The campgrounds are now open as Craven welcomes thousands of music fans for Country Thunder this weekend.
The campground gates opened at 9 a.m. on Wednesday to allow festival-goers time to set up their sites before the event begins. The campground gates will close at 10 p.m. each night.
“It’s so fun to see the people that have been coming. This is the longest-standing festival in North America, and there are people who have been coming since the beginning, and their campsites — they do scenes. I mean, RVs nowadays are nicer than some homes. So, to see the setup, it is a lot of fun,” said Megan Benoit, digital manager for Country Thunder Saskatchewan.
The festival bowl will be open from 3 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Environment Canada’s forecast for Craven this weekend is promising, with no rain in sight. Friday is expected to be sunny, Saturday cloudy, and Sunday will bring a mix of sun and cloud. Daily highs should reach the mid-to-high 20s.
Despite the favourable forecast, Benoit said attendees should be prepared for any type of weather.
“Truly pack for every condition. We’re not expecting rain, but I brought my rubber boots, my rain boots are ready to go. Bring a poncho even. The show is rain or shine. Obviously, if there’s lightning or high winds, we’ll have to make the call,” she said.
This year’s headliners are Def Leppard, Bailey Zimmerman, and Jason Aldean. The festivities kick off tonight at 10 p.m. with a party in the beer gardens featuring the Hunter Brothers.
There has been one lineup change: Nate Smith, who recently came off vocal rest, lost his voice during his first concert back and is unable to perform.
“We want him to be able to save his voice so that he can come back bigger and better — maybe next year or the year after. We’ll definitely try to bring him back. So, sad news, but the good news is it gives us an opportunity to really shine a spotlight on Saskatchewan talent,” Benoit said.
Taking his place on the main stage at 4 p.m. Friday will be Weyburn’s own Brayden King, who has spent much of the summer performing across Canada.
Aldean headlines Friday, Zimmerman on Saturday, and Def Leppard will close out the festival on Sunday night.
Festival-goers are reminded not to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Once again, Country Thunder has partnered with SGI to offer free shuttle services.
The shuttles will have pickup locations at Southland Mall, Victoria Square Mall, and the Turvey Centre in Regina, as well as the Town ‘n’ Country Mall in Moose Jaw.