The 19th annual Pelly Benefit Jamboree was held on June 10 and 11.
Registrations for the old time fiddling contest started the weekend at 10:30 a.m. and were accompanied by the opening music of a Pelly-based band called Carry the Wood 13.
Opening remarks were made by Pelly Mayor Sharon Nelson and Adrian Makohoniuk, the jamboree president, before the fiddling contest started at 11:10 a.m.
The rest of the morning, afternoon and evening was filled with country and old time music. There were 17 performers on June 10, including Sarah Genaille and Sylvia Negraeff of Pelly, Bill Macooh of Benito, Man., Marianne and Arnold Hulme of Swan River, Man. and the Polka Pals of Kamsack.
On Sunday, a line-up began with a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m., which was followed by gospel music and songs by Woodland Chorus of Preeceville, Ron and Melody Quewezance of Regina and Joe Malanowich of Norquay among many other talents.
A non-denominational church service for all those who wished to attend was held at 11:30 a.m., led by Laura Dahl, Donna Lulashnyk and Ron Quewezance.
After the church service the music was back on with Midnite Run of Barrows, Man. getting people up and dancing. Twelve more performers entertained the jamboree attendees until after 5:30 p.m. when the event ended.
Nineteen years ago a man wanted to have somewhere for everyone to get together to play and enjoy old time country music, this started the Pelly Jamboree, said an organizer. Once it began, a good sound system was needed so an admission was charged for the event to raise money for it. Once that was taken care of it was decided to make the jamboree a benefit to aid those in need in the community. It is said this was 鈥淣orman Loeppky鈥檚 dream.鈥�
The weekend had much help from volunteers who gave a hand wherever needed, musicians who entertained the crowds, kitchen and bar workers and everyone who made donations.
Since the Pelly Benefit Jamboree started in 1998, the committee has donated a total of $26,000 to 22 special needs children in the community. When there is a year with no applications for assistance, donations were made to the following: Eaglestone Lodge for lounge chairs, Norquay Health Center for a patio set, Home Care and Community Services for a Lifeline unit, Fort Livingstone School for Levelled Literacy Intervention program, special education books and a 鈥淜ids on the Block鈥� program, Pelly Child Care Centre for furniture, Norquay Health Centre $1,500 for the outdoor enclosed patio area, $1,500 to the Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation, and $2,500 to Learn to Play Group for special needs children.
The benefit jamboree committee鈥檚 total donations to date add up to $36,748.
