Show promoters say the crowds numbering near 200,000 each year are amazed at the large 80 ft. wide Schweiss Bifold stage door. The performers like it too.
Balloons are released from the stage to announce the opening of the 2013 Jamboree In The Hills show which takes place near Wheeling, West Virginia each summer.
For over 36 years, over 100,000 fans each year have flocked to the rolling hills of eastern Ohio to take part in the longest running and most popular country music festival in America.
This must-see four-day outdoor festival takes place in Belmont, Ohio, just a little west of Wheeling, West Virginia. This "Country Music Capital" has hosted most of the big names coming out of Nashville and other parts of the USA. Close to 25 Country legends each year such as Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Boxcar Willie, and even The Beach Boys and ZZ Top, you name it, have taken to the stage there.
In its very first show, Jamboree drew 15 top artists the likes of June and Johnny Cash and the Carter family, Mickey Gilley, Tom T. Hall, Ernest Tubb and Charlie Rich to name a few. By 1982 that grew to 25 legends, chart toppers and rising stars that attracted people from all over the United States and abroad.
It's no wonder Jamboree In The Hills is a two-time winner of the Country Music Associations Festival, Fair or Special Event of the Year award.
The Jamboree with 25 hours of live music is one of the largest Country Music events in the nation. The first year it began about 25,000 people attended, that has now grown to around the 200,000 mark.
"We moved down the road, from where we first started, to our new site. The old wood stage was not as big as this one and didn't have a door on it. People are amazed at the Schweiss door, it's unbelievable what it does. The performers obviously like the stage door now too, as opposed to not having anything before," said Assistant Operations Director Perry Jones, who has attended all but the first three Jamborees.
The Schweiss Bifold stage door is a big one, 80 ft. wide by 35 ft. tall. The 72 inch wedge gives some roof protection against rain and sun for those on stage. The door stays open during the entire festival unless they get real bad weather. Mid-Georgia Steel & Supply of Grantville, Georgia installed the big door on the steel stage.
The Jamboree In The Hills concert officially kicks off Thursday, July 17 at approximately 4 pm. The concert will start around the same time 4 pm on Friday, around 11 am on Saturday and then again around 11am on Sunday morning.
Normally, the bifold stage door remains open during the jamboree, but a rainy day called for promoters to close it temporarily between performances. When open, the 72" wedge does offer somewhat of a roof for added shade and to keep rain off the stage.
When does the festival end? If you are an official Jamboree camper then you can be a guest for an entire week and depart as late as noon on Monday, July 21. Daily shows ends around 11 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and around 6pm on Sunday.
If you are planning to camp, you must purchase a camping ticket. Camping is not included in your event ticket. The four-day party actually starts on the prior Monday with wild contests and activities at the ultimate on-sight campground where more than 5,000 campers arrive early. The campgrounds open at 8 am Monday, July 14.
The 2014 Jamboree In The Hills starts as all others on the third Saturday of July, with people coming in the Thursday prior for other events such as the Redneck Run which begins the morning of the gate opening. It is during this run that visitors who have paid their $35 admission fee rush to get their blankets and lawn chairs in place, first-come, first serve, for the best locations available close to the stage.
Some major artists have already been booked for 2014 and include: Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Neal McCoy, Cassadee Pope, Joe Diffie and Diamond Rio.
"We're pretty much a 'Redneck' fest, said Jones. Redneck is by no means a derogatory term down here. Most of our people are very supportive of the military and we send a live overseas feed of the festival to them. Charlie Daniels has done a lot for veterans and military personnel. Other performers do their part as well. Neal McCoy brought a mentally challenged child on stage with him as a sort of Make-A-Wish come true gesture. Weddings have been held on site too. There's always something going on."
Jamboree In The Hills
A high noon sun casts shadows from the exterior truss of the Schweiss Door.
Jamboree In The Hills has ticketing information on its website at www.jamboreeinthehills.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the on sight box office at Gate 1. Or you may buy tickets by calling 1-800-594-TIXX. Show dates for 2014 are July 17-20.
Reserve campers can arrive a day prior to the concerts. General admission camping officially opens the morning after. There are over 2,500 "primitive" style camping spaces without hookups and 162 reserved sites. Camping must be purchased separately from the concert tickets through their website. If you are an official Jamboree camper you can stay for an entire week and depart as late as noon on Monday. The daily show ends around 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and around 6 p.m. Sunday.
Parking lots open at 8 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday and at 6 a.m. Saturday. No overnight parking is permitted. Remote parking and premium parking (paved lot, closest to gate) is also available. Seating is festival style with ample room for a lawn chair or blanket.
"People are amazed at the Schweiss door, it's unbelievable what it does. The performers obviously like the stage door now too."Perry Jones Ass't Operations Director
Jamboree In The Hills is a four-day party that has drawn in top country music entertainers for over 36 years. Visitors arrive early to claim a good location next to the stage.