Last weekend, hundreds of people from the Pontiac and beyond gathered at Armstrong Heritage Farm in Shawville for the town’s 16th annual Country Jamboree. Put on by the Shawville Lions Club, the event served as an opportunity for country music fans from all over the region to enjoy classic tunes from their favorite artists in a friendly atmosphere while raising money for a new elevator at the Lions Hall.

With around 200 motorhomes scattered along the grounds surrounding the stage area, people either sat in their lawn chairs in front of the stage, relaxed by their RV’s or danced with their partners, while taking in the sweet sounds of country. However, with the oven-like temperatures over the weekend, the majority of audience members set up their chairs underneath the large tents nearly 30 yards away from the stage.

Showcasing nearly 20 musical acts from all across the country, including several Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Famers, the event offered a wide variety of talent for all attendees to enjoy from gospel to western swing and even some progressive country.

Throughout the event, 2010 Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Kitts held it down as the emcee, while local country star Phil Denault managed the sound system.

All weekend long, volunteers served hot dogs, hamburgers and non-alcoholic beverages from the barbecue station to keep everyone from going too hungry or dehydrated. Valley Heritage Radio had their own tent set up on site during the event.

On Saturday afternoon, the event’s main organizer Edward Walsh along with Shawville Mayor Sandra Murray, Mayor of Clarendon John Armstrong and MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller gave brief speeches, thanking everyone who contributed to the event and the importance of the festival to the town.

During her speech, Toller noted the importance of the $5,000 contribution to the event on behalf of the MRC Pontiac.

“It’s very expensive to bring all these musicians and on top of that the Lions Club needs to raise money for very important causes,” she said. “I think that’s money well spent.”

With so many people attending from far and near year after year, it’s an event that many people look forward to and brings a great sense of joy to the community, Toller said.

“Because they’ve built it to be a tradition, I’m sure that people mark it on their calendar ahead a year each time,” she said. “And I also think that for our local residents it’s just excellent entertainment and it restores the pride that we all have in the Pontiac.”

During his speech, Walsh couldn’t help but shed a few tears as he paid tribute to the late Edward Brownlee, for all his contributions to the Lions Club over his 22 years as a member.

Before holding a moment of silence in his honour, Walsh announced that this year’s jamboree was a special dedication to him.

Drawing hundreds of tourists to the town every year, the event is very beneficial for local tourism making a positive impact on the town’s economy, Walsh said.

With some driving from as far as Florida to attend, and many of them staying in the region for longer than the duration of the festival, it’s a great way of showing outsiders just how great the Pontiac really is, Walsh said.

“Bringing in people from other areas, it just shows what the Pontiac has to offer,” he said. “Because of where we are a lot of people just don’t even know we exist. It’s a small town but it does have a lot to offer and it’s a beautiful countryside.”

“They’re using the restaurants, they’re going to the grocery store, to the beer store,” he added. “Especially the beer store. It brings money into the restaurants and the community as a whole.”

For local musician Joanne Dubeau who performed in front of a crowd in the hundreds on Saturday afternoon, the best part about performing in the festival is putting on a show for so many familiar faces.

“It’s my hometown and I love singing and playing,” she said. “I’ve been doing it since I’ve been probably three.”

A recurring performer at the jamboree, Dubeau believes the event is very important for the vitality of the Pontiac’s country music scene as it draws plenty of outsiders to witness the wide array of talent the region boasts.

“It says a lot for country music,” she said. “They have people following all over, all events. I’m sure a lot of people came from the Renfrew area and followed over here and then they go from this one to the next one. So, it’s amazing and it does a lot for country music.”

Having helped organize the event for the last six years, Walsh explained that the most rewarding part about organizing the jamboree every year has been the contribution he makes to a noble cause that benefits the community at large.

“All the money that we raise, every dime goes back into the community,” he said. “It helps a lot of people who are down on their luck and less fortunate and stuff like that. So, the more money we raise, the more people we can help. It makes everybody happy.”

With scorching hot weather throughout the weekend, crowds largely migrated underneath the tents facing the stage to catch a little shade.

The festival showcased nearly 20 country music acts from all over the country. Pictured, Westport, Ont. native and 2018 Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Harry Adrain performs his humourous song “Drunk Again” on Saturday afternoon.

Hearst, Ont. country standout Rae Palmer plays a cover of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton on Saturday afternoon.

Over the weekend, the Shawville Lions Club hosted hundreds of locals and outsiders at Armstrong Heritage Farm for the town’s annual Country Jamboree. Pictured, Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Famer Roddy McCann gazes into the crowd after performing a wild set of western swing.

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