By: Kathryn Fenstermacher

There’s something nostalgic about a good old-fashioned fair. The smell of street food, the whir of carnival rides, and the strains of rock ‘n’ roll mingle to create a delicious, dreamlike ambiance where we all feel a little younger, happier, and more carefree as the sun sets and the stage lights come on. 

Starting tonight, residents and visitors of all ages can step into that dreamland and savor the end of summer at the Annual Montpelier Jamboree. 

The Jamboree is a local tradition spanning decades. This year marks the 76th celebration of this local festival – a remarkable milestone, made possible only by the faithful attendance of the local community. Jamboree Committee Vice President Justin Caylor said that in his 34 years, he has only missed one year of Jamboree. “Once we get to June and July, you can kind of see the excitement from people because they know the Jamboree is coming,” Caylor said. “It’s just a weekend of fun and family.”

Planning for the Jamboree is a year-round process, according to Montpelier Mayor Kathy Bantz. The Jamboree Committee starts meeting in November to plan the festivities for the following year, which include live entertainment, street fair vendors, carnival rides, and more. City employees also spend long hours supporting the event, cleaning up the midway each evening to keep the city looking its best. “Each year presents a few challenges for us, but we always manage to land on our feet and keep moving forward,” Bantz said.

“Come on out and enjoy the festivities, good food, clean rides and a lot of good local talent.”

Montpelier Mayor Kathy Bantz

As for Caylor and his 22-member planning committee, they seek out local sponsors, staff concession stands through Blackford Athletics, and host smoked pork chop dinners to raise the funds that keep this event going year after year. Their biggest fundraising task is to secure the national touring bands that appear on the grandstand on the final night of the festival. 

This year’s big act is Adelitas Way, an independent alternative rock band with over 200 million music streams. Not only will this performance bring nationally-acclaimed entertainment to the local community at a fraction of the cost of a typical concert, it also puts Montpelier on the map as a destination for music-lovers from the surrounding area and beyond. This headliner event is a big part of what draws an estimated 2,000 people to the festival each year. “That’s usually my favorite part, you know, bringing in bands that we’ve heard on the radio,” Caylor said. “It’s kind of fun watching the people . . . coming into a small town like Montpelier and seeing a national touring act on the stage.”

Local bands will also receive their share of the limelight, with the Mountain Dewe Boys and Osie’s Hill Band performing Friday night and open karaoke hosted by DJ Showoff on Saturday. Community youth will have their chance to take the stage as participants in the Montpelier Jamboree Queen Contest, Jr. Miss Queen Contest, and Baby Contest. The weekend wouldn’t be complete without a tractor pull, corn hole tournament, and community parade. Events like these are eagerly anticipated each year as established Jamboree traditions, “the staple ones that happen every year,” Caylor said. 

Speaking of staples, you know it’s tradition when there’s food involved. The Jamboree will kick off, as usual, with the Subway sub eating contest on the main stage tonight at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the American Legion will do their part to stave off hunger with their sponsored breakfast and lunch events. And Tri Kappa will spice things up by offering taco potatoes and loaded nachos throughout the weekend. 

For local residents, traditions like these are what make the Montpelier Jamboree so endearing. Caylor said that people who have moved away from Montpelier often return on Labor Day weekend to reconnect with friends and family – specifically so that they can catch some of the fun at Jamboree. This festive weekend serves as the perfect backdrop for these reunions, allowing old friends to relive an experience that was part of their childhood. Now a Bluffton resident, Caylor himself looks forward to introducing his one-year-old son to the festival this year. “Jamboree has . . . just always been special to me,” he said, “and something that I’d like to continue on for future generations.”

“Come on out and enjoy the festivities, good food, clean rides and a lot of good local talent,” urged Bantz.

The 76th Annual Montpelier Jamboree takes place September 1-4 in downtown Montpelier, IN. Free street parking is available throughout the city except where marked. For more information and the full schedule, visit the Jamboree’s Facebook page, where attendees can view and RSVP to individual events and receive notifications.