'Wonderful to be back': Excitement grows ahead of Country Thunder in Craven
After missing two years for the pandemic, country music stars are ready to rock the stage at Country Thunder.
Country music is part of a strong tradition at the Craven concert venue and its one that fans are excited to see return.
“Just the hype of it all, the excitement, the music, it's gonna be wonderful, said Diny Buhay, who works with Bosco Bistro, one of the festival’s vendors.
“It is a great lineup and it’s just really going to be wonderful to be back.”
Local vendors, like Bosco Bistro, have been serving music fans for decades. Many are grateful for the boost to the surrounding communities.
“It’s the traffic, they go shopping locally, they get gas they get their alcohol products, they sit in the bar where it's cooler for a little while to cool down,” Buhay explained.
“They can then come back and listen to some great music.”
Festival organizers are thrilled to return to Saskatchewan to put on one of Canada’s largest outdoor country festivals.
“It’s just really exciting to be back and have live music in Craven,” said Megan Benoit, a digital media specialist at Country Thunder.
“It feels like a family reunion in a sense where we'll have everyone together again with country music fans partying. It's going to be a great time.”
With the weather forecasted to be hot, Benoit reminded those who are traveling to the festival to come prepared and act responsibly.
“We have some really great options for shade,” she explained. “Don’t drink too much during the day, pace yourself.”
Benoit went on to explain that a medical team is set to be on site and that safety would be a top priority during this year’s festival.
“Obviously be safe and be responsible and use the buddy system,” she said. “Just pace yourself.”
Campers will be able to set up Tuesday morning (July 12), with the kickoff party Thursday night (July 14), featuring Canadian Chad Brownlee.
Lee Brice, Morgan Wallen and Blake Shelton are set to perform on the main stage throughout the weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Toronto's first 'Eras Tour' show kicks off at Rogers Centre
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
Purolator workers won't handle Canada Post packages if strike occurs, union says
Teamsters Canada says if Canada Post workers go on strike or are locked out, its members at Purolator won't handle any packages postmarked or identified as originating from the carrier.
Trump chooses anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting him in charge of a massive agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine and food safety to medical research and the social safety net programs Medicare and Medicaid.
Canada urged to cut government-funded research collaborations with China: report
A newly released report is urging Canada to immediately end all government-funded research collaborations with China in a variety of different areas.
Centre Block renovation facing timeline and budget 'pressures'
The multi-billion-dollar renovation of parliament’s Centre Block building continues to be on time and on budget, but construction crews are facing 'pressures' when it comes to the deadline and total costs, according to the department in charge of the project.
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
Measles cases in New Brunswick continue to climb
The number of measles cases in New Brunswick continue to climb. Officials with New Brunswick’s Department of Health said as of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases since October has reached 43.
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Saskatoon
-
'It's unfortunate': Multiple issues led to delays in reporting Saskatoon elections results
Elections Saskatoon experienced a few issues Wednesday night, which translated into significant delays in reporting voting results for the 2024 civic election.
-
Cynthia Block will be Saskatoon's next mayor
Cynthia Block is the 29th mayor of Saskatoon, and the first woman elected to the position in the city's history.
-
Who are Saskatoon's new city councillors?
Saskatoon voters made their mark on Wednesday, casting ballots in the city's civic election and making history by electing the city's first female mayor. The election also brought fresh faces to the city council.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
-
'No excuse for this': Winnipeg apartment building without mail for a year
Going to the mailbox to check for letters and packages is a daily ritual for many of us, but not for people living at a Manitoba Housing complex in Winnipeg. They're cut off from their mail.
-
Bruce Springsteen shoutout helps Harvest Manitoba collect record donations at concert
A Manitoba organization got an on-stage shoutout from The Boss Wednesday night.
Edmonton
-
Alberta RCMP officer who shot man who had paintball gun cleared by police watchdog
The RCMP officer who shot a man who had a paintball gun outside the Ponoka, Alta., courthouse in February 2022 has been cleared.
-
Man shot during robbery near Commonwealth Stadium, woman arrested
A man was taken to hospital after a shooting in central Edmonton Thursday afternoon.
-
'100 per cent ready': Marmot Basin opens for season next week
Marmot Basin will be ready to welcome guests back to the slopes next week.
Calgary
-
EMS whistleblowers point to major staffing concerns as thousands of Calgary zone ambulances are left vacant
New EMS data obtained from Alberta Health Services (AHS) outlines a substantial improvement in reducing “red alerts” for the Calgary Zone, in which no ambulances are readily available, but whistleblowers say the data is misleading and thousands of patients are still being left waiting for too long.
-
Calgary company convicted in fatal 2019 workplace incident loses appeal
A Calgary company that appealed its convictions and associated fine for its role in the death of one of its workers has been denied by the court.
-
Calgary crews repair record number of potholes thanks to new tool
The City of Calgary is crediting a new tool with helping crews complete a record number of pothole repairs this year.
Lethbridge
-
Deadline approaching for Lethbridge waste diversion report for businesses and organizations
Lethbridge business owners and organizations are being reminded the deadline for the annual waste diversion report is just around the corner.
-
Alberta launches inspection of the City of Medicine Hat
After months of speculation, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs will move ahead with an inspection of the City of Medicine Hat.
-
Deadly head-on crash near Drumheller under investigation
RCMP say one person was killed in a head-on crash near Drumheller.
