The sky was sunny and the ground was dry for the 22nd annual Country Music Jamboree held at Nickle Lake Regional Park last weekend. It was welcome weather for what may have been the end of an era.
The Canadian Cancer Society has decided that they will no longer supply the $20,000 investment necessary to put on the concert each year. The Jamboree may raise more than twice that amount each year, but without the initial investment, there will be no Cancer Jam.
Residents of Weyburn are optimistic, however. Last week's poll in Weyburn This Week determined that 71 percent of people think that the Jamboree will continue without support from the Canadian Cancer Society.
I am not certain who these people think can or will take on this hefty price tag, but we all have our own ideas of which organizations or corporations might take over the event.
It would be a shame to lose it after all these years. I am not a country music fan per say but I do enjoy live music, being outdoors and family-focused events.
It's not just about the money. A lot of work goes into putting on an event like the Country Music Jamboree. It also takes dozens of volunteers.
Volunteers work for free so they need an incentive, like raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society. If a corporation or organization takes on the Jamboree and decides to raise money for themselves or another charity, they may find the strong support for the event that they once had is no longer there.
Cancer affects so many lives; it is easy to get people behind the cause. Who knows what would happen if the annual event became the Arthritis Jamboree or the Heart and Stroke Jamboree. These two conditions are even more prevalent in our society than cancer but do not stir the same passion in people.
People are passionate about fighting cancer because it's so indiscriminating - anyone can get it - even healthy adults and children.
If the Country Music Jamboree does continue, I hope that a portion of the money raised still goes to the Canadian Cancer Society. That fact alone makes you feel good just for going.
Despite the uncertain future of the Jamboree, there was no sense of sadness at the weekend event. The same fine folks who continually volunteer their time to the Cancer Society happily worked away, proud of the fact that they were doing something for the greater good.
