When country comes to town

1 Free

You can leave your wallet in your pocket and still take part in some events. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., it’s FanFest at Prairieland Park. It’s a meet-and-greet with the artists set to the tune of lots of live music.

On Sunday before the awards show, there’s a free concert outside SaskTel Centre from 1 to 2:30 p.m. That’s followed by the John Deere Green Carpet from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m., where nominees, presenters and performers will sashay by.

2 Music

That’s what it’s all about. The CCMA Songwriters’ Series Thursday to Saturday is a three-day acoustic event in an intimate setting featuring the stories behind the songs. Notables like Jason Blaine, Buck Twenty and Carolyn Dawn Johnson will host. Tickets are $25. The Discovery Showcase on Thursday night, also $25, features six finalists of the 2017 CCMA Discovery Program — tomorrow’s stars. On Friday night, it’s the CCMA Legends Show with a huge list of performers like Ian Tyson and Brett Kissel. Tickets $45. Details at www.tcutickets.ca

3 Party

The CCMA Rock’n Country Cabaret is on Friday from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Prairieland Park. Brody Siebert, Tenille Arts and The Johner Brothers are some of the featured artists. Tickets $30 at www.saskatoonex.com.

4 Blake!

This year, superstar Blake Shelton is the international guest at the CCMA Awards. The fivetime winner of the Country Music Association’s male vocalist of the year award had the best-selling country album of 2016 with If I’m Honest.

5 Awards

The CCMA Awards go Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at SASKTEL Centre, broadcast on CBC at 8 p.m. Gord Bamford with Jim Cuddy and Saskatchewan’s own Jess Moskaluke are among those set to perform. And Blake! Tickets run from $42 to $120 at www.ticketmaster.ca