Pelham Country Jamboree celebrating 20 years

PELHAM — Not even holidays have prevented the Pelham Country Jamboree from hosting its weekly evenings of entertainment fun every single Saturday for almost 20 years.

That is a tradition has been going on for two decades.

Called by some of its attendees “The Best Jamboree this side of Tennessee,” Pelham Country Jamboree is celebrating its 20-year anniversary from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. on March 14.

An event which began in the Pelham train depot, the organizing group eventually purchased a building across the street to accommodate weekly sessions when the number of musicians and bands made the old space more difficult to work with. Since then, there’s been a mix of musical talent involved.

“If you sing or play an instrument, or both, you are welcome to come,” said Sandy Page, who has been involved with the jamboree with her husband, Gary Page, for eight years.

The night will feature the Cotton Boll Express, the jamboree’s house band, which includes Gary Page, A.J. Thomas, Mack Harrison, Joann Wells, Lalla Lehmann, Jeff Howell, Steve Cason, Von Bass, Curtis Thorton and Wayne Watson. Jeff Davis and Tired Creek, Roy Weeks and special guests from all around south Georgia and north Florida — including those from Albany, Valdosta, Quitman and the Tallahassee, Fla. areas — are also expected to be there.

Thomas was president of the jamboree until Gary Page was elected last year.

As is the case every Saturday, there will be a $1 charge to participate in a raffle for $50 cash. Refreshments are offered each week, which go toward paying the bills.

“There is no smoking, no cussing or drinking,” Sandy Page said. “There is no violence. It is good, clean family fun.”

The facility the jamboree uses is newly remodeled, thanks to the help of donations. Several businesses donated the materials, and the 13 board members who oversee the jamboree’s activities did the work.

Since the new face lift, coordinators of the jamboree say it has been packed every Saturday night.

“It is all volunteer work. We don’t pay anybody,” Sandy Page said. “We don’t close for anything. If Christmas falls on a Saturday, we are there.

“We usually have a good crowd. Sometimes it is like we can’t get another person in, and others is it more sparse.”

A 32-inch TV is up for grabs at an upcoming raffle. It was originally set to be raffled off on the March 14 event, but coordinators have decided to delay it until March 28 — but there are expected to be table items given out on the earlier Saturday.

She also said a special presentation is expected to be made at the anniversary event. Gary Page is set to perform for the final hour, and the Cotton Boll Express is will be on stage in-between performance segments.

“It’s going to be a very good show,” Sandy Page said.

The jamboree is located in downtown Pelham at 153 W. Railroad St., across from the train depot. It is free to attend. For more information on the jamboree or for booking, call (229) 888-3664 or (229) 733-1526.