June 6, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree Board of Directors will be seeking grants to help support the annual festival.
Kim Driver Luton, President of the Jamboree Board addressed the Smithville Aldermen Monday night to ask their blessing on the Jamboree’s efforts to obtain grants.
“We would like to apply for two or three grants that will be available July 1. One of the grants is from the National Endowment for the Arts and there will be enhancement grants, and others,” said Luton.
In order to obtain the grants, the Jamboree will need the city to make application on its behalf. If approved the city would not bear any matching grant costs. The Jamboree would pick up that expense.
Luton said the Jamboree is hoping to get a grant for a new cover (canopy/awning) for the stage which is an expensive project. The Jamboree has been without one since 2019 when a summer storm just days before the annual festival blew down and damaged the canopy and support beams.
City officials said no action was needed by the mayor and aldermen for the Jamboree to proceed.
“Thank you (city leaders) for what you do for that two-day weekend because we know it’s a very busy time for you providing sanitation, police, and fire protection,” added Luton.