Cover Story
32nd Annual Spring Jamboree
by Jill Rowland Lagan

What is that? Is it Spring in the air? Or maybe a spring in your step due to the great weather and the beautifully colored flowers. This has got to be the best time of the year in Boulder City and I’ve got a great way for you to celebrate... Spring Jamboree 2009! I can’t think of a finer time to join your friends and neighbors in the clean, green parks of the Historic District and soak in the warm sun, great entertainment, fun carnival rides, festival food, talented artisans, and stunning hot rods.

There are so many activities that are now associated with Spring Jam, I’m not even sure where to begin. How about May 1st, that seems to be the best place to start. As you drive by the government parks area, you’ll see quite a buzz as we begin the tremendous job of setting up for such a large event. It’s always interesting to watch our beautiful lawns transform into marketplaces, stages, rides and car displays. Friday is usually left to just set up, but this year, the Spring Jam crew wanted to give a little more... so why not PRE-JAM ! There will be a special treat for those of you that love the annual car show. The Pandraggers begin their amazing car show on Friday night with a Cruise to City Hall. Come get an early look at some of the local cars and enjoy food and drinks from Events Unlimited. The Carnival will begin on Friday night also, so be sure to plan for a full 3 days this year and start off by attending Pre-Jam on May 1.

Saturday, May 2nd, you’re going to want to get out of your pj’s early, into your jogging clothes, and head to the park. The 2nd Annual Nikki Anderson-Mangin 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk begins registration at 6:30 a.m. The race will kick off at 7 a.m. and the awards ceremony will be around 8:30 a.m. This was such a phenomenal event last year and so emotional for all those that had been touched by the hand of Nikki. Please come help raise money towards a memorial scholarship that will be awarded to local BCHS students each year. For participant applications, stop by the Chamber office.

Entertainment at Center Stage begins at 9 a.m. and won’t quit till we’re exhausted from kickin’ up our heels that night with Brazzos River Band. Check out their website to see what you’re in for. The gals on the front line are worth every minute of your time. Go to www.brazzosriver band.com. There will also be many locals performing.

And of course the traditional Little Miss and Mister Contest sponsored by Anna Lawson at Dance Etc. And the beloved Bark in the Park with proceeds going to See Spot Run. When you’re not watching the stage you can enjoy the exhilarating carnival rides, strolling through the Arts and Crafts, Antiques in the Park, Pandraggers Rod Run car show and the amazing Quilt Old Town outdoor quilt show.

This year we’ve invited the local schools to participate in Clothesline Art. Friends of the Arts will have clotheslines strung and tables with displays of the children’s creations. You might even get to purchase a piece from an “up-and-coming” artist. Every year each of these fun events gets bigger and better. And the best part of all is just strolling through is FREE. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a beautiful Spring day in Boulder City than a fun, family festival in the park.

Sunday will also be an amazingly full day of entertainment and fun. It’s my favorite time to walk around the Old Town area and visit with the merchants and restaurants. You can often see great sidewalk sales and enjoy a few minutes on a shady bench while people-watching as our guests enjoy Boulder City.

Back on Center Stage, you’ll enjoy beautiful music from the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, the Gamble-Aires Barbershop Quartet, and Lenny & The Fantastics, featuring Lenny Myers and Danny Vincent. They regularly entertain audiences with Signature Billboard Top 100 Classic Rock n’ Roll Songs from the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s. This non-stop show will blow you away with songs like Three Dog Night, Ride Captain Ride, Drift Away and Walking in Memphis. You’ll recognize hit after hit and want to sing along with them.

So this year will be the 32nd Annual Spring Jamboree and the Chamber’s 77th year in business. We’re grateful to be a major business support system and assistant to so many wonderful community events in Boulder City. Thank you for doing your part by not only shopping local with our members, but also by participating in all the special events in our community. Events bring tourism, tourism brings revenue, and revenue means a healthy economy for Boulder City.

Have a sensational Spring, and we’ll see you out hopping about in beautiful Boulder City.

Visit www.springjamboree.com.