ABILENE, Texas (KTAB) – A big weekend for country music fans with the 9th Annual Outlaw and Legends Music Festival coming to a close.  It was a record setting year for the event with new additions and people coming from across the country and the world to see their favorite artists.

It all started nine years ago.

“Originally it was in just a pasture with a tiny stage and no cosmetics,” Outlaws and Legends founder Mark Powell said.

Now it’s become one of the biggest events in the Key City.

“We’re doing a lot of big things you know. This ninth year especially is really putting us into that real landmark situation on festivals,” Powell said.

Country music fans came far and wide to catch their favorite artists.

“We’ve got people from 29 states are here and people from seven countries,” Powell said.

Each year is bigger than the last.

“Biggest attendence we’ve ever had. Set a record yesterday and then it grew a little bit more today. We’ve had about 800 people more than last year,” Powell said.

For many, it’s become a tradition. One couple has even been to the festival all nine years.

“We like country music. We like Texas music and so we’ve enjoyed this every year,” festival attendee Monte Meers said.

It’s a tradition they hope continues for years to come.

“If Mark continues to bring in this kind of talent and as long as he continues to do that I will be here every year,” Meers said.

The proceeds from the festival go to help Ben Richey Boys Ranch.