Country Thunder

Country Thunder is a music festival brand that hosts several concerts in North America each year. They have operated festivals in Wisconsin and Arizona since 1996, in Saskatchewan since 2005, in Alberta since 2016, and in Florida since 2019.[1]

Each festival offers entertainment on multiple stages. The main stage hosts national acts, with new upcoming talent playing throughout the day. The side stage gives local artists opportunities to perform.

Florence, Arizona

Country Thunder Arizona is held on the Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona.[2] The Arizona Republic writes "Country Thunder is the biggest music festival in Arizona, with approximately 29,000 people there each day".[3] In 2018, Country Thunder Arizona was named Festival of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.[4]

The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, typically during the first week of April. Fans can purchase a single day pass or a weekend pass that allows them access to the festival for the entire weekend. The festival also offers reserved seating.[2]

Headliners in previous years have included Chris Young, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, and Cole Swindell.

Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

Country Thunder Wisconsin is held in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. The event was awarded the "Festival of the Year" Academy of Country Music Award in 2015.[5]

The festival is typically run from Thursday through Sunday during the third weekend of July. In the past, performers like Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley have appeared.

Craven, Saskatchewan

In 2005, Troy Vollhoffer, owner of parent company Premier Global Productions, took over Craven, Saskatchewan's Rock 'N The Valley festival and relaunched it as the Craven Country Jamboree — returning the event to its previous roots as a country music festival.[6] On October 27, 2016, it was announced that the event had been integrated into the Country Thunder brand as Country Thunder Saskatchewan.[7][8]

Calgary, Alberta

In August 2016, Country Thunder launched Country Thunder Alberta in Calgary, Alberta, located in Prairie Winds Park. Previous headliners have included Big & Rich, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Toby Keith.

Kissimmee, Florida

In March 2019, Country Thunder launched the festival in Kissimmee, Florida, located in Osceola Heritage Park.[9] Previous headliners have included Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, and Luke Combs.[10]

Festival of the Year

Country Thunder Wisconsin 2015 and Country Thunder Arizona 2018 were named Festival of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.[4][11]

Other Activities

Additional activities at the Country Thunder music festival include art installations, meet and greets, camping, and a kids' zone.[12] The festival also hosts an Electric Thunder tent with live music, line-dancing, games, and DJs.[13]

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References
  1. "About Country Thunder". Country Thunder Music Festivals.
  2. Frigerio, Josh (2017). "Country Thunder 2017 fan guide: What to know about tickets, schedule, concerts, getting there". ABC15 Arizona.
  3. White, Kaila (2017). "Ultimate guide to surviving Country Thunder". The Arizona Republic.
  4. Burch, Cathalena E. (2015). "Country Thunder snags ACM for Festival of the Year". Arizona Daily Star.
  5. "Industry Awards". Academy of Country Music.
  6. "An oral history of Craven – from humble beginnings, to floods, to massive music parties". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  7. "Jamboree unveils new name and its latest lineup". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  8. "Same party different name: Craven Country Jamboree rebrands". Global News. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  9. "Country Thunder Florida". Country Thunder Music Festivals.
  10. "Country Thunder Florida 2019". Experience Kissimmee Florida. 2020.
  11. "Country Thunder receives Academy of Country Music 'Festival of the Year' Industry Award". Broadway World. 2018.
  12. "Country Thunder USA Tickets". StubHub.
  13. "Country Thunder Music Festival rolls into Kissimmee, Florida this weekend". Music Mayhem Magazine. 2019.
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