The Bow Valley Jamboree returned with vibrant energy on Aug. 10, drawing a crowd of around 700 people to Oxbow for a day of music, art and community celebration.
Carole Stewart, one of the directors of the Oxbow Arts and Cultural Committee, described the event as "fabulous" and highlighted the beautiful weather and great turnout, with people coming from all over the province.
"The weather was beautiful. The music was phenomenal," Stewart said. "Attendance was great. … The year after COVID, we probably had 900 but that was highly unusual. So, I would say this year was strong, if not stronger, than any other year other than that one-year that we've had. …And our campground was absolutely full of campers and tents."
Since its inception in 2010, the jamboree has welcomed musicians and artists from across Canada, with an emphasis on Saskatchewan talent. The Oxbow Arts and Cultural Committee, whose focus is to bring music and the arts to southeast Saskatchewan and to help promote and provide opportunities for up-and-coming artists, present the jamboree.
This year, the jamboree featured a line-up of bands travelling from both Saskatchewan and Manitoba to perform at the festival, with music playing from the afternoon to well into the night. Crowds were entertained with a variety of musical genres, ranging from Celtic to country to classic rock.
The day featured music by Kilted Wind, Teagan Littlechief and her band, En.O.Dee, the Walbaums, Ryan Keown and his son Austin Ryder, The Bromantics, The Uncoolas and recently reunited southeast band Six Days 'Til Sunday, who closed out the night.
"People were dancing from probably five o'clock on or six o'clock on, and never sat down until one in the morning," Stewart noted.
In addition to the music, the event showcased local artists in an art tent, where community members displayed their work. A special highlight this year was the limited edition T-shirts featuring artwork by a young local artist, which quickly sold out.
"There is a local artist, a young boy in town that drew a poster of the jamboree. And so, this year, we decided to make limited edition T-shirts with his artwork on the back. They sold like hot cakes, and you could only get them if you're at the jamboree," Stewart said.
Food was another big draw, with a variety of options provided by local vendors and organizations. The Lions Club offered a roast pork dinner, while other food vendors included Get in My Belly, which is a popular food truck, a group serving Filipino cuisine and one of the local churches.
"The food was great, and the vendors were selling out," Stewart commented.
The event also featured a children's area, with activities ranging from a bouncy castle to a fishpond, and art activities to a scavenger hunt organized by the local library.
"Our children's area was well received, with lots of activities for the kids," Stewart added.
Many other local organizations and entrepreneurs were involved with the event.
"The legion was there selling tickets for their car, and then we had a jewellery booth, a hair-doing, necklaces, natural products and baking," Stewart listed.
The selfie board, introduced last year, was brought back. The Shriners took care of the people mover, which helped make the event more accessible for everyone.
Stewart emphasized that the Bow Valley Jamboree is not just about entertainment but also about fostering a sense of community.
"We really do this to break even or make just a little bit to have a better festival over the next year," she explained, noting that the primary goal is to ensure its continued success.
The town also organized a couple of events around the jamboree. A car show was held in Oxbow on the day, and a pancake breakfast was served out in the park the following morning.
The Bow Valley Jamboree has become a staple in the community. Looking ahead, Stewart encouraged those who have not yet experienced the jamboree to mark their calendars for next year's event, scheduled for Aug. 9, 2025.
"It's always the second week of August, and it's so reasonable. … You get six or seven bands, depending on how long each band plays, phenomenal musicians and talent, beautiful weather, a beautiful day in the park," she said.
"If people haven't been to it, they really need to come. I hope more people will recognize and come. We have a great crowd, but I think people are missing out if they haven't been yet."
More information can be found at bowvalleyjamboree.org and on the Oxbow Arts and Cultural Committee's social media pages.
