Thousands head to Laketown Ranch as Sunfest gets underway
The 2023 Sunfest Country Music Festival, held at Laketown Ranch near Lake Cowichan, is headlined by Blake Shelton.
In the campground of Laketown Ranch near the town of Lake Cowichan, anticipation is building for Vancouver Island’s largest music festival.
Two early birds – both named Tiffany – are taking it all in under the shade of their trailer's awning before the Sunfest Country Music Festival begins.
“We did some early entry so we could get up front,” said Tiffany Lang.
“I’m very excited,” said Tiffany Shields.
Thursday night is the official kick-off party.
“Tonight we have Jade Eagleson on our Lake Night Stage,” said Mike Hann, festival director of Laketown Ranch.
“We have Lainey Wilson headlining tomorrow night,” added Hann. “Then Saturday it’s Bill Currington and then the big show on Sunday.”
The big show being Blake Shelton.
More than 10,000 tickets have already been sold and some are still available. If you’re hoping to score a campsite, you are out of luck.
“So you’ll have to find space elsewhere or shuttle back in forth from the Cowichan Valley,” said Hann.
In the neighbouring town of Lake Cowichan, Jakes At The Lake has staffed up in anticipation of a busy weekend.
"The town comes alive,” said Wade Gamble, the restaurant's general manager. “You see it in the streets – you see everything is bustling, everything is moving, and it’s really fun.”
Anyone hoping to go tubing down the Cowichan River might also want to consider bringing their own inner tube. Jillian Longbottom, manager of The Tube Shack, is expecting reservations to be booked solid.
“We’re expecting that it’s going to be super busy,” said Longbottom. “Especially with people kind of waiting for the concerts … they are looking for something to do in town so the restaurants get busier, the shops, us.”
Expectations are high in the lakeside town as thousands pour into the community to see some of the biggest country acts around.
“I’m going to say I’m excited to see Lainey Wilson,” said Lang.
“The highlight will be Lonestar and Bill Currington,” said Shields.
And of course there's Shelton, who will close out the festival Sunday night, sending thousands of country music fans home with a weekend to remember.
Vancouver Top Stories
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
W5 InvestigatesW5 Investigates 'It's a bad look': Calls grow to restrict high-tech car theft devices in wake of W5 investigation
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We're not the bad boy': Charity pushes back on claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute
Centenarian Mary McEachern says she knew what her husband wanted when he died. The problem is, his will says otherwise.
Bela Karolyi, gymnastics coach who mentored Nadia Comaneci and courted controversy, dies at 82
Bela Karolyi, the charismatic if polarizing gymnastics coach who turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power, has died. He was 82.
Trump names fossil fuel executive Chris Wright as energy secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has selected Chris Wright, a campaign donor and fossil fuel executive, to serve as energy secretary in his upcoming, second administration.
'A wake-up call': Union voices safety concerns after student nurse stabbed at Vancouver hospital
The BC Nurses Union is calling for change after a student nurse was stabbed by a patient at Vancouver General Hospital Thursday.
'The Bear' has a mirror image: Chicago crowns lookalike winner for show's star Jeremy Allen White
More than 50 contestants turned out Saturday in a Chicago park to compete in a lookalike contest vying to portray actor Jeremy Allen White, star of the Chicago-based television series 'The Bear.'
NYC politicians call on Whoopi Goldberg to apologize for saying bakery denied order over politics
New York City politicians are calling on Whoopi Goldberg to apologize for suggesting that a local bakery declined a birthday order because of politics.
Montreal city councillors table motion to declare state of emergency on homelessness
A pair of independent Montreal city councillors have tabled a motion to get the city to declare a state of emergency on homelessness next week.
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
King Arthur left an ancient trail across Britain. Experts say it offers clues about the truth behind the myth
King Arthur, a figure so imbued with beauty and potential that even across the pond, JFK's presidency was referred to as Camelot — Arthur’s mythical court. But was there a real man behind the myth? Or is he just our platonic ideal of a hero — a respectful king, in today's parlance?
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Vancouver Island
-
Co-owner of B.C. boat can't gift it to ex, must keep paying shared expenses, CRT rules
A former couple who bought a boat together took their post-breakup fight over its expenses to B.C.'s small claims tribunal.
