'Little Nashville' keeps getting bigger in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA - There were no covered wagons in Alexandria last weekend, but the Tabac jr's Little Nashville Country Festival welcomed more than 500 Rvs.

This was the fifth year for the four-day festival.

Volunteer Susan Bossé said that at least 2,500 people attended the festival on Saturday, September 5.

The number was matched on Sunday night as a crowd filled Alexandria's arena. Fans brought their lawn chairs on the arena floor and also filled the stands.

Little Nashville is part of a circuit of country music festivals which happen throughout Canada.

According to a show of hands during the weekend, about half the crowd travelled from Quebec, and three quarters of the crowd were Francophone.

Tribute artists seemed especially popular this year as J.C. Harrison played the role of Hank Williams and Amberley Beatty played the role of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.

There was also line dancing throughout the weekend.

Roger Charette was the MC this year and said it was the biggest Little Nashville yet.

He also announced there are plans to hold another festival in 2010.