Big Valley Jamboree Takes Over Camrose Next Weekend

Preparations are well under way as crews arrive on site at the Camrose Exhibition Grounds this weekend to begin the process of setting up for Big Valley Jamboree, which averages around 25,000 daily attendees each day and more than doubles the population of Camrose each year. Old Dominion, Keith Urban and Riley Green are this year's headliners with a stacked undercard featuring tons of Canadian artists.

"It's personally one of my favourite lineups that we've had in a while", says Megan Benoit with Country Thunder Music Festivals who have put on the show since 2019. "I think all 3 headliners are going to put on an incredible performance. Usually at our shows. I have a favourite headliner and this year I really don't because I I think they're all going to be standout. We had a ton of positive feedback that Keith Urban was coming back after he was unable to perform (due to severe weather) a couple years ago. And we're seeing a lot of excitement about some of those direct support artists. Gavin Adcock, Chase Rice, Cameron Whitcomb is specifically that hot name in country music and people are very excited for his show."

With 20 plus artists on the main stage and dozens more between the Coors Original Saloon, Horizon Stage and Songwriters Showcase, Benoit points to a ton of Canadian talent making up the bill specifically pointing out Whitcomb and Robyn Ottolini as potential show stealers.

"I like to talk about Travis Dolter, because it's a really cool full circle story with him," Benoit says. "He's been coming to the festival since he was 5 and has played every single stage from the youth showcase to the beer gardens. This was his hometown festival, as a small child he probably looked at the main stage and thought - oh my gosh, what a dream and now we're making it happen. I think Brett Kissel and Hailey Benedict might be the only other two who have played every stage here, so it's pretty exclusive company"

BVJ will kick off with the special Thursday night kickoff party with Nate Smith and Andrew Hyatt. Thursday's legendary reputation precedes itself with artists like Dallas Smith and Saturday headliner Riley Green moving from the kick-off party to the main stage, and artists like Luke Combs moving past into the stadium level of fame.

"It kind of sets the tone for the whole weekend", Benoit says. "Nate (Smith) was so good last year that it just made sense and I think him with Andrew Hyatt is a great 1-2 punch and then of course Brandon Lorenzo and Morgan Klaiber are two to watch. I think he's going to bring the heat."

BVJ is about far more than the main stage and Saloon with the Marketplace always attracting huge crowds and housing other attractions like the Horizon Stage and Hypnotist show which Benoit marks as a "must see". New this year, Cowboy Church will take place Sunday morning.

Tickets including camping as well as Day Passes are still available for all four night at www.bigvalleyjamboree.com