‘Most beautiful country:’ camper begins early cleanup effort

It’s a weekend of partying and music at Country Thunder, but it can leave things looking like a mess once it’s all said and done — but one woman is getting a head start on the cleaning process.

Irene Ross carries a plastic bag around the Craven grounds with her so she can help Mother Earth by picking up garbage that has been tossed aside by other campers.

“I think we live in the most beautiful country in the world and we should keep it that way,” she said. “We just do it on our way to and from (the campsite)”

This sort of thing isn’t something she just practices during the weekend festival either.

“I do at home, too. We live out in the country and when I go for walks, I pick up all the garbage in the ditches.”

Ross said the music festival is “kind of a big party” and, like most parties, someone’s got to clean it up.

No arrests or police calls Thursday night

Saskatchewan’s biggest country music festival seems to be off to a good start for police with no major issues on the first night.

According to Cpl. Rob King, they made no arrests and received no calls for service, but they did give out a handful of traffic tickets and warnings.

King said he wants to remind everyone attending Country Thunder of when to phone 911.

“If you have an emergency and you need to call the police, you’re calling 911. If you’re curious about whether or not your friend is missing or incarcerated in cells, don’t phone 911 for something like that; that’s something you phone to detachment.”

He also said if you need help, it’s important to give them a detailed description of your location.

“It’s things like this that makes things easier,” said King.

There’s also some new changes are coming into effect for festival-goers.

One of these changes is no bags such as backpacks and coolers are allowed into the stage area or on the main street, but clear plastic bags and small clutches are.

Country Thunder has also increased security this year.