{"id":2410826,"date":"2026-05-11T02:23:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T02:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2410826"},"modified":"2026-05-11T02:23:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T02:23:03","slug":"country-thunder-music-festival-kicks-off-in-clearwater-after-chaotic-last-minute-move-from-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/country-thunder-music-festival-kicks-off-in-clearwater-after-chaotic-last-minute-move-from-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Country Thunder music festival kicks off in Clearwater after chaotic last-minute move from beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Country Thunder Music Festival begins<\/a><\/h4>\n

After facing backlash and moving locations, the Country Thunder Music Festival is roaring to begin. FOX 13’s Matthew McClellan has a look at the performances ahead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

CLEARWATER, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>Country Thunder is officially underway in Clearwater, after a last-minute venue change that followed weeks of controversy.<\/p>\n

The three-day country music festival runs May 8\u201310 at Coachman Park, where crews spent the past several days building stages, setting up sound equipment and preparing for large crowds.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Organizers expect around 8,000 people to attend the event, which features major country artists including Kane Brown, ShabRoozey and Zach Top.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why Did The County Thunder Music Fest Move?<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The festival was originally planned for St. Pete Beach, but that plan unraveled in the weeks leading up to the event.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Environmental groups raised concerns about the timing, pointing to sea turtle nesting season and the potential impact on shorebirds.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

At the same time, city officials said organizers had not completed the permitting process.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Despite those issues, tickets were already on sale while organizers worked to secure approval and find a path forward.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

With time running out, organizers ultimately decided to move the festival off the beach.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dig deeper:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A newly obtained agreement between the City of Clearwater and Country Thunder outlines how the event will be paid for and managed.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The document shows the festival will cost an estimated\u00a0$139,600 in city services, including police, fire, emergency medical response and park operations.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Organizers were required to pay about half of that cost upfront, with the remaining balance due after the event.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The agreement also states the city is\u00a0not providing any financial subsidy, meaning organizers are responsible for covering those costs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Country Thunder will keep all revenue from ticket sales, vendors and sponsorships tied to the event.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Event Rules<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The agreement also sets limits on how the festival will operate.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Concert sound must stay at or below 96 decibels, and there are hard curfews in place:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n