June 7, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree is coming Friday, July 6th and Saturday, July 7th to Downtown Smithville, Tennessee. Over 200 craft booth vendors plan to fill the courthouse square including a new category for repurposed crafts and furniture, along with all of the traditional handmade crafts that tourists travel hundreds of miles to see. Music competitions kick-off the start of each day at 9am running late into the evening, as shade tree pickers claim their favorite spots under the oak trees framing the courthouse lawn.
“We are pleased to announce several improvements to this year’s festival including a brand new website paid for by the James G. “Bobo” Driver family, long-time supporters of the Jamboree. The website features beautiful photos with easy to navigate information and live Twitter feed on their home page. Additional improvements include a 40×60 dining tent with cooling fans to give attendees a place to get out of the heat and eat in comfort with their family,” said Shan Williams, Director of Marketing for the Jamboree, “Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital has sponsored the tent to help reduce the chance of heat stroke and fatigue among spectators, along with providing supplies to keep the tables clean and sanitized. This is a wonderful partnership that was much appreciated for this festival.”
With the new dining tent in place, the Jamboree Board is reaching out to the DeKalb County community for teens and adult volunteers for various roles including much needed help in keeping the tables clean and clear of debris throughout the festival. Additional roles include: backstage assistants, craft booth hospitality, information runners, and program distribution.
“We currently have 25 dedicated Junior Jamboree Volunteers that helped us last year in multiple ways. With the new dining tent, we need more help than ever before. You can volunteer for a two-hour shift, or as much as a whole day. We are grateful for anything that you are willing to contribute. DCHS students can use these hours towards their Tennessee Promise requirements as well.” said Emily Burklow, Junior Jamboree Board President, “It takes all of us together to keep this festival clean and running smoothly. This is a great way to give back.”
To sign-up as an adult volunteer or join the Junior Jamboree Board, contact the Volunteer Director via text message 615-594-2792, call the Jamboree Office at 615-597-8500, or email: smithvillejamboree@gmail.com. For information on the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts festival, join their facebook page @SmithvilleJamboree, or go to: www.fiddlersjamboree.com.
About the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree
Join us for the 47th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival coming Friday, July 6th and Saturday, July 7th, 2018 to Downtown Smithville, Tennessee. Each day begins at 9am with over 35 music and dance categories, streets full of hand-made crafts, and food booths galore. Over 80,000 spectators fill the streets during this two-day music and dance competition. This FREE family-friendly festival has been named the official Jamboree & Crafts Festival of the State of Tennessee, along with being named the National Jamboree & Crafts Festival of the United States of America. The old-time Fiddlers’ Jamboree, started in 1972, invited T. Tommy of the Grand Ole Opry to be the first Masters of Ceremonies for the event, with WSM radio covering the weekend bluegrass competition. Come and see why over 80,000 people travel from across the nation, and the world, to watch time stand still, while they enjoy the best in old-time Appalachian bluegrass music, craft and dance.