Sask. woman wins one-millionth fan at Country Thunder

Country Thunder did the math and welcomed its one-millionth fan to the festival this year.

Darby Klassen was the lucky winner, a four-time Country Thunder attendee from Central Butte.

“I was speechless, which I am rarely ever speechless,” she said. “I usually don’t stop talking. I was very shocked because I usually don’t win things. Of all the things that I could win, I won this amazing once-in-a-lifetime giant prize.”

She walked away with two Platinum Experience passes with artists’ hospitality access for life as well as a prize package worth $20,000 from various Country Thunder sponsors.

“It’s like Christmas in July,” Klassen said.

Darby Klassen (middle) attended her first Country Thunder 10 years ago with her parents. (Darby Klassen/submitted)

She also won an autographed guitar from the performers of this year’s festival, including some of her favourite artists: Nickelback and Luke Combs.

“That in itself would have been an amazing prize to receive,” she said. “It was insane.”

The guitar was precious cargo that she wanted to make sure was kept safe.

“When I got the pictures on stage they hadn’t got Luke Combs to sign it yet so they kept it to get him to sign it,” she said. “Once the concert was over they had texted me that it was signed and that I could come grab it that night. But I was like, ‘I am not walking back to my campsite with that through the crowd of people. I’m not taking the risk of someone stealing it from me.’”

READ MORE:

• Saskatchewan RCMP respond to 147 calls at Country Thunder
• Flamingos, spin-the-wheel, bean bag toss and more at Country Thunder
• Feel-good businesses thriving at Country Thunder

Her lucky ticket was scanned in on Friday, July 12, between 6 to 7 p.m.

She plans to take turns treating her friends and family to the special VIP experience every year. She took her best friend with her to experience Luke Combs front row on Sunday night.

Darby Klassen (cowboy hat, middle) plans to treat her family and friends with the VIP experience in the years to come. (Darby Klassen/submitted)

“I mean I may as well,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t think there can be a question about it now.”

Her dream performance would be Alan Jackson.

According to Megan Benoit, Digital Manager for Country Thunder, the festival saw about 22,500 people on the grounds daily.

Despite the heat, the grounds were close to capacity with attendance at the highest since 2010, according to a statement from Country Thunder.

Darby Klassen (left) treated her best friend to the front-row experience for Luke Combs on the final night of the festival. (Darby Klassen/submitted)