Logistical issues hamper Garth Brooks concerts at Thunder Ridge

Last edited 1:31 p.m., Oct. 7, 2022

Reports of logistical issues put a damper on a weekend of Garth Brooks concerts in Ridgedale, part of a series of events unveiling the newly expanded Thunder Ridge Nature Arena.

Brooks played three shows over the weekend at the Johnny Morris-owned Thunder Ridge property at Big Cedar Lodge. Tickets for each concert, priced at $98.95 on Ticketmaster, sold out, according to past reporting. The Oct. 1 concert alone sold over 55,000 tickets.

A Facebook group called Garth Brooks/Thunder Ridge Concert Feedback Group shined a light on issues that plagued the concerts, particularly the Sept. 30 show. Reports surfaced in the group of concertgoers waiting hours in traffic and for shuttles on a congested one-way road into the venue. Some customers indicated they missed all or part of the Friday concert due to the issues.

"If you are going to bring in the biggest entertainer in the world, you better have traffic and logistics of getting people to the venue figured out,” one poster wrote. “They did not. I will never be back."

Another poster wrote, "Because of all the problems on Friday and Saturday, I decided not to attend on Sunday. I am very disappointed."

As of deadline, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena had a 2-star review out of 5 on Google, with multiple complaints posted there, as well.

Additionally, myriad customers are seeking refunds, and some have mentioned potential class-action litigation should they not be issued. Some guests on Saturday and Sunday reported arriving hours early – in the morning and early afternoon – for the concerts that started in the evenings to avoid issues reported on Friday night. Guests who attended the concerts appeared to be impressed with the shows as well as the venue.

Bass Pro officials could not be reached for comment by press time. However, a Bass Pro official issued an apology in a KY3 report. The official said a company hired for the concert, ASM Global, had shuttles diverted from the event by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Hurricane Ian aid.

The country superstar's concerts followed Thunder Days on Sept. 23, when the Missouri Thunder, which is owned by Morris and Bass Pro Shops, held head-to-head matchups for the PBR Team Series at the property.

Located on 1,200 acres with views of Table Rock Lake and the Boston Mountains of Arkansas, Thunder Ridge officials have worked to increase capacity to roughly 50,000 guests from 10,000, according to past reporting.