It was the event that country music fans have been looking forward to for nearly three years. 

Country Thunder made its triumphant return to the Craven Valley over the weekend with thousands of people taking in the Festivities on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

“It was our first Canadian show since the pandemic, so we're just happy to be back and do it again next year. The fans were pretty amazing so it wouldn't be possible without all of them,” said Country Thunder’s Megan Benoit. 

However, it wouldn’t be Country Thunder without the weather getting in the way. Saturday saw temperatures soar to above 30 degrees. Then, on Sunday night, a storm decided to roll through. 

“I don't know what was going on with Mother Nature this weekend. She was not the most cooperative, but we made the best of it,” Benoit said. 

This year’s event included headliners such as Chad Brownlee, Lee Brice, Morgan Wallen and Blake Shelton. 

Benoit figured that Saturday is likely their busiest day with Wallen taking the stage along with Hardy, Mackenzie Porter, Shawn Austin and Detour. 

“Every single person in that venue was singing along to Morgan Wallen. So, we had a big crowd Saturday for sure. Then people stayed for Blake. I don't know the exact numbers, but it was definitely highly attended for sure,” Benoit said. 

Benoit noted that, although no names have been announced yet, they are already thinking about next year’s Country Thunder festival in Craven. 

Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan RCMP announced between Wednesday and Monday at 7 p.m., that it received 124 calls for service, which resulted in 19 charges laid. The RCMP’s busiest days were Friday, Saturday and Sunday when 31 people were arrested and held by police for various offences. 

Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan was dedicated to road safety during Country Thunder. It patrolled highways and gravel roads around Craven, Lumsden and Regina Beach. Between midnight on Friday to 4 a.m. on Monday, 162 warnings were issued, 55 tickets were written and there was one 72-hour license suspension.