  |
|
|
|
The Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose AlbertaThe Country Music Festival that Gets this Small City Rocking
For one weekend every August the city of Camrose and thousands of visitors celebrate the Big Valley Jamboree.
The Big Valley Jamboree (BVJ) has been an annual event for 16 years as of this summer. This country themed party starts early in the morning and lasts well into each night. Stretched over 4 days in August the BVJ has everything from bull riding events to some of the most famous country music acts in North America all set on a 400-acre field turned miniature city within Camrose. The GroundsThe Big Valley Jamboree has laid claim to a plot of land once used as a crop field. Every year renovations and construction go towards making the campgrounds and event grounds more comfortable and useful for guests at the Jamboree. With camping on the site the party hardly stops for some carousing participants. The area set out for tents and RVs is large enough that there are sections available for family, handicapped, VIP, and of course the party crowd. Camping passes should be booked in advance with event tickets. The fairgrounds are spread out like a small, self-sustaining village just beyond the campground. On the grounds is the Marketplace Tradeshow arena with a wide variety of items for sale including art, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. Cowboy Country celebrates Western living with craftsmen like silversmiths and hat makers. There is the Rogers Family Stage where young entertainers and a hypnotist engage the crowd. The Axe Songwriter’s Workshop provides entertainment and a light education on writing music and lyrics. For those festival goers wanting to win big there are even slots on the grounds. With a wide assortment of food stands and an available breakfast from 7:30am until Noon visitors have all five senses sated. Kick-OffThe Jamboree starts with a bang every year with a Kick-Off Party that would have some revelers sleeping away the rest of the weekend. The 18 and over only soiree begins the evening before the BVJ officially opens. Around 6pm a night loaded with concerts and drinking starts at the Molson Saloon on the grounds. The shindig keeps rocking until the early morning only a few hours before the daily entertainment begins. Bulls for BreakfastEach day of the Jamboree literally jump-starts with the bull riding rodeo event called Bulls for Breakfast. At around 10am the riled up bovines begin bucking as the talented cowboys try to ‘stick it’ for 8 seconds. With an adrenaline rush and a good meal to start the day BVJ visitors will be ready to take on the big-ticket event. The Main StageThe Main Stage is what the whole Jamboree is centered on with around 30 acts performing live throughout the day and into the night. The concerts begin at 1pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday and end around 10:30pm nightly. With the long list of talented and world-renowned country music performers the Big Valley Jamboree has been the Canadian Country Music Association’s Country Music Event of The Year for 2001, 2004 and 2006. Some of this year’s stars include: Paul Brandt, Charlie Major, Sugarland, Trace Adkins and Trisha Yearwood. Seating for the concerts is organized by section with VIP, reserved and general admission. VIP and reserved seating need to be booked well in advance, there is an extra cost and there are generally wait lists for the opportunity to book these seats. For the many without special seating the concert bowl gates open at 9am. At this point guests are able to bring in lawn chairs and place them for the day. It is best for visitors to arrive early as the best spaces are taken quickly. This yearly event draws large crowds of veteran attendees and new guests alike. With so much to see and do each day of the country music festival there is entertainment to suit a variety of tastes. The Big Valley Jamboree may only last 4 days but the memories linger far longer. Information: 4238-37 Street, Camrose, Alberta Telephone: (780) 672 0224 Email: bvj@bigvalleyjamboree.com Approximate Ticket Costs: Adult 3-Day Pass - $195 Adult Single Day Pass - $80 Youth 3-Day Pass (Ages 12 to 15) - $155 Children 11 and Under – Free Kick-Off Party (18+) - $35 Camping - $85 to $120 Some tickets are available for less if purchased in advance. For tickets please call: (888) 404-1234 or visit Ticketmaster Canada.
The copyright of the article The Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose Alberta in Alberta Travel is owned by Natalie Bauer. Permission to republish The Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose Alberta in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
