Country Thunder Alberta is coming to take Calgary by storm
I talked to Megan Benoit about the upcoming festival and what fans can expect to see this year.
Megan BenoitWe are gearing up for another summer chock-full of music festivals in Central Alberta. Across the province, line-ups are being finalized, stages are being set up, and people are looking for last-minute tickets. The question is: how does one choose which festivals to attend? I sat down with Megan Benoit, the digital manager of the Country Thunder Festival, to discuss why Country Thunder should be a top choice.
The festival is brimming with Canadian talent. British Columbia (B.C.)-born Cameron Whitcomb, a fast-rising country star, is featured as a secondary headliner. Benoit emphasized that “there’s just so much talent in Calgary and in Alberta.” Country Thunder strives to “shine a spotlight on” homegrown music.
“I always recommend checking … out … that secondary stage,” she stressed. Tons of lesser-known Canadian artists are featured at earlier performances and on secondary stages. Acts such as Alberta’s Megan Paige, Prince Edward Island (PEI)’s Nolan Compton, and B.C.’s Melissa Livingstone will be tearing up the side stages. Benoit pointed out “you never know who’s going to play … [at] two o’clock on … [a small] stage and then be a headliner next year.”
The location of Country Thunder is another huge draw. “There’s so many other festivals that are … in the middle of a field [and] you go camping,” Benoit said. Placed “right in the heart of downtown Calgary,” Country Thunder is steps away from amazing restaurants and hotels. The festival even has hotel packages that allow you to purchase your tickets and accommodations all in one place.
When asked what to expect out of a Country Thunder experience, Benoit found it hard to put into words. “It’s not a tangible thing,” she said, “the energy and the atmosphere of this festival … is truly unique. It’s just something that you feel when you’re there.”
Obviously, the music and live performances are the main draw, but Benoit stressed that Country Thunder provides so much more. Between vendors, food trucks, and games, there’s something for everyone. “We always pride ourselves … on giving fans … a money-can’t-buy experience,” Benoit noted. From meet-and-greets to special surprises, Country Thunder aims for a priceless experience.
Country Thunder Alberta is running from June 26–28 in Calgary.
