For the 20th year in a row, hundreds of music enthusiasts converged around the Boscombe Community Centre to enjoy and perform a variety of country music. The Hillbilly Jam is dubbed as the centre’s largest fundraiser, and another year of promising weather ensured the event’s continued success.
Indeed the music that was played during this outdoor music festival, held from Friday and Saturday, was a hit with the spectators and musicians in attendance. Some chose to enjoy the songs by clapping their hands or tapping their toes from their lawn chairs, while others who knew the lyrics sang along to the tunes. The more energetic took to the outdoor dance floor while the music played.
Bill Zablotski of Bonnyville was one of the attendees that frequented the dance floor throughout the weekend. He says he has been “coming to the Hillbilly Jam for many years.” What draws him back every year “is the really good music and the great hospitality.”
Over the years, this event has evolved in terms of the variety of music that is featured in its lineup. There are many different forms of country that was presented to the audience, as well as some bluegrass and gospel acts.
The jam has also evolved to become an intergenerational musical event. One of the highlights of the weekend was an act that featured Bill Heide of Spruce Grove and his young granddaughters nine-year-olds Carah Layton and Kirsten McEwen, and 10-year-old Cassidy McEwen.
Kirsten said she has been performing with her grandfather, sister and cousin for three years at the Hillbilly Jam. She says the “music here is really good, and it is fun to hang out and perform with grandpa.” The girls come from Prince George B.C. to attend the event.
Heide, who as performed at this event four times, says it is special for him to take the stage with his granddaughters. His reasons for attending the event as similar to many others in attendance - “Everyone is really hospitable, and the music is enjoyable.”
The Hillbilly Jam features performers from all over Western Canada. One of the event’s main organizers Lois Bouchard says the festival provides opportunities for connections to be made among the artists.
During the event, musicians are scrambled together and take the stage with musicians they may not otherwise get the chance to play with. For example, Bouchard, who is a bass player, entertained alongside Cold Lake’s Dennis Landry, and Pearl Kuhn and Albert Stuart of Vegreville during a set.
While boasting a strong musical lineup can certainly be viewed as a reason why the Hillbilly Jam remains a popular annual event, a sense of a terrific social atmosphere was also present and adds to the event’s appeal.
The event closed out on Sunday afternoon with a special 20th anniversary performance that featured renowned St. Paul fiddler Calvin Vollrath, who is known across the country for his musical abilities.