Toronto
-
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Toronto's first 'Eras Tour' show kicks off at Rogers Centre
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
-
City of Toronto clears encampments near Rogers Centre ahead of sold-out Taylor Swift shows
Five unhoused people who were staying in tents near the Rogers Centre have been given spaces in a Toronto shelters ahead of six sold-out Taylor Swift concerts that are expected to result in a significant influx of visitors to the downtown core.
-
Police searching for man wanted in connection to 4 sexual assaults in Toronto
Police are trying to identify a man who is wanted in connection with four recent sexual assaults in northeast Toronto.
Ottawa
-
Former Ottawa firefighter auctioning pair of Taylor Swift tickets for good cause
Like many of us, former Ottawa firefighter Derek Bowker had not luck scoring tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto. But that changed for Bowker after entering an online raffle last week.
-
17 people arrested following 18-month 'Project Champion' investigation into drug trafficking in Ottawa area
Seventeen people are facing charges following an 18-month investigation into the illegal drug trade operating in the Ottawa area.
-
uOttawa full-time professors, librarians vote in favour of strike mandate
The union representing full-time professors and librarians at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) says its members have voted 80.9 per cent in Favour of strike mandate.
Montreal
-
One voice, two solitudes: Calls for cultural crossover one year after Karl Tremblay's death
It’s been one year since Karl Tremblay, the lead singer of Les Cowboys Fringants, died of prostate cancer at the age of 47.
-
Dawson College students vote in favour of one-day strike in solidarity with Gaza
Students at Dawson College voted in favour of a one-day strike in support of Gaza.
-
Not just a new shirt: how a Montreal trans woman embraced her femininity through clothes
After struggling with her identity after coming out as a trans woman, Jeanette Scott turned to a personal stylist so that she could be more comfortable in her femininity.
Vancouver
-
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
-
The Grey Cup and other things to do in Vancouver this weekend
Whether you're here for the football, the party or something else entirely, there's lots to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend. Here are some options.
-
No jail time for treasurer who drained B.C. little league's bank account
The former treasurer who drained the bank account of a B.C. little league will not be sent to prison.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
-
Police issue warning after spiked drink reported at nightclub in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo say they're investigating an incident at a local nightclub and are issuing "a generic warning to the public" about drinks being spiked.
-
B.C. woman who 'carried on' as mortgage broker, sent falsified documents ordered to pay $35K
A woman from B.C.'s Lower Mainland has been handed a $35,000 penalty after admitting she "carried on" as a mortgage broker in the preparation of 10 mortgage applications, despite lacking the necessary registration.
Kelowna
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
-
B.C. emergency room closed for 3rd time in 9 days
The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.
London
-
Tenants evicted by bailiff and police at infamous Webster St. apartments
It is the final stage in a long fight - Tyler Jollymore and his mother Michele are among dozens of tenants who received N12 and N13 eviction notices almost two years ago.
-
Exclusive: Sneak peek inside the $50 million renovation of Gateway Casinos London
More than a year into the extensive renovation of Gateway Casinos London the project is approaching a major milestone.
-
Man loses his hunting license after narrowly missing a municipal employee with an errant shot
A Huron County man has lost his hunting license after nearly hitting a municipal employee with an errant shot this past summer.
Kitchener
-
'The Vac Man': Cambridge, Ont. man with autism can fix just about every vacuum
Most people run away from messes, but one Cambridge, Ont. man runs toward them.
-
Clearing encampments in Cambridge and Guelph
Some people living rough in Cambridge and Guelph have been forced to find a new place to sleep after two encampments were dismantled this week.
-
Goodbye CKCO: Crews complete teardown of CTV Kitchener's former home
The long-time home of CTV News Kitchener is now nothing more than a memory.
Northern Ontario
-
New Pentagon report on UFOs includes hundreds of new incidents but no evidence of aliens
The Pentagon's latest report on UFOs has revealed hundreds of new reports of unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena but no indications suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
-
Fire destroys shelter for women, families in First Nation near the Sault
A fire has closed a shelter for women and families fleeing abuse in Batchewana First Nation, just outside of Sault Ste. Marie.
-
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Toronto's first 'Eras Tour' show kicks off at Rogers Centre
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
Atlantic
-
Halifax Water asks customers served by Lake Major to conserve water
Halifax Water is asking residents and businesses supplied by the Lake Major Water Supply Plant to begin following voluntary water conservation measures.
-
New Brunswick's premier sends out minister mandate letters, outlines expectations
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has given marching orders to her new cabinet ministers to fulfil promises made during last month's election.
-
Advocates push to get light rail on track as Nova Scotia election issue
The 2021 Nova Scotia election was dominated by health care, but this time, no single issue has captured attention quite the same way.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland man electrocuted by downed power line, two women injured
Police in Newfoundland say a man was electrocuted Saturday by a downed power wire about 10 kilometres north of St. John's, N.L.
-
What is 'recitation?' Newfoundland tradition-keeper returns to stage from 100-day cancer-treatment isolation
On Thursday morning, Dave Penny officially ended a suggested hundred-day isolation period that followed his diagnosis and stem cell treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On Thursday night, Penny returned to a stage at a downtown St. John's bar, regaling a small crowd with songs and stories with a distinctive Newfoundland flair.
-
Newfoundland beach blobs are plastic pollution, but source remains unknown: scientist
A Memorial University scientist says the mysterious white blobs washing up on Newfoundland beaches are actually gobs of plastic -- and they need to be cleaned up.
