Jamboree is ready to go!

The Auction Barn Jamboree is up and ready to go!

Organiser, Gary Warner has found another property to accommodate 20 more thankful campers, and together with Cramahe's Director of Community Services, Dan O'Brien, has the fifth annual jamboree primed for its September 1 start.

Country legend, Gene Watson and Hank Williams Tribute artist, David Church will launch this year's Jamboree with early-bird performances on September 1 and 2. If you don't have a ticket yet you might be able to get one for the September 1 show. As he fielded phone calls looking for directions to Colborne and tickets, Gary noted that the September 2 show sold out long ago and there are six bus loads pouring in from across Ontario for dinner and the September 1 performances by Watson and Church.

The promoter figures there will be at least 650 people in Colborne on September 1 who have never been here before and another 850 the next day. They'll be driving in from all over the province. Some will stay for the entire six days of country excitement. To help keep them comfortable the Jamboree has bought another 200 chairs which it is donating to the Keeler Centre.

Gary says the Jamboree will welcome a lady who is flying from New Brunswick to take in the two early-bird shows.

Campers will get the traditional welcome packages, handed out by one of the 20 volunteers working the weekend. The show is the year-round work of Gary and co-promoter Linda Grills. As the show days approach, the two rely heavily on the expertise of Dan O'Brien.

The Jamboree itself, starts Thursday, September 3. And while Gary doesn't keep close tabs on the door sales, he has seen the camping numbers rise by 15% over last year. He expects sales at the door to be brisk.

This is the fifth year and Gary sees it as a marker. The Jamboree has grown each year and is now approaching capacity. This year patrons will see and hear the music of Quebec's Nelson Cole and a host of Ontario country artists. On Thursday and Friday nights he's saviing spots for a couple of talented 11-12 year-olds. One of the acts on closing night Sunday will be a band made up of 15-16 year-olds who have grown up in a country atmosphere and now perform in eastern Ontario.

Day passes this year are $15. A four-day weekend pass is $45. They can be bought at the door. Check the Auction Barn Jamboree ad in Cramahe Now for more details.