-
B.C. Shania Twain impersonator leads documentary on the booming business of tribute bands
Swathed in a black, sequined catsuit, with a luxe cowboy hat tipped to the crowd, you could be forgiven, in a certain light, for mistaking Michelle Reid for the real deal.
-
Heavy rain mixed with strong winds hitting B.C. south coast over the weekend
Residents in Metro Vancouver will likely be getting out their umbrellas this weekend as the region faces heavy rain and wind.
Kelowna
-
Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops
Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops.
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
Edmonton
-
'We're not the bad boy': Charity pushes back on claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute
Centenarian Mary McEachern says she knew what her husband wanted when he died. The problem is, his will says otherwise.
-
Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse exits game against Leafs after Ryan Reaves head shot
Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse was left bloodied and had to be helped to the locker room after taking a hit to the head from Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves early in the second period of Edmonton's game against Toronto on Saturday.
-
Man arrested in connection with mini mart shooting: EPS
A 20-year-old man wanted in connection with the shooting of a convenience store worker in McCauley has turned himself in to police.
Calgary
-
Preliminary findings of Bearspaw feeder main investigation indicate multiple factors for failure
The city released preliminary findings of an investigation into the failure of the Bearspaw South feeder main late Friday afternoon suggesting that there were a number of factors behind its failure.
-
1 dead, 7 injured in 2-vehicle crash near Brooks
RCMP believe poor road conditions may have been a contributing factor in a two-vehicle crash near Brooks that killed a 51-year old woman.
-
'We're not the bad boy': Charity pushes back on claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute
Centenarian Mary McEachern says she knew what her husband wanted when he died. The problem is, his will says otherwise.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge and area charities, businesses to be impacted by Canada Post workers strike
Early Friday morning, the union representing Canada Post workers officially went on strike. The strike will have a wide-reaching impact on many Canadians, and it comes at a difficult time for charities.
-
Lethbridge-West residents still without representation five months after MLA resignation
A back-and-forth question between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi when it comes to calling a Lethbridge-West byelection has no distinct answer nearly five months later.
-
Students put math, science skills to work for cardboard boat in Lethbridge competition
Two hundred students from across southern Alberta set sail at the University of Lethbridge Thursday, in cardboard boats.
Winnipeg
-
Mother and daughter dead after semi fails to stop at intersection: Manitoba RCMP
An eight-year-old girl and her mother have died after a collision involving two vehicles in southern Manitoba.
-
Manitoba founding father Louis Riel honoured on 139th anniversary of execution
Nearly 140 years after Louis Riel’s death, dozens gathered to remember Manitoba’s founding father at his gravesite.
-
IN PICTURES
IN PICTURES Santa Claus Parade takes over downtown Winnipeg
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade returns today at 5 p.m. and be streamed live on CTV News Winnipeg.ca.
Regina
-
'Birth of a nation': Annual Louis Riel Vigil Walk takes place in Regina
Members from Métis Nation Saskatchewan along with residents paid tribute to the leader of the Métis people Saturday at the 15th annual Louis Riel Vigil Walk.
-
Santa Claus parade coming to Regina on Sunday
Christmas is fast approaching, and the Santa Claus parade is back to help people get into the spirit.
-
U of R Rams miss shot at Vanier Cup after losing Mitchell Bowl
The University of Regina Rams fell just short of a trip to the Vanier Cup after losing 17-14 to Laval University at the Mitchell Bowl on Saturday.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon sudden death deemed homicide: Police
Saskatoon police say the sudden death reported Friday evening is now deemed as the city’s 13th homicide.
-
Several collisions reported following freezing rain in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police responded to several collisions involving multiple vehicles Saturday morning following freezing rain and icy road conditions in Saskatoon.
-
Tim Hortons kicks off cookie campaign with wheelchair basketball
At Ecole Canadienne-Francaise the Sask. Wheelchair Sports Association is making cookies. This is to kick off the annual Tim Hortons cookie campaign.
Toronto
-
Infant taken to hospital after being hit by vehicle in downtown Toronto
An infant is in hospital after being hit by the driver of a vehicle in downtown Toronto Saturday night.
