Being from the city down south, this year marked my first Fiddlers’ Jamboree and I’ll just go ahead and tell you, I had a blast even though I was working most of the time.
Sure, I’d been up to walk around a couple of times in past years but this year was the first immersive experience from cover-to-cover of the annual event. This after watching the stage go up over the past couple of weeks and seeing the anticipation build for what is surely the Super Bowl of DeKalb County.
Granted, the Jam got out to a rough start as Mother Nature released her fury just after noon Friday.
“Hail!’ I exclaimed as I got hit right in my bald spot by the first pea-sized piece of ice that fell from the angry skies Friday. Granted, my bald spot gets easier and easier to hit every day.
After two hours of taking refuge, I returned to watch the afternoon competitions which were played in front of a small crowd, Jam fans likely wary of the coming storm on the radar. I understand it is pretty well a given that it will always rain on the Jamboree.
While the second storm didn’t bring the ferocity of the first wave, it was still a wet one, forcing organizers to put up a tent on stage to shield the performers from the steady drizzle that persisted most of the evening. And, much to my chagrin, the steady rain filled a puddle in front of the Review’s front door – a puddle I inevitably stepped in every time I exited and entered the building. My feet were soaked by the time I laid down for a night’s rest on my inflatable mattress I set up in the back room of the office here. That’s right, I’m so gung ho about the Jam that I spent the night. Actually, I didn’t want to get up at the crack of dawn to drive back to get the start of the Fiddler 5K so I figured it’d be more efficient to stay here. Let me just say, an air mattress on the floor of the Review is not conducive to a good night’s sleep.
Now Saturday was a perfect day for a Jamboree. The oppressive heat was replaced by a cloudy but comfortable day and huge crowds that packed downtown. It was as I was walking around taking pictures that it occurred to me what all the hubbub is about. First off, the music is great with all the talented musicians on stage. And, it is also reminiscent of something I’ve always enjoyed – the county fair. In Warren County, the fair is religion, much like it is here. And, one of the best things about the fair is walking around the midway in circles, seeing folks you only see once a year. In the case of the Jam, nothing was different. I not only saw new friends I’ve made here but several people up from my hometown.
After my first year I’ll go ahead and admit that I’m a Jam fan. Maybe next year I’ll remember to watch where I step.
Contact Duane Sherrill at
news@smithvillereview.com
