The 25th annual CKNX Barn Dance Campout Jamboree has come and gone, marking the end of an era. The event featured many Canadian country musicians and local artists, including Larry Mercey, Paul Weber, Naomi Bristow, and many more.
"We had a great weekend," said Gord Baxter, event organizer and member of The Barn Dance Historical Society. "We had great entertainment, good friendship, good music, and I think that was a great finale for the jamboree and campout for The Barn Dance Historical Society."
Around 200 campers stayed at the Blyth Arena and Campgrounds, with roughly 600 attendees to the last Barn Dance show on May 27.
The event has a lot of history for the area, beginning around 1937 and travelling to various towns.
"CKNX had Canada's largest travelling barn dance, rotating through Southwestern Ontario and it terminated for a while," said Baxter. "In 1998, we started it back up, so this was our 25th anniversary."
Reflecting on the past shows, Baxter shared his favourite moment.
"We had Tommy Hunter on our show about five years ago and that was when he was presented with one of our awards," he said. "It was really wonderful to have him on our show. I think that was one of the most eventful shows that we had at our campout and jamboree."
If you missed out on the last jamboree, don't worry, it wasn't the last opportunity to get a taste of classic country music.
"It's sad it's over, but our shows are going on," he said. "We are having shows for the balance of 2023."
Those shows are:
The Exeter Homecoming Dance with Barn Dance Band plus Larry Mercey and Betty Beer Vanrooy at the Exeter Community Centre from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 30, 2023.
The Barn Dance Show at Parkview Gardens in Listowel on September 17, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
The Barn Dance Show along with George Fox at the Wingham Town Hall Centre on November 5, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
The Barn Dance Show at the Hensall Community Centre on November 26, 2023. More details for the Hensall show are to come.
