YEEE-HAH! 6TH KEYPORT COUNTRY JAMBOREE
& FOOD FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND

Rustle up your sidekick and the kids and mosey on over to Keyport this weekend for some good, old-fashioned, down-home cookin’, eatin’, dancin’ and just plain fun at the Pearl of the Bayshore’s 6th Annual Country Jamboree & Food Festival.

The good times roll into town starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, along a two-block stretch of West Front Street, continuing until 9 p.m. that night. The Jamboree resumes at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 13, and will end ’round about sundown at 6 p.m.

Admission is free, and the event will take place rain or shine. The Jamboree area, which spans West Front Street from Broad to Beers streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic throughout the event, which is being hosted by the Keyport Business Alliance.

Jamboree committee chairman Chris Fernicola, owner of The Front Porch Emporium at 36 West Front Street, says this year’s event will bring back some old favorites, including East Coast trick roper Sue Dolan-Kies and Spirits of the Old West Inc. and their Wild West entertainment. “We’ll also have lots of new stuff this year,” says Fernicola, “from more country and bluegrass entertainers both days to a chili cook-off on Sunday.”

When they’re not kicking up the heels of their cowboy boots for a line dance or do-si-do, guests will find plenty of activities to keep them happy as they work their way along the festival route. Most of Keyport’s downtown stores also will be open throughout the festival.

Cowpokes can bring a hearty appetite along and satisfy it with finger-lickin’ barbecue, chicken wings, hot dogs, grilled sausage, steak sandwiches and more. Got a sweet tooth? Stop by to sample goodies after the Pie, Cake and Jam Contest on Sunday.

A number of local merchants will have tables or booths at the Jamboree, and there will be dozens of crafters lining the route. Their offerings will include Country & Western merchandise, holiday crafts, Native American- and Southwestern-motif curios, T-shirts, toys, clothing, handmade jewelry and accessories.

Place your bid at an old-fashioned Country Bid & Buy Auction on both days, where the offerings will include food and wine baskets, gift certificates, holiday decorations and other merchandise donated by area merchants.

“We get some fantastic items every year,” says Fernicola, “and this year should be no exception.” To participate, festivalgoers purchase tickets that they can use to “bid” on an item by dropping their ticket into a container placed next to each item up for bid. Winners will be drawn at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and can claim their items immediately following the drawing.

The young’uns can find plenty to keep them occupied during both days of the Jamboree, including pony rides, hayrides, a moon bounce, pumpkin painting and a petting zoo. They can get their pictures taken in front of a painted Wild West background, with a life-size Western buggy as a prop on the hay-strewn street. Or they can mug for the cameras alongside life-size cutout figures of John Wayne and other cowboy legends.

More photo opportunities will be available with entries in the Jamboree’s Scarecrow Contest, a competition that will feature custom-made scarecrows of all shapes and sizes in a variety of themes.

Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages won’t want to miss Saturday’s “Shootout at High Noon,” a Wild West re-enactment featuring quick-drawin’, gun-spinnin’, fast-shootin’ characters from Western lore come to life right on the streets of downtown Keyport.

Chili lovers will be glad to hear that festival organizers are saving some of the best for last at this year’s event. Sunday’s Chili Cook-off will offer festivalgoers the chance to taste a variety of chilies and vote for their favorite. Cash prizes will be awarded, and the winners will be selected by popular vote.

“The Jamboree and Food Festival is a fun way for families to spend time together,” says Kathaleen Shaw, an advocate for the Keyport Business Alliance. “There’s so much to see and do, the food is great, and fall is a wonderful time of year in Keyport,” she says.

“Residents come out and meet their neighbors at the event, and first-time visitors get a chance to experience the town’s community spirit,” Shaw says.

“The Keyport Business Alliance really rolls out the welcome mat at Jamboree. We want people to have a good time and come back in their leisure time to attend other events or during the week to discover our great stores and restaurants.”

For additional information on the Keyport Business Alliance and upcoming events in Keyport, visit www.keyportonline.com or call Allen Consulting Inc. at 732-946-2711.