A FRIENDLY rivalry between Tamworth and Mount Isa began this week when Mount Isa City Mayor Tony McGrady claimed Isa Fest could become greater than the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
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Tamworth Mayor Col Murray responded to Cr McGrady's good-natured boast by offering him a tour of Tamworth's festival, which has run annually for 42 years.
Cr Murray said he would be happy to give Cr McGrady a tour and share experiences on how the 10-day festival developed from its humble beginnings as a day festival, which was hosted by a radio station.
He said he also supported an interchange of Tamworth and Mount Isa council staff during the festival.Cr Murray said he loved Mount Isa and had several times attended the Isa Rodeo.
The Tamworth Mayor said he supported Isa Fest and believed Mount Isa was part of the ``heart of Australiana'' and therefore had the capacity to develop a music festival.
Another inland based festival would only strengthen Australian country music, Cr Murray said.Cr Murray saidTamworth did not feel threatened by the emergence of Isa Fest.
``After it's going 20 years maybe then it will become a threat,'' Cr Murray said.
Cr McGrady said he would attend the festival if he was invited to speak onstage for five minutes encouraging people to attend next year's Isa Fest.
Cr McGrady said he believed Isa Fest would be greater than Tamworth's festival.
``Mount Isa has the world's best rodeo, the world's best mining expo and the best show,'' Cr McGrady said.
``Tamworth has the best music festival, and while it should be honoured it is the world's best, enjoy it while you have it.''?
