After the show at the Country Music Jamboree, the music continues in the form of late-night jam sessions in the exhibit hall at the Harney County Fairgrounds. (Submitted photo)

by Janet Braymen
for the Burns Times-Herald

The 30th annual High Desert Fiddlers Country Music Jamboree kicks off once again on June 13 for the three-day festival at the Harney County Fairgrounds. Shows are held each day at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a pre-show jam on stage for 30 minutes prior. Friday night is dance band night, though dancing is welcome at all shows. Jerry and Linda Parks will teach dance steps, including  two step and waltz,  at 6 p.m. each day. At 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Joyce Furlong will host a bluegrass jam in the Exhibit Hall. Mornings also offer musicians free time to gather and jam together.

The Country Music Jamboree was first held in 1990 in the Arrowhead lot after the High Desert Fiddlers opted to stop hosting a fiddle contest and hold a more informal event, which offered more folks a chance to participate in playing. Walt Cooper is credited with the idea, which grew into today’s jamboree. Cooper and Ruel Teague were the heart and soul of the jamboree and integral to its success for the last 29 years. Sadly, Cooper passed away in April, and Teague passed in October. After a couple of years in the Arrowhead lot and a few more at the Desert Theatre, the jamboree found a home at the Harney County Fairgrounds with plenty of room to camp plus multiple sites for activities out of the weather.

Over the years, the jamboree has logged visitors from 41 states, three Canadian provinces, and three additional countries. Typically, 60 percent of the folks attending come from outside of the area, bringing an economic boost to Harney County.

Smokin’ Pit Barbeque will be on site for breakfast and lunch and will cater the banquet dinner each night. Tickets may be purchased at the registration desk by 2 p.m. each day for the dinner, which will be served from 5:15-6:30 p.m. The menu for dinners are pasta with meat sauce on Thursday; pork chops with mushroom gravy on Friday; and ribs on Saturday.

Workshops will be offered Friday and Saturday mornings.

Friday workshops include:
•  Harmonica in the Key of C with Jude Stensland at 9:30  a.m. This workshop is for beginner/novice players.
• Guitar Fundamentals with Jerry Parks at 11 a.m.
• Banjo with LeRoy Newport at 11 a.m.

Saturday workshops include:
• Old time fiddle tunes with Judy McGarvey at 9:30 a.m. McGarvey will share tunes with youth and novice players.
• A discussion about the music apps that are available for Apple and iPad devices with Jude Stensland at 9:30 a.m.
• Unique Instruments with Dennis Townsend and Phil Drain at 11 a.m. Out-of-the-ordinary instruments will be demonstrated and information will be provided about them.

The jamboree, with all of its activities, is open to the public at no charge.  Donations are gladly accepted.

For additional information or to make dinner reservations, visit the High Desert Fiddlers’ website at www.highdesertfiddlers.com or call Janet at 541-589-1481.