Country Thunder is a highly popular music festival hosted throughout multiple cities across the states such as Arizona, Florida and Wisconsin. Multiple headliners are announced around August to take on the festival every year. Country Thunder is one of the biggest music festivals that is hosted as it draws in multiple people each year.
Last year in Twin Lakes, Wis. the main headliners were Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean and Keith Urban. Some past headliners include Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, Blake Shelton, Hardy and Luke Bryan. The festival includes food, games, rides and most importantly, music.
This year’s headliners were released on Nov. 9, 2023, consisting of Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, Nickelback, Eric Church and Koe Wetzel. There have been over a handful of mixed opinions on these headliners, many of which, are negative.
The guests are given options such as camping out for the weekend or driving to the concert every day. There is a campground where the guests are encouraged to bring campers, trailers or RVs. The gates open at 9 A.M. which continue all the way to around 11 P.M.
Sophomore Miley Volkmar has been going to Country Thunder for the past six years and plans to attend again in the future.
“I think they are pretty good this year and I am excited to see Eric Church,” Volkmar said. “I want to see Luke Combs and Luke Bryan again. They were really fun the last time I saw them.”
Many artists who perform at the festival love to interact with the crowd and show their excitement to be there. Volkmar’s first time at Country Thunder, she was able to interact with The Brother Osbornes.
“My first year ever going to Country Thunder, The Brother Osbornes came into our tailgate and started playing dice with us,” Volkmar said. “They were shooting a promotional video and I got in it when they were signing my hat,” “That was just a really fun memory and made me want to go back ever since,” Volkmar said.
On Nov. 2, 2023, the festival was about to launch its headliners for the year via Instagram. One of their posts was a picture of sophomore Kate Sheehan and Volkmar in the picture showing them having the night of their lives. This picture shocked both Sheehan and Volkmar since they were posted on such a huge platform.
Almost 36,000 guests attend Country Thunder every year which can make the fairground crowded. Senior Kayla Jackel has gone to Country Thunder for the past four years.
“The craziest thing that happened to me at Country Thunder was getting pulled up on stage by Russell Dickerson and seeing how many people were actually there and seeing it all from the artist’s perspective,” Jackel said.
Jackel was up close enough to be seen by Russel Dickerson. There are multiple types of wristbands to purchase which can indicate where you will be standing throughout the night and how close you are able to be to the performers. Sheehan has been attending Country Thunder for the past four years and was able to explain how it feels to be up close to the stage.
“It feels honestly amazing to be that close to the performers,” Sheehan said. “It feels like they can see you, it is the best feeling.”
With the crowd erupting into cheers, Country Thunder leaves unforgettable memories for both performers and attendees. This festival can lead to an amazing experience if you enjoy country music and more than thousands of people look forward to this music festival every year.
