There were a lot of familiar faces on stage during the opening ceremonies of the Smithville Jamboree Friday evening, as the Smithville/DeKalb Community Chorus entertained the crowd. The chorus’ renditions of patriotic music always stir up the crowd, and this year the group was in top form. The show even included the release of white doves during the end of their performance.

With this year being the 50th anniversary of the Jamboree, many people that have been associated with the festival over the years were invited back this year as a sort of homecoming. Many of the Jamboree emcees were on hand and recognized for their contributions. Ralph Vaughn, Bill Lee Austin, Andy Johnston, Louise Williams- Owen, Oscar Boyd, and Gayla Hendrix, along with Tom Duggin and Alex Woodward, who are the Jamboree emcees now, were on hand for the event. Longtime emcee Tim Woodward, who died in 2019, was also recognized during the Jamboree.

Families from two of the original founders of the Jamboree were also recognized. Mary Overton, daughter of Congressman Joe L. Evins, and Mickey Driver, son of James G. “Bobo” Driver, were on stage to honor their fathers. Both men were instrumental in forming the two-day event.