Jamboree In The Hills gets ready Wednesday for the first official festival day. Festival-goers set up their campsites and staff set up the venue.

MORRISTOWN — With more than 10,000 people in attendance, Jamboree In The Hills is kicking off its 42nd year as a country music festival.

Also known as “Jambo,” the event is known to be the most popular country music festival in the United States featuring some of the biggest names in country. There are multiple stages set up within the venue that are equipped with speakers and Jumbotron screens so everyone can view the artist. It has become a summer tradition for many people in the Ohio Valley as well as other countries who travel long distances to get to the festival.

“People love this festival,” said Casey Tucker, media coordinator for Jamboree In The Hills. “We have had people from Canada. We have even had people from Australia come.”

On Wednesday, the festival continued its set up for the first official day of Jamboree. Many campers were already in place that afternoon at the available camp sites. At 8 p.m., Craig Morgan played a free show on the main stage with fireworks following. Today, people attending Jamboree In the Hills enjoy bands such as The Stickers, The Outlaws, Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels Band and Travis Tritt. Tucker said the first day of Jamboree In The Hills is always the best day for festival goers. The first round of the traditional redneck run also took place earlier in the morning.

Tucker said the environment of the festival is always great for attendees as well the staff. The tradition of keeping Jamboree see the same as it has been for fans has also been important.

“The best part about everything is the fans,” said Tucker. “It’s how good everyone treats each other here. It’s not your typical concert. Everyone is friendly and everyone is just here to have a good time. It’s going to be the same Jamboree that everyone has known and loved for years. Everyone wants to have the same routine tradition.”

Sam Mathers, from Athens, has been going to Jamboree In The Hills for 33 years and said he enjoys meeting people and listening to the music.

“I’ve met a lot of new friends here at Jambo,” Mathers said. “Really, the only thing that has changed is that it has gotten bigger and bigger each year.”

Besides the music, there will be other things people can enjoy at the festival. Tucker said other features include inflatable bull riding, various food vendors and merchandise stands, such as Western wear.

“There will be activities going on throughout the entire festival people can have fun with,” Tucker said.

With a festival as large as Jamboree, there is a lot of planning to go into the event to make sure it runs smoothly. Tucker said people work year-round on the festival, but the final details are organized just weeks before it starts.

“Everyone pulls together a couple weeks before the show to really get everything together,” Casey said. “We always make it happen with our good staff. There are people who have been here for many years and they keep coming back, so it’s like a family here. I started here when I was 15. I worked in the box office, merchandise and I’ve been in the media part for six years.”