Amherst Ohio Old-Time Jamboree Cancelled
The Amherst Historical Society is cancelling the Old-Time Jamboree in 2012
From the Amherst News-Times
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
No more pet parade.
No more pizza-eating contest.
After nearly four decades of fun, the Old-Time Jamboree has been retired.
“It’s just run its course and it’s time to move on to something different,” said Bob Pallante, president of the Amherst Historical Society.
The society held the even each July in downtown Amherst, moving the Jamboree in recent years from city hall to the municipal parking lot on Park Avenue.
Sponsors, vendors, entertainment, and civic groups will receive a letter in coming weeks from the society explaining the situation.
“When the festival started some 38 years ago, the volunteers were a younger, vibrant group of people dedicated to the history of Amherst,” it says. “Basically, the same group has been organizing and running the Jamboree for for all these years. The board feels that it is time to pass on the tradition of a community festival to younger organizations.”
“Since the Jamboree was initiated as the major fundraiser for the society, we can no longer afford to put in the time, effort or financial support to continue the tradition,” the letter says.
Pallante said the cost of running the fundraising festival has risen sharply over the past few years while revenues have dwindled. He called it a “sign of the times.”
Though attendance has also fallen in recent years, it did not play into the decision, Pallante said.
The society will cooperate with any community organization willing to run the Jamboree.
Now the historical society will focus more on developing family-oriented and educational events at the Amherst Sandstone Village on Milan Avenue, Pallante said.
He said a major highlight of the 2012 calendar will be the German Fest, scheduled for the third week in August.
