will also head to outlying towns like Wentworth, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Coomealla, Irymple, Buronga and Gol Gol.

Mr Arnold said the jewel in the crown of the festival is the live concert and radio presentation of Southern Stars - The Australian Independent Country Music Awards which recognises the achievements of Australian independent recording artists. This will be held on October 7.

The Festival lineup also includes Allan Caswell, Reg Poole, Rodney Vincent, NeillyRich, Johanna Hemara, Stephen R Cheney Tom Maxwell and a host of other artists.