IT'S time to dust off your cowboy boots and put on your Akubra's as country music descends on the region this week.

The Apex RiverBeach Country Music Festival and the Mildura Country Music Festival both kicked off on Friday, and are set to continue for the next 10 days.

Well known country artists such as Craig Giles and Kerrigan La Brooy, as well as local musician Paul Costa, are among a number ...