community
june5
2014
Preparing for Jamboree
By Ernie Smith
What does the Vernonia Friend-
ship Jamboree and Logging Show mean
to you?
The people that started the Jam-
boree wanted a city-wide celebration
where old friends and new could get to-
gether each year to reunite for a week-
end of fun activities. That tradition has
continued now for almost sixty years as
our community, friends and neighbors
gather to celebrate our heritage and sup-
port the community.
I can remember when I was a
kid in the early 70s; Jamboree was the
weekend you waited for all summer.
The streets of Vernonia would be packed
with people and vendors, all enjoying
each other. I can remember that Jam-
boree stretched from one end of town to
the other with vendors and activities in
every nook and cranny.
Jamboree went on like this for
many years, but time and the economy
started affecting it little by little.
Now many people complain
that Jamboree has become nothing more
than one big drinking weekend party that
brings nothing but trouble to Vernonia.
Over the years every Jamboree
committee, which organizes and plans
the event each year, (and let me tell you,
there is a lot to organize and plan!) has
done the best job they can with what they
have to work with. There were even
a couple of times over the years when
Jamboree almost didn’t happen due to a
lack of volunteers, but each time a few
people have stepped up to make sure this
annual tradition happens.
Today, as the current Chairman
of the Jamboree Committee, I want to let
you know what is going on with Jambo-
ree and what you can expect to see this
year, and in the years to come.
First let me tell you what I find
most exciting about Jamboree. This year
we have a Jamboree Committee that is
made up of our future. We have about
ten members that are under the age of
thirty-five and they have all the energy
in the world. Many of them have young
families and are the future leaders of our
community. This group has been meet-
ing all year and have made it a goal of
bringing back the past and making Jam-
boree weekend more family friendly.
Maybe you’ve seen our new
logo? It was designed by one of our
new committee members, professional
graphic designer, Jessie Taylor. We
think it looks great and it will be fea-
tured on the T-shirts we will be selling
this year.
This year you can expect to see
our regular events - The Parade, Logging
Show, Motorcycle Show, Ridge Riders
Horse Gaming, Kid’s Fishing Derby,
Open Air Market, Library Book Sale,
Lawn Mower Races, Golf Tournament,
The Black Powder Encampment and of
course, the Softball Tournament.
This year the Car Show is back,
hosted by the West Side Cruisers. We
have also added a locally organized
Kid’s Zone activity area, a Heritage En-
gine Exhibit, and a Children’s Art Show.
Music in the Shay returns again this year
but we have also added a Main Stage for
larger music acts featuring Kenny Lee
and the Sundowners, Tevis Hodge and
Timberbound. We are still working to
book some other family friendly enter-
tainment acts; look for a final schedule
in the official Jamboree Program avail-
able July 4 th .
The Committee is also work-
ing on several ideas for future Jambo-
rees. We hope to reinvent the Jamboree
Court. We are still trying to find a carni-
val as well. We have been working very
hard to bring in more vendors and have
talked about a chain saw wood carving
contest. Another idea is to include some
old-fashioned activities like pie eating,
greased pig, greased pole and other con-
tests for kids and grown-ups. We are
also starting discussions to include the
annual Bear Creek Run as part of Jam-
boree weekend and may be adding a half
marathon as well.
The Jamboree Committee has
worked very hard to raise money this
year so we can have as many activities
as possible. We have created an official
sponsorship program which will help
fund Jamboree activities this year and for
many more years to come. A BIG thank
you to this year’s Presenting Sponsors,
Big Horn Logging and Mike Pihl Log-
ging, along with TNW Firearms, The
Cedar Side Inn, The Birk, Stub Stewart
State Park, and all the other businesses
who have stepped up to support this
year’s Jamboree so far.
With all the hard work that the
3
folks on the Jamboree Committee have
been doing, we still have opportunities
for individuals and groups to get in-
volved. If you have an idea for some-
thing you think would be great for Jam-
boree or read about something here that
sounds like you might want to help with,
please contact us and we will work with
you to make it happen.
Jamboree is a time to visit with
old friends and make new ones. We
want to provide an environment where
people want to come and reunite.
For more information about this year’s
Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and Log-
ging Show go to our webpage at www.
VernoniaFriendshipJamboree.com. You
can also find us on Facebook.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE
2014 SUMMER READING PROGRAM!
Stop by the Vernonia Public Library to fill out a registration form
June 17th - 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Program Introduction! Start the summer program oll
making your own Einstein Hair and lab coats. Learn about
activities occurring during the summer and how to earn
some amazing prizes!
June 18th
Bill Nye The Science Guy DVD 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
June 24th
Is It Alive? Living and Nonliving Things 10:30 a.m. - 11:30
a.m. You may be surprised to learn what things are and
aren't alive. Dirt and seeds are on the agenda.....be ready
to have some lun!
June 25th
Bill Nye The Science Guy DVD 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
* There will be programming lor youth K-6th and lor youth age 1-PreK**.
All programs are lree. 700 Weed Avenue, Vernonia
** Parent/guardian/adult caregiver is required to stay with child during program.
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