Country Thunder cancels 2020 festival in Craven due to COVID-19 crisis

After weeks of waiting and holding out hope, organizers of Country Thunder Saskatchewan have cancelled the 2020 event.

In a statement on its website, Country Thunder Music Festivals announced Tuesday it had pulled the plug on the show that was scheduled for July 9-12 in Craven.

“Like every other event that has been scheduled and has been cancelled or postponed, these decisions are largely out of your control,” said Gerry Krochak, the director of marketing and media relations for Country Thunder.

“We’ve been working with public health officials and government officials and the phases that are going to allow large gatherings are not going to be there in July.”

Country Thunder Saskatchewan Update. See you all July 8-11, 2021 🤠 pic.twitter.com/fzDUXa4BBv

— Country Thunder (@countrythunder) June 2, 2020

The pandemic previously forced organizers to delay Country Thunder shows in Florida, Arizona and Iowa. The Saskatchewan stop on the tour was cancelled due to public health orders that limit the size of public gatherings.

When Phase 3 of the provincial government’s plan takes effect next Monday, the maximum number of people who can get together outdoors is 30. The targeted start date for phases 4 and 5 of the plan haven’t been announced.

Krochak said there are a lot of different factors that go into booking a festival as well as postponing it.

“The big thing for us is we’re trying to secure artists for 2021 and come out with as much information as we can. We didn’t want to wait any longer,” Krochak said.

Country Thunder organizers said the 2021 festival will be held July 8-11.

All 2020 ticket orders will automatically be transferred to Country Thunder Saskatchewan 2021, according to Krochak. More details will be provided to the public June 12.

“In a lot of ways in the entertainment world, 2020 is … I hate to call it the lost year, and we have to face facts there’s a much bigger scenario at work here,” he said.

More than 20,000 people attend Country Thunder in Saskatchewan every year.