Good ticket sales for music festival

The twang of country music will ring out through Marton from today with the Marton Country Music Festival getting under way.

The music will start in town from mid-morning when the buskers begin playing on Broadway before the festival starts at Wilson Park at about 1.30pm.

Organiser Anne George said about 400 campervans from all over the country would be rolling into town and ticket sales had been higher than ever. The annual festival celebrated a decade last year.

The line-up includes some of Australasia's finest country artists with Australian Justin Standley headlining Saturday night. He will be joined by Mae Valley who made their name on New Zealand's Got Talent, Auckland's Kylie Austin and Whanganui born (now Hawkes Bay's) Craig Adams.

Tonight will feature popular New Zealanders Dennis Marsh and Brendon Dugan, along with Allan Webster (Australia), Taranaki songbird Lynn Putt, Carylanne Martin and Kem Wairau (Mr Freddie Fender).

Other artists include Reg McTaggart. Add Annette Hawkins and Kim Copedo, Joy Adams, Peter Jackson, Keith Herbert and Roberta Campbell to the line up and it makes for a fantastic show.

Patrons will also a chance to show of their talent with open mic sessions. Backing bands include Phoenix from Feilding and Napier's Shotgun with Legal Tender playing tea time music tomorrow.

Tickets are available on the day with weekend passes $50, a (1pm) pass $20 today, Saturday (9.30am) $25 and (10am) Sunday $10.