Country music fans from far and wide began flooding into the Cowichan Valley Thursday for the biggest music festival of the year: Sunfest.
As temperatures soared and the sun beat down on the Cowichan Exhibition grounds where the festival has found a home for the last several years, thousands set up tents and campers and staked out spots by the stage.
Excitement was high as festival-goers eagerly anticipated seeing live some of country's biggest stars including Saturday headliner Keith Urban, Thursday main act Lee Brice, Friday headliner Joe Nichols, and the return of Thomas Rhett, Sunfest favourite, on Sunday.
The huge festival will also be a chance for country fans to see breakout star Sam Hunt, and have a blast with Chasin Crazy and B.C.'s own Madeline Merlo.
Festival organizers are reminding ticket holders that they must pack out anything they bring in this year in an effort to reduce garbage on site, and that due to tinder dry conditions people are reminded to stay hydrated, not drop cigarette butts, or light any fires.
Some tickets are still available, so if you want to get in on the action go to sunfestconcerts.com