A sneak peek into the excitement of Boots and Hearts
Canada's largest camping and country music festival, Boots and Hearts, in Oro-Medonte has officially kicked off its 13th year.
On Thursday, crews carried out some last-minute sound and lighting checks.
"There are about 25 of us all together and we’ve been making friends everywhere we go," says Kyle Clarkin.
Two stages are being used this year. The main stage and the front porch stage.
Boots and Hearts in Oro-Medonte Ont., on August 8, 2024. (CTVNews/Rob Cooper)
A total of 35 country music artists will perform over the next four days with up to 40,000 fans expected a day.
"New people new experiences," says Ashton Shaw.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
“The music, the singers, the coming of everything is just so much fun here this is the best place to be on earth,” says Madeline Morganelli.
This year's lineup will feature 14 Canadian artists. Including Alexa Goldie who has been coming as a fan for the last six years.
"You know you get to network back here get to meet new people you get new experiences. I’m going to learn so much being on stage today and being with the other artists and seeing how I can improve myself, it’s a good learning day for sure," says Goldie.
Boots and Hearts in Oro-Medonte Ont., on August 8, 2024. (CTVNews/Rob Cooper)
“We’re very excited, we even make sure to have Canadians that we have never had before and we’re just going to enjoy all of Canada's top talent," says Brooke Dunford.
Cody Johnson, Thomas Rhett, and Jason Aldean are the headliners. The event runs right through to Sunday night.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
At least 2 dead, 60 hurt after car drives into German Christmas market in suspected attack
A car plowed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities suspect was an attack.
16-year-old German exchange student dies after North Vancouver crash
A 16-year-old high school student from Germany who was hit by a Jeep in North Vancouver, B.C., last weekend has died in hospital, authorities confirmed.
Poilievre to Trump: 'Canada will never be the 51st state'
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is responding to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s ongoing suggestions that Canada become the 51st state, saying it will 'never happen.'