For a few days in July, Mirande, in Gascony (South-West of France), tranforms itself into an American town.Over 165,000 people attended the Mirande Country Music Festival over 5 days in 2005 and it is now recognized as the first Country Music festival in Europe.

The Festival stages Country Music concerts from 5 pm until dawn the following day. There are also hot-air balloon flights, American cars, Harley-Davidsons and endless other attractions and activities for all the family.

Over 200 stands, on both the festival site and in the centre of town, propose numerous articles for sale including indian and western clothing and, of course, local gastonomic products.

This year the festival is being held from the 10 to 14 July. John Schneider, who starred as bo duke in the Dukes of Hazzard and  Johnathan Kent in Smallville, will host the festival. Artists  playing at the festival include The Ranchhands, Manau, Peter Kinsbery cock robin and Elizabeth Cook.

More information can be found at  www.country-musique.com

Here are some videos of the festival

Peter Kingsbery

Here is a video showing extracts from a concert given by Peter Kingsbury (formerly of cock robin)