Feature Article October 2, 2002
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Blueberry Jamboree on holdby Will Cybulski Northbrook If you happened to be counting them, this August marked the 8th annual Land OLakes Lions Club sponsored Blueberry Jamboree. But there wont be a ninth, at least not annually.
At their regular dinner meeting held on September 18, members of the Club spent the better part of the evening exchanging thoughts, both pro and con, about the yearly bash, and when all was said and done, opted to not hold the event in 2003.The Blueberry Jamboree was the brain-child of the late Dave Wellman, who was Club President when the Jamboree got off the ground for the first time. Its purpose was to pay off a five-year, $100,000 commitment that the Club had pledged towards the building of Pine Meadow Nursing Home, and the Civic Holiday weekend was selected as the date most likely to lure the greatest number of visitors.
The Lions Club has tried a number of venues over the years, primarily relying on a midway as the drawing card, and filling out the weekend with some better- known entertainers like Shania Twin or Eddie and The Sting Rays. Big dollar bingos have usually pulled in decent crowds, and the Jamboree has boasted something for everyone as it has grown, including a karaoke contest this year and last.
Back when it was first conceived, it was optimistically hoped that the Jamboree would realize a profit of $20,000 annually, but that number never was attained. For all the volunteer effort that has gone into the event, it has turned out to be less than a money-maker in recent years, with the Club having difficulty keeping the Jamborees books in the black. This years wind storm played some havoc with celebrations, but that doesnt explain away the lack of supporting crowds in previous years.
Rather than cancel the Jamboree in its entirety, the Club has decided to give the thing a rest, and voted to suspend the Jamboree for next August. In its stead, the Club will look at some alternatives around that particular date, perhaps scaling back to a single event. A committee was struck to investigate different approaches for 2003, and many ideas were put on the table at the meeting.
Whether or not the Jamboree, or an alternate to it, ever returns will just have to wait and see, and community support will no doubt play a big part in the Clubs future decisions. On that subject, the Land OLakes Lions Club extends its heartfelt appreciation to all those people from our communities who have pitched in over the past eight years to make the Blueberry Jamboree the great event that it has been.