-
Toronto police ID man fatally stabbed during argument at City Place condo
Toronto police have identified the man who was fatally stabbed at a condo in City Place on Thursday and charged a suspect in connection with the incident.
-
Pedestrian dead after being struck by vehicle in Scarborough
A pedestrian is dead after being struck by the driver of a vehicle in Scarborough.
Montreal
-
Former CTV Montreal anchor Bill Haugland received lifetime achievement award
Former CTV Montreal anchor Bill Haugland was honoured this weekend by the Quebec Federation of Professional Journalists with a lifetime achievement award.
-
Rent in Quebec will keep going up
Rent hikes are expected to ease across Canada in the next few years — except in Quebec, according to a Desjardins report.
-
Quebec public health-care workers denounce 'privatization' amid $1B deficit
Health-care professionals in Quebec continue to denounce the government’s privatization of the network as it starts tightening the belt with hiring freezes.
Ottawa
-
SIU investigating police-involved shooting in Orleans: 'You see this on TV'
Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot and injured by police after he allegedly injured multiple people with a weapon in Ottawa's east end Friday night.
-
Residents rally for and against sprung structures in Ottawa this weekend
A proposal to build tent-like structures for asylum seekers continues to ignite fiery debate from residents in Ottawa with rallies both against and in support of the idea being organized this weekend.
-
What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Nov.15-17
Santa Claus arrives in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
Atlantic
-
Tom Forrestall, beloved Nova Scotia artist and Atlantic realism pioneer, dies at 88
Tom Forrestall, a celebrated Nova Scotia artist remembered for pioneering the Atlantic realism tradition, died at the age of 88 on Friday.
-
Heritage lost: Halifax has lost 87 per cent of its heritage buildings, new study says
A new project mapping Halifax's architectural heritage shows the city has lost most of its historical structures.
-
String of three murders in Nova Scotia raises alarm about intimate partner violence
Groups working to help victims of domestic violence in Nova Scotia say a recent string of murders of women provides just a glimpse of the extent of intimate partner violence in the province, and they say more action is needed to protect victims.
London
-
Firefighters compete on the ice to raise money for child burn victims
Nine teams of firefighters laced up their skates to not only compete for a title but raise money for a great cause on Saturday.
-
Hand painted float among attractions at Saturday's Santa Claus Parade
The hand decorated parade float will depart in the London Santa Claus Parade on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. from the Agriplex.
-
Canada Post workers in London joined 55,000 CUPW workers from across Canada on the picket line Friday
Postal workers hit the picket line Friday morning, and the strike comes as we head into the busy holiday shopping season.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus parade returns for another year
Kids and the young-at-heart lined Weber Street to catch a glimpse at old saint nick as the Lions Club of Kitchener held it’s annual Santa Claus Parade Saturday morning.
-
One person injured in crash at The Boardwalk
One person has been taken to hospital after a crash at The Boardwalk shopping centre in Kitchener.
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. school principal pleads guilty to luring, sending sexually explicit material
A former elementary school principal in Waterloo, Ont. has pleaded guilty to charges that include luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Teacher charged with sex assault of a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old teacher from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving two victims under the age of 16.
-
Timmins, Ont., rock band sets new world record Friday
The Timmins rock band Miners and Sons have made history. The group performed a rock concert in the world’s deepest base metal mine below sea level, breaking a Guinness World Record.
N.L.
-
English soccer game did not deliver such a big bounce for N.L. after all: province
Newfoundland and Labrador's return on investment for sponsoring a professional English soccer team was not quite as rosy as previously claimed.
-
Newfoundland man electrocuted by downed power line, two women injured
Police in Newfoundland say a man was electrocuted Saturday by a downed power wire about 10 kilometres north of St. John's, N.L.
-
What is 'recitation?' Newfoundland tradition-keeper returns to stage from 100-day cancer-treatment isolation
On Thursday morning, Dave Penny officially ended a suggested hundred-day isolation period that followed his diagnosis and stem cell treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On Thursday night, Penny returned to a stage at a downtown St. John's bar, regaling a small crowd with songs and stories with a distinctive Newfoundland flair.
