Festival organizer plans return to four-day country jamboree in CK for 2010

Entertainers at 2009 Boot Hill Jamboree

Garry and Vicki Evans have turned massive farmland in Chatham-Kent into the home of what could become a major tourist attraction. Their first annual Boot Hill Jamboree in August drew people of all ages to the region from across Canada and the U.S.

The organizers say the caliber of talent and production of the first event held the Civic holiday weekend left a lasting impression on people who traveled from across Ontario and the U.S. to see performances by superstars including Travis Tritt and JoDee Messina. Jamboree followers told Garry Evans they plan to return next year.

“Everyone was pretty amazed at the caliber of entertainment and the quality of show with the biggest portable stage I could find, huge high definition video screen and three full days of entertainers performing 90 minutes,” says Evans.

The Evans searched two years for suitable land to host a major country music festival and found it in Chatham-Kent. After their exhaustive search, the couple purchased close to 200 acres of farmland here to make it the home of the Boot Hill Jamboree.

Advanced tickets are available for the 2010 Boot Hill Jamboree with a star-studded line-up to include a mix of Ontario bands, well-known Canadian artists, and superstar headliners.

“As the Boot Hill Jamboree grows and gains popularity so will the economic impact to Chatham-Kent. The Boot Hill Jamboree will be a major demand generator for tourism," says Joy Sim, Tourism Development Coordinator, Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services & Tourism.

Evans promises a 2010 festival that will incorporate suggestions from this year including a designated beer tent and garden and an alcohol-free area for families. VIP tents will be available for rent with meals catered for groups of 25 or more and children’s activities will be set up including a volleyball court. Shuttle service will also include a stop at Ridgetown’s Howard Johnson hotel.