8 th ANNUAL KEYPORT COUNTRY JAMBOREE OCTOBER 2-3

KEYPORT, N.J. –From good old-fashioned, down-home cookin’ to just plain rip-roarin’ fun for the whole family, the 8 th Annual Country Jamboree & Chili Festival returns to downtown Keyport on October 2-3.

The good times will roll from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all weekend, rain or shine. Admission is free, with most of the action taking place on West Front Street, which will be closed to traffic during the event, and extending to the waterfront.

The Country Jamboree, hosted by the Keyport Business Alliance, will feature live music and entertainment throughout the weekend, country line dancing, a country-style bid-n-buy auction, remote control stock car racing, chili tastings, and a contest to judge the best homemade pies, cakes, and jams. For children, there will be pony rides and a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, and Wild West entertainers performing rope tricks and cowboy stunts. The Wahoo Medicine Show and Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus roll into town from noon to 3 on Saturday, October 2.

The mini park will become “Scarecrow Square” for the Jamboree’s traditional scarecrow decorating contest. Spirits of the Old West Inc. and the legendary “OK” Cowboy will return to Keyport to perform at this year’s festivities. Keyport’s downtown stores and cafes also will be open throughout the festival.

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

Chili lovers will appreciate the chance to taste a variety of chilies, along with some finger-lickin’ vittles such as barbecued beef, baby back ribs, and grilled turkey legs. Balic Winery will host a free wine tasting during the festival.

The Keyport Country Jamboree is hosted by the Keyport Business Alliance with support from sponsors 94.3 The Point, The Family of Straub Automobile Dealerships, Super Foodtown Food Circus, Shrewsbury State Bank, and www.2keul.com.

For additional information, directions, entry forms for the scarecrow and pie, cake and jam contests and a complete schedule of Jamboree events, visit www.keyportonline.com or call Allen Consulting Inc. at 732-946-2711.