The 2017 Moss Vale Buskers Battle program has been announced, and the re-vamped competition has a lot on offer.

There’s a new People’s Choice Award, and the prize pool has grown, with a first prize this year of $3000, and the People’s Choice winner will receive $2000.

Moss Vale and Rural Chamber of Commerce president Brigid Kennedy said the battle would build on last year’s success.

“The event is all about bringing community together, showcasing the best of the best in the busking world, and showing off our incredible offering of retailers, businesses and some of the finest food and wine products in the country,” she said.

This year, the entire event will be staged across two days in Moss Vale, promising to bring the streets alive with acoustic music.

Seasoned and emerging performers from the Highlands and beyond are encouraged to enter into the entertainment extravaganza.

The music will be accompanied by great food and wine from the region, making it a great day on the lawn at Leighton Gardens.

Event organiser Lynne Shaw said the free event would offer a full day of “fabulous music, great food and wine, and a showcase of some of the beautiful work from local artisans”.

The buskers will perform their hearts out from 10.00am to 3.00pm throughout the Moss Vale commerical precinct on March 11, hoping to win votes from the public and judges 2ST’s Graeme Day and Aria-award winning musician Margaret Urlich. Voting stations will be set up in the shopping precinct.

On March 12, food, wine and produce stalls will open at 10.00am before the battle continues at 11.00am with a performance from 2016 winner Angus Murray.

The entertainment will continue throughout the day until the winners are announced at 3.30pm.

McDonalds Moss Vale is the lead sponsor of the event, along with major supporter Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association.

Find out more at http://mossvalebuskers.com.au/. You can also email mossvalebuskers@gmail.com.