By Alec Salloum

Weather wreaks havoc on the Craven Country Jamboree

Jul 12, 2015 | 9:16 AM

The biggest acts in country music, and 25,000 fans, are in Craven for the annual Craven Country Jamboree (CCJ). 

The festival is held in the winding Qu’Appelle valley just outside the small town, which swells in size to become Saskatchewan’s third largest city. Festival goers are there for the music, to see old friends, to party, camp and more.

The weather at the Jamboree rarely cooperates, and this year is no exception. Temperatures have been over 30 C for the first three days of CCJ, and on Saturday heavy rain and thunder forced Brett Kissel off the stage to wait it out.

But more than anything, the heat this year has been unbearable for some. “30 above at 9:30 in the morning is not meant for people,” remarked festival-goer Callum Bradly.

On Friday, 61 people were treated for illness or health concerns related to the heat. Two people were sent to Regina for additional treatment.

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“A party has always got a bit of alcohol involved, but alcohol can actually drain the fluids from your body,” said Belinda Mitchell, coordinator for emergency services at the CCJ.

People are being urged to stay hydrated, to get out of the sun when they can, and to wear plenty of sunscreen.

“We have staff that go around through the campgrounds all day long handing out Gatorade, Powerade, water.  Monitoring people, watching… we’re all kind of watching for the signs and symptoms,” said festival spokeswoman Kim Blevins.

Festival-goers without air-conditioned campers tend to get creative with their methods of keeping cool. From kiddy pools, to makeshift pools built with tarps and truck beds, people are finding ways to stay cool.

ASalloum@rawlco.com
On Twitter: @AlecJSalloum