MORRISTOWN - Since its birth in July of 1977, Jamboree in the Hills, nicknamed the Superbowl of Country Music, has grown into the Ohio Valley's biggest event.
While many make the Jamboree a must in their summer schedule, one of the best parts for many goes beyond seeing their favorite country stars on stage, but rather seeing old and new friends in the campgrounds.
Jamboree in the Hills has 2,500 primitive campsites available for rent in five different campgrounds.
Article Photos
T-L Photo/KAYLA VAN DYNE
Campers, tents and gazebos line the gravel road of Fine Day campsite at Jamboree in the Hills. Fine Day is one of the five campsites available to Jamboree goers. Jamboree in the Hills will run from July 19-22.
The fields that serve as a campsite for JITH, which usually sit empty 11 months out of the year, are littered with thousands upon thousands of campers, gazebos, tents and small swimming pools. The sound of small generators echoes through the campsites as campers try to beat the heat with air conditions in campers and RV's.
"The human heat is the worst," said Kathy Hunter, who has been coming to JITH for the last seven years and has stayed in the same campsite located in Fine Day for the last seven years as well. "I had never been here and wanted to come out and loved it. Everybody is really nice. I can't wait for Thursday (today) to see Tracy Lawrence."
"(We) use generators, pools and lots of water," said Dennis Hunter. "We've skipped some of the early Saturday shows because of the heat."
The Hunters are not the only ones that tries to get the same campsites every year. Further into Fine Day, found sitting under the shade of a gazebo around a table talking and laughing, is a group of guys with the same idea.
Surrounded by four campers, several tents and corn hole boards, Cody Lantz from West Virginia has been coming to Jamboree in the Hills for close to seven years. He to has been staying at the same campsite for those seven years for one reason - seeing friends.
"Reuniting with friends is just one of the perks," said Lantz.
Van Dyne can be reached kvandyne@timesleaderonline.com
