News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Preparations underway across Dekalb County for the 53rd Annual Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival, the weekend after the Fourth.
The event filled with music, crafts, and food has been named the official Jamboree And Crafts Festival of the State of Tennessee. Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree President Kim Luton said the community expecting some 30-thousand plus to attend.
“The mission is to preserve the Appalachian,” Luton said. “True Appalachian craft music and dance. This is our 53rd year trying to continue that mission and I think that we are doing a pretty good job of carrying it on.”
Luton said the “Jamboree Welcome Mat Project” gives businesses the chance to show the love for visitors and event. The project encourages local businesses with changeable signs to put welcoming messages up to give visitors a warm welcome.
Luton said the Jamboree provides financial benefits to local businesses and the community.
“It provides a lot of tourism dollars,” Luton said. “We’ve been granted some tourism grants to enhance the tourism efforts. We also have been awarded a $5,000 grant from Tennessee Economic & Community Development, they actually set up a new division called the music division last year, so they are seeing how music can tie in with economic & community development all across the State of Tennessee.”
Luton said the jamboree is a free event and is filled with all kinds of fun.
“There are about 150 craft booths, all handmade Appalachian leaning crafts, we don’t accept any retail, and a lot of good food, so I mean there is a lot to do in two days in Smithville.”
The Jamboree takes place at the Smithville Town Square on July 5th and 6th, beginning at 9am on both days. Luton said she hopes that the younger generation can continue carrying the culture.
“We encourage our younger generation to take up the mantle,” Luton said. “And play their instruments, and dance and craft in which they are doing.”
