Hitting all the right notes for families

It certainly had it all... the stunning location, the mind-blowing music, the gourmet food, the chill out tents and the best atmosphere you could wish for.

Oh yes, there was no chance the few showers of raindrops could change anyone`s humour as they danced and sang along to some of the finest musicians from across the globe at the second Midlands Music Festival at Belvedere.

Ok, so by the end of Saturday evening, the alliteration was getting longer with the addition of "Music and Muck" festival to the promotional name, but this is farmin` country and festival goers took stock of that and dressed for the mess in their funkiest wellingtons and waterproofs.

Kids played happily at the amusements and crazy golf and there certainly were no tears at bedtime as they managed to utilise the fantastic facilities to the last while the parents kicked back and enjoyed the atmosphere.

The Bucking Bronco was especially popular, moreso with the "big" children than the little ones, as the Daddies and Mammies tried to show off their cowboy skills.

It was a unanimous feeling really - there are not enough festivals like "Midlands" in this country, where families can go and have a family day out; where you don`t feel awkward about your little one crying during a Kris Kristofferson set; and where you don`t feel like a bad parent `cos your angels are covered in muck up to their armpits.

It was the laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere that made the Midlands Music Festival so special. There was no pushing, no moshing, no crowd surfing - heck, I doubt half the people in attendance actually knew what moshing was!

No, Midlands was fully of happy (albeit muddy) people that were well fed and well watered - and I ain`t talking about the rain!

The few Garda` present, ambled through the light-hearted crowd, but they need not have been concerned, for there was no arrests over the entire weekend and everyone was too busy having a great time than to cause any trouble.

And hey, even if you were on the verge of getting a bit stressed and peeved with the whole thing, the Body and Soul area was certain to wipe that frown right off your face. Whether it was easing those over-danced, aching muscles with a massage,"taking five" on the bean bags in the little chill-out music tent, or sipping a mixed berry cider in the little bar while watching the kids run around, the Body and Soul area was, without doubt, one of the biggest successes of the festival.

The only shame about the whole thing? Well, we have to wait another twelve months to have so much fun again!