Toby Keith headlines Saturday night
~courtesy of The Scranton Journal/Bayard News Gazette
It’s time for River Ruckus! The ninth annual Guthrie River Ruckus hits the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center with a vengeance this weekend. An estimated 17,000 fans are anticipated to purchase tickets and listen to three nights of country music entertainers on July 27 – 29.
The fairgrounds have never looked better with grass mowed and trimmed and buildings painted and spruced up to prepare for the onslaught of guests. The campgrounds are expected to sell out as many folks stay on the grounds to enjoy the entire weekend of music and activities.
Everyone admitted to the grounds must have a ticket purchased for the concerts, including the free concert on Thursday night. Children under the age of 12 get in free but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Only general admission tickets are available. All others are sold out. The bulk of the camping spots are reserved, too. Many campers are already parked in their spots.
Promoter Grant Sheeder is pleased with how the weekend is shaping up. “We’re looking forward to a big weekend of music and activities,” said Sheeder. “It’s all coming together now.”
Thursday is a free concert by Cody Hicks and Casey Muessigmann, starting at 7 pm.
Gates open an hour before the shows begin on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s schedule kicks off with Muessigmann at 6:45 pm followed by Colt Ford at 8, Joe Nichols at 9 and Dustin Lynch at 10:30.
Saturday is the big night with Jeremy McComb taking the stage at 6:20, followed by Clare Dunn at 7:10, Granger Smith at 8:30 and the headliner Toby Keith at 10 pm.
There will be food and drink vendors on the fairgrounds serving a variety of foods throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and after show meals from Friday morning until Sunday morning. A convenience store will be stocked near the camper check-in location where purchases of ice, water and Gatorade may be made.
Other activities are on tap including a beer can chucking contest on Thursday from 7 to 9 pm; helicopter rides and a bags tournament on Saturday. What is a beer can chucking contest? A radar gun is set up to measure the speed of the old beer can contestants throw against the wall. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest throws.
Shuttle service is available from Springbrook State Park on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 8 pm and 10 pm to 1 am. There will also be one pick up and drop off both nights from Stuart. Pickup is at 5 pm with a return trip to Stuart after the show.
“I am so proud of the community, especially the fair board members and friends who have worked so hard to make this evening happen,” added Sheeder. “We couldn’t stage this event without the help of many volunteers and helpers who come together to pull this off.
“Thank you to everyone who has a part in this venture,” concluded Sheeder.
