Latest news with #Rockin'Thunder
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
AGLC Announces Cannabis Welcome at Alberta Concerts and Festivals
Plantlife Cannabis Poised for a Busy Summer EDMONTON, AB, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ - In another nationwide first, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) is expanding cannabis access at public events. Already the first and only province in Canada to permit cannabis sales at 18+ events, cannabis will soon be available at most concerts and festivals. "We see this as a natural evolution of where cannabis retail is headed," said Ian Scott, VP Operations, Plantlife Cannabis. "Festivals bring together a wide range of Albertans — and by operating in designated 18+ zones with transparency, education, and full compliance, we're showing how cannabis can responsibly exist in the same spaces as beer gardens or food trucks. We're proud to be leading this shift." What the New Policy Means "Effective immediately, cannabis store licensees may apply to AGLC for an extension of their licence to temporarily sell cannabis at events and festivals where minors are permitted. Sales shall only occur in designated areas of the event or festival where minors are prohibited." Until now, cannabis sales were restricted to adults-only (18+) events. Retailers could sell cannabis only with a temporary license extension from the AGLC, and sales could not occur within designated consumption areas. Under the updated rules: Cannabis may be sold at events where minors are present, if restricted to 18+ zones Consumption areas remain separate and 18+ only Only licensed Alberta retailers can apply for these special permits This change opens the door for a more inclusive, regulated cannabis presence at Alberta's top music and cultural festivals. Plantlife Cannabis, Alberta's fastest-growing cannabis retailer, is ready to meet the moment. With multiple major festivals on the summer calendar, Plantlife is positioned to be among the first to legally sell cannabis on-site under the new framework. "This is a huge step for the normalization of cannabis in Alberta," said Marcie Kiziak, President of Retail, Plantlife Cannabis. "We've been preparing behind the scenes, and our team is ready to operate responsibly, visibly, and in full compliance at a new kind of cultural event." Where Plantlife Is Showing Up This Summer Branded Graphic Plantlife will be present — and selling — at several major festivals under the new policy: Rockin' Thunder – Edmonton – July 11–12 Cannabis was sold on-site in an 18+ zone; minors permitted elsewhere on festival grounds. Country Thunder – Calgary – August 15–18 Cannabis sales on site in an 18+ zone; minors permitted elsewhere on festival grounds. "We're proud to share that this past weekend's festival marked a successful step forward in integrating legalized cannabis into the live music experience. Our on-site cannabis sales were handled with the highest standards of compliance and responsibility, working closely with regulators to ensure a safe and seamless guest experience," said Gerry Krochak, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Rockin' Thunder and Country Thunder."The feedback from festival goers was overwhelmingly positive — guests appreciated the convenience and atmosphere, and we saw respectful, responsible enjoyment throughout the weekend. We're excited about the future of enhancing festival culture in a thoughtful and progressive way. We're also happy to have this partnership lined up for our Country Thunder event in Calgary this August." "This was a historic moment — we're proud to be the first retailer in Canada to offer legal cannabis sales at an all-ages event. Through careful planning, designated consumption areas, and clear separation from minors, we demonstrated that cannabis can be safely and responsibly integrated into major live events. This sets a new benchmark for what's possible in the evolving entertainment and cannabis landscapes," said Scott. Great Outdoors Comedy Festival – Edmonton – Adults Only Returning for the second year as a trusted on-site cannabis vendor. "We're proud to partner with Plantlife Cannabis as our on-site retail partner. Their commitment to education, compliance, and responsible consumption sets the standard for cannabis retail at live events. They've created a safe and welcoming experience that aligns perfectly with the values of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival ," said Mike Anderson, President Trixstar Entertainment, Great Outdoors Comedy Festival A First in Cannabis + Culture Integration Plantlife's approach to festival retail includes: Verified ID checks to enter retail zone extensions Branded but compliant signage inside retail zones Product education, not just transactions Partnerships with event organizers for safety and access planning "We're not just showing up to sell," said Scott. "We're there to educate, engage, and help cannabis feel like a normal, safe part of Alberta's cultural moment." Media Access & Interviews Press, content creators, and community partners are invited to: Visit the Plantlife booth at The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival for exclusive behind-the-scenes access Request interview from Plantlife team Request high-res photos, branding, and team bios Note on Compliance All sales and promotional activity are conducted in alignment with the Cannabis Act and AGLC regulations. No cannabis is sold or consumed in the presence of minors. Branded materials are factual, non-glamorized, and focused on responsible access.
Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
In the wake of successful inaugural event, tickets for Rockin' Thunder 2026 are now on sale
Article content And they'll get a chance to do it all again next summer. Article content The event, held at the Exhibition Lands saw two nights of rock music, including Def Leppard, Weezer, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Stone Temple Pilots, Bret Michaels and more. Article content CEO of Rockin' Thunder Music Festivals, Troy Vollhoffer, said the event was a big success. Article content Article content 'The energy and talent on display this weekend have surpassed our wildest hopes,' said Vollhoffer. 'Seeing the response for this first Rockin' Thunder has us excited to make some huge announcements very soon for 2026.' Article content Article content
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
In the wake of successful inaugural event, tickets for Rockin' Thunder 2026 are now on sale
Thousands of rock fans turned out July 11-12 for the first Rockin' Thunder event. Article content And they'll get a chance to do it all again next summer. Article content The event, held at the Exhibition Lands saw two nights of rock music, including Def Leppard, Weezer, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Stone Temple Pilots, Bret Michaels and more. Article content
Vancouver Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
In the wake of successful inaugural event, tickets for Rockin' Thunder 2026 are now on sale
Thousands of rock fans turned out July 11-12 for the first Rockin' Thunder event. And they'll get a chance to do it all again next summer. The event, held at the Exhibition Lands saw two nights of rock music, including Def Leppard, Weezer, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Stone Temple Pilots, Bret Michaels and more. CEO of Rockin' Thunder Music Festivals, Troy Vollhoffer, said the event was a big success. 'The energy and talent on display this weekend have surpassed our wildest hopes,' said Vollhoffer. 'Seeing the response for this first Rockin' Thunder has us excited to make some huge announcements very soon for 2026.' Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. There are a limited number of early-bird general admission weekend passes available for 2026 for $240. For more info, check out Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Edmonton Journal
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
REVIEW: Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Queensrÿche a killer kickoff to Rockin' Thunder
The monumental Rock of Ages is easily one of Def Leppard's defining heights of song — but it's also a nice way to describe the inaugural Rockin' Thunder music fest, kicking off with eight hours of straight, plugged-in, eternal AM radio rock Friday to an enormous party crowd. Article content Up top, headlining as night crept in: the aforementioned British quintet — ever in a tight race with Iron Maiden and Metallica in the 'most-seen T-shirts' contest around here. Article content Article content As such, arena-level masses of high thousands were no surprise, dancing, grinding and getting otherwise impressively pornographic in front of a bunch of elder blonde dudes, culminating in a scream-along Pour Some Sugar On Me in front of computer-graphic space motorbikes spewing lightning. Article content Article content Starting off with the deliciously proggy spoken opening to Queen of the Reich — just so we knew who was playing, perhaps — 13-year-member, Bob-Seger-vibed lead singer Todd La Torre quickly demonstrated his ceiling shattering tones to heights we really wouldn't quite hear again today, holding notes long enough to make all the resident dragonflies crash land. Article content Article content Queensrÿche, in a word, ruled, as anyone who enjoys the Ronnie James Dio era of Black Sabbath might tell you, the show ranging from a Priest-y-feeling Breaking the Silence to a wall-of-sound, guitar-explosive Warning, and sing-alongs I Don't Believe in Love and The Needle Lies, with co-founder Michael Wilton riff-blasting that sick skull guitar into our faces with his wicked metal scowl, back to back with evil-looking Mike Stone. Article content Article content They nodded to Ozzy and just-laid-to-rest Black Sabbath, but for my money, the growly, soaring Empire was the height, which the band capped off with Eyes of a Stranger after La Torre thanked their dedicated fans, or as he called them, 'repeat offenders.' Article content Hell of a start, already checking my watch, wondering how to handle such an onslaught for seven more hours. Article content Next up, after some hellos from the amicable and big-hearted Terry Evans, were Prairie rockers Toque, who I honestly did not know leaned into the covers so hard. But hey, in a crumbling world where we're waving in the ultimate karaoke of A.I. with such blind enthusiasm, may as well lie back and enjoy it!
