Country Thunder Music Festival is making a few security enhancements this year, meaning changes to what you can and can’t take to the concert.
This year festival-goers won’t be allowed to bring in backpacks, large purses, camera bags or coolers to the concert area.
However, 14” x 17” clear plastic bags, one gallon disposable freezer bags, small clutches and fanny packs are all allowed.
“Women can bring in small-size purses,” Country Thunder Music Festival General Manager Kim Blevins said. “An easy judge is about the size of your hand, so a regular clutch-purse would be okay to bring in.”
The security and safety measures come following recent tragic shootings in the U.S., including the mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas in October.
“It’s not just about what happened in Las Vegas. Obviously that’s the closest to our business, but there’s been so much going on over the last several years with violence and potential terrorism,” Blevins said. “We just have to be mindful these days, we live in a bit of a different world now. We want to make sure that our patrons feel safe and they feel safe enough to come to the show.”
“It might be a little bit of an annoyance for people, but if the overall safety of our patrons is enhanced, then we’re willing to make that sacrifice,” she added.
Blevins also said plans are underway to enhance security at the Country Thunder gates this year, but couldn’t provide specific details.