Country Thunder is taking over Craven this weekend. The four-day country music festival swells the population of the small town to make it the size of one of the biggest cities in the province.

The gates to the campgrounds opened Tuesday, and many rushing to get the prime spots ahead of the concerts. The music starts Thursday night and lasts until Sunday.

This year, the festival is introducing new rules concerning bags which will be allowed in the grandstand and Main Street area. Backpacks, large purses, camera bags and coolers are no longer allowed at any Country Thunder Festival, including the one at Craven.

The bags which will be permitted include clear plastic bags, one-gallon freezer bags and small clutches.

This year, the festival is being headlined by Big and Rich Thursday, Dierks Bentley Friday, Chris Young on Saturday, and Luke Bryan closes everything out Sunday night.