OXBOW - A popular annual music festival is going to make its return to Oxbow next month.
The Bow Valley Jamboree will be held on Aug. 6 at Bow Valley Park south of Oxbow, with music starting at 1:30 p.m. There will be a blend of first-time performers and favourites who have been there in the past. Several of the performers will be local.
Among the acts will be Pipes and Drums, which is a group of bagpipers and drummers from the southeast. Lori Moncrief, who is part of the Oxbow Arts and Cultural Committee that puts on the festival, said it should be a crowd pleaser.
Downwind, which is a group of southeast Saskatchewan musicians, is another crowd favourite that will perform during the day.
Country music singer Chris Henderson, who hails from Estevan, is also on the slate for this year. He has performed at the jamboree in the past.
One of the first-time performers will be award-winning Indigenous musician Teagan Littlechief, who is from the White Bear First Nations.
“She’s expressed that she’s thrilled (to perform) as well. She said that when she was a young gal, she thought about coming to the jamboree, and now that’s a dream fulfilled for her.”
The Bromantics, a group of six musicians who have performed at shows in the southeast and throughout the province this year, will bring their talents to the festival again this year.
Jamboree favourites the Tilted Kilts will be back this year. Moncrief described them as an energetic group. Dusty Rain is a group from the southeast with musicians from multiple communities looking forward to playing at the jamboree.
Blu Beach will close out the event.
“They play oldies and they play them really well,” said Moncrief.
The young people are excited to see Blu Beach because they want to see people their own age performing, and the older fans get to hear songs they recognize.
At one time, organizers didn’t want to have repeat performers, but based on audience feedback, people look forward to seeing the musicians who have been there previously.
Littlechief and Dusty Rain are the two new acts for this year.
A new board member, Kim Friesen, suggested the organizers print off photos from jamborees in years past and post them in a tent area.
“It’s really good to have new people bring new ideas, and we’re happy that Kim’s with us,” said Moncrief.
There will be food vendors on site and there will be a beer garden. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Tickets just went on sale. They can be purchased at Affinity Credit Union in Oxbow, Shopper K in Alameda and Michael’s Coffee Shop and Bakery in Carlyle. The committee has received phone calls, text messages and emails about how to get tickets.
“We’ve never done advanced ticket sales before,” said Moncrief. “We’ve had draws and what not, but this is the first time we’re trying this.”
Tickets will also be available at the gate.
Admission is $40 for those 19 and up, $25 for students 13-18 and free for children 12 and under. Moncrief said they are proud to be a family-friendly festival. The price of tickets has been consistent for a number of years.
“It stirs my heart to see kids running around with their friends, jumping up and down and dancing around in the park,” said Moncrief, who noted there is a playpark within Bow Valley, and people can also enjoy kayaking and boating in the river or hiking on the park’s hills.
