The Bow Valley Jamboree, a longstanding annual live music event, is returning to Oxbow this August.
The event will take place on Aug. 7 at the beautiful Bow Valley Theatre south of Oxbow. The festival will showcase the rich local music that southeast Saskatchewan has to offer.
The Oxbow Arts and Cultural Committee is eagerly waiting for future COVID-19 guidelines to be announced. At that time, ticket sales will begin, and advertising will amp up.
The Mercury spoke to Oxbow Arts and Cultural Committee members Lori Moncrief, who manages publicity, and Megan Andersen, who handles social media. They emphasized that the show will go on even if restrictions cap in-person attendance. The committee is looking at offering the event online for the community and beyond.
Andersen spoke about the adaptations the committee is considering for this year's jamboree.
"With the times, we're excited to be able to livestream or something like that for people who are far away, especially if we have reduced numbers so that people who are unable to attend can still watch," she said.
"We want to provide the opportunity for people to still enjoy the event who might not be comfortable being in a public place," said Moncrief.
Currently, the committee is waiting to confirm any musical acts publicly, but the event's main objective has always been to provide up-and-coming musicians with an outlet. The event also aims to highlight young performers and inspire audience members.
"Tweeners (performers in between the main acts) have been an important part of what we do at the jamboree. In the past, we've made a point of including young people," explained Moncrief.
Additionally, the jamboree focuses on creating a welcoming environment for people of all ages.
"We've made it a family-friendly festival. We want to see kids roaming around and dancing," she said.
Moncrief, a long-time volunteer on the Arts and Cultural Committee and a music lover, said her work is a way for her to give back to the community.
"The pandemic has kept us at home. We've been less connected. Some of us have been lonely, so it's a place to come together and have our souls fired up again. That's how I feel when I hear music. I think it's kind of a universal language."
The Arts and Cultural Committee recognizes that the success of the jamboree is the result of community interest and support. The proceeds from the jamboree will help the committee continue to put on other events for the community.
"Our committee is very grateful for the support that the community has given to us in the past. It's rewarding to have people come out. It's rewarding to hear discussion about it in the community. The other day I was at the Reach Café, and I heard somebody say, 'well, I sure hope there's going to be a jamboree this year.' It really touched my heart," expressed Moncrief.
You can find more information on the event and links to social media at bowvalleyjamboree.org and connect with the Arts and Cultural Committee by emailing oxbowacc@gmail.com.
