Country Thunder campers brace extreme heat in Craven

Country Thunder is up and running at Craven. Erika Madarash spoke to some campers about how they’re planning to beat the heat.

Country Thunder campers are preparing for a hot weekend in Craven, with temperatures forecast to reach 30 C on Saturday and Sunday.

Organizers have put measures in place to help festival goers stay cool, including a free water refill station set up in partnership with SaskTel.

“We will actually have a water refill station that we partnered with Sasktel,” Megan Benoit, the digital manager for Country Thunder said. “People can refill for free all weekend long.”

The advice comes as campers settle in for a weekend of sun, music and large crowds at the festival grounds.

Some long-time attendees say finding shade and helping one another is part of the experience.

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“The way we set up all of our trailers, the awnings kind of touch each other, we give each other some shade, get some water out, kind of have some fun with some squirt guns and just kind of play around with it and just enjoy it,” said James Runge, who has been going to Craven for almost 30 consecutive years.

Remi David, founder of Tide Cocktail Co, said people should enjoy the weekend responsibly and make sure to keep water nearby.

“We encourage people to enjoy them,” he said. “But also drink responsibly and mix in a water, if you can, to stay cool.”

Organizers are also reminding festival goers to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and take breaks in the shade as the heat builds through the weekend.

Country Thunder runs through Sunday in Craven.