Country Thunder 2025 will be rolling into central Arizona in the next few weeks, but first, country music fans can enjoy the “opening act.”
Florence is the long-time home of Country Thunder since it left Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek in 2003.
During the long Country Thunder weekend, thousands of fans from across the Valley descend on the roads and highways in and around the small Pinal County town.
To say thanks, the organizers of the big festival put on a special, free concert for Florence the weekend before the main event called Road to Country Thunder.
This year’s Road to Country Thunder runs 3-10 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at Sixth and Main streets in Historic Downtown Florence.
The show is hosted by the town of Florence and Country Thunder, which picks up the bulk of the costs.
Road to Country Thunder showcases up-and-coming country music artists, as well as state and local performers.
Also returning this year is Battle of the Bands.
“Three incredible acts — Tater Hogansongs, Arizona Peaches and Highway Outlaws — will hit the stage and give it their all for your vote and the title of Battle of the Bands Champion,” stated Jeff Grave, Florence’s communications and intergovernmental relations manager, in an email.
Here’s the schedule for Battle of the Bands:
3:30 p.m. - Tater Hogansongs
4:45 p.m. - Arizona Peaches
6 p.m. - Highway Outlaws
The main Road to Country Thunder music acts run 7:30-8:45 p.m.
The music may be the draw but there are plenty of other activities to enjoy at Road to Country Thunder.
The whole family can have fun at the kids’ zone at Padilla Park, 77 W. Ruggles St., which will feature a newly renovated splash pad, inflatables and backyard games.
Around the concert site there will be a beer garden, food trucks and vendors selling all kinds of Western and country-inspired items.
The following weekend, Country Thunder 2025 runs April 10-13 at Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 E. Water Way, Florence.
Country Thunder 2025 will feature headliners such as Keith Urban, Riley Green, Hardy, and Bailey Zimmerman.
Other acts scheduled to perform include The Kentucky Headhunters, Tucker Wetmore, Sara Evans, Ashley McBryde, Jake Owen and more.
The festival includes food, drinks, camping and a variety of VIP experiences.
Tickets start at $166 per person, per day for general admission and up to $738 per person depending on the VIP experience weekend package. VIP packages can be purchased for the entire weekend or per day. There are also charges for camping, parking and shuttle service.
Reserved seating at the festival is sold out, according to the Country Thunder 2025 website.
Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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