Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Pemberton Jamboree changes location

Copperdome Barn Dance now scheduled one week later

The Fourth Annual Pemberton Country Jamboree has a change of both venue and format this year. This year the entertainers and local artisans will be presented against the picturesque background of the Pemberton Heritage Museum with its authentic turn of the century buildings and rough hewn cedar fencing. While 4H and equestrian events – including a mini-gymkhana – will take place at the newly refurbished Pemberton Agricultural Community Association riding rink located off of Cottonwood Street (behind the Public Library). Participants will be able to travel via hay wagon between the two venues.

"We’re really happy with moving to such a great place," says Jan Kennett, event organizer. "The museum provides a perfect background for performers like Mike Puhallo."

Puhallo, Canada’s unofficial cowboy poet laureate, is one of the more than dozen authentic cowboy entertainers organizers have assembled. Adding to the lineup this year are local favourites, Seldom Heard, formerly known as The Tragically Hick.

Seldom Heard will headline the first annual Saturday Night Jamboree Hoedown. Held on the museum grounds, tickets to this licensed event are $10.

This new event will give people a chance to sharpen up their dance moves in time for the Eighth Annual Copperdome Barn Dance. Traditionally held in conjunction with the Jamboree, the committee decided to move the event forward a week, to Saturday, July 31.

"We really wanted to be able to give our full energy to the event," says Kennett of the fundraiser that benefits Pemberton chapters of the Legion, Lion’s and Chamber of Commerce.

The dance, billed as "the biggest barn dance in Sea to Sky country" fills the Copperdome Roothouse with almost 1,000 revellers every year.

"This year we’re going back to a pure country music format, because that’s what people told us they wanted," says Kennett. "So we have Welder’s Daughter headlining and Big Root opening."

Tickets are $25 and are available in Pemberton at Paperworks, The Pemberton Trading Company and the Pemberton Valley Supermarket.

Daily admission to the Pemberton Country Jamboree is $5 for adults, $2 for kids. A complete schedule of events for the jamboree will be available at various locations throughout Pemberton and Whistler starting this weekend.