Hamilton to host the 2018 Country Music Awards

Hamilton has been selected to host Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Awards in 2018.

The nationally broadcast show will be held at FirstOntario CentreonSept.9, 2018,at the culmination of a four-day event that will feature country music talent from all over Canada.

The announcement was made by Canadian Country Music Association president Don Green, with the help of Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Anna Bradford, director of Tourism and Culture, City of Hamilton.

"Hamilton has everything we need," said Green. "Including world-class facilities, a proven local host team of hundreds of experienced volunteers, government and corporate leaders providing support and a solid love of music."

Eisenbergercommended the hard work of the Hamilton Economic Development team and Tourism Hamilton in creating the successfulbid, launched while Hamilton was playing host to the Junos.

"We like a good party in the city of Hamilton," he said."It's going to be a fantastic opportunity for Hamilton to kick up its heels and fill up its hotels.

"Hamilton is a great music city and has been for a long time, and getting better at it each and every year with some great local talent."

Tourism Hamilton says the cityexpects to welcome 25,000 people attendingCountry Music Week, with official events being held at eight different venues in the city. It will also be part of the HamiltonMusic Strategy, said spokesperson Carrie Brooks, aiming to solidify the city's identity as a music city.

This is the first of 5 major music events to be drawn to Hamilton as part ofthe city's action plan over the next 4 years,all of which would go towards the city'starget ofover $50 million in economic impact.

Tim Hicks, country music singer-songwriter from Niagara Falls, performed live at the announcement.

This is the sixth time Hamilton will be hosting the event, and the first time since it was held on the same weekend as Supercrawlin 2011.

The 2017 Country Music Awards will be held in Saskatoon, Sask.