The Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association Jamboree kicks off today in McLeese Lake, Friday, Aug. 7 at 9 a.m. for its 18th year.
Held at the McLeese Lake Community Hall, the event welcomes eight bands from places such as Rocky Mountain House, Valemont, Prince George, Williams Lake, 108 Mile House, Courtney and Burnaby.
There are also the lively Lahal Jiggers from Quesnel.
The family-friendly