‘The family reunion of friends:’ Country Thunder is more than just music

Country Thunder isn’t just a music festival, it’s a place for family reunions and bachelorette parties.

This is Vickie Miller’s 33rd trip to the country music festival in Craven. Her parents went, and now she’s passing down the tradition to her kids.

“I call it the family reunion of friends because everyone has fun,” she said.

Miller goes to the festival with the same group of people every year. Her 1973 Blue Bird bus gets some of them to the grounds.

“We managed to limp her here and she’s back in action,” said Miller.

It’s called the ‘Brappasaurus.’ The name came with the bus when she bought it.

“It’s loud. When you get driving it, it starts going ‘brap, brap, brap,’ so it suits it,” she said.

Miller said everyone is welcome at Country Thunder.

“(You can) walk into campsites, visit people (and) meet people. That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “I’ve had the funnest times of my life out here.”

Some campsites are very eye-catching.

One camper was decked out in pink decorations for a bachelorette party.

A big sign painted with pink lettering says, “Rhyse’s last rodeo.”

(Left to right) Shantelle Seibel, Rhyse Coward and Savanah Clements pose in front of ‘Rhyse’s last rodeo’ sign at Country Thunder. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

Rhyse Coward is getting married in August. Her friends are throwing her one last hurrah at Country Thunder.

“I don’t think there’s any other place to do it than Craven,” said the bride-to-be.

Savanah Clements is one of the bridesmaids. She said the best part about the festival is meeting new people.

“You’re welcome at any site. Anyone will pull you in and hang out. (You can) just go everywhere,” she said.

When asked about her final rodeo, Coward said: “Make the best of it. Party hard for four days!”

Her friends encouraged people to come by to have shots to celebrate.