The Keremeos Rodeo Grounds will be filled with the sound of music as it plays host to the first of two Country and Bluegrass Jamborees from July 11 to 13.
The jamboree takes place the week after the Summertime Bluegrass Festival, traditionally held in Summerland but moved to Falkland this year, and the jamboree brings in many of the musicians who take part in the other event.
Unlike other music festivals or jamborees, Keremeos doesn't pay any of the musicians to come down, which keeps the event more affordable over all. That has helped bring musicians from as far as Sicamous or Vancouver to come out to the Similkameen for the weekend's event.
For non-musicians who want to enjoy the music, the price is as low as a donation, which goes to support the Rodeo Grounds.
The Keremeos jamborees are so popular they've expanded to being held twice a year, with a second set for Sept. 5 to 7 in 2025.
Many of the musicians arrive at the Rodeo Grounds in advance, camping out on the site, before the Jamboree starts on July 11.
After breakfast and the morning workshops, the stage opens up at 1:30 p.m. and stays open until 5 when everyone breaks for dinner, and performances start back up again at 7 p.m.
On July 12, things start a bit earlier with the band scramble at 9 a.m. followed by the open mic at 1:30 p.m.
Dinner on both Friday and Saturday will be served up by the Keremeos Rodeo Association for $15 a person, open to the public, and people are invited to come down and make it an evening out.
On Sunday, the gospel session kicks off at 9 a.m.
Everything is held at the Keremeos Rodeo Grounds at 3012 River Rd.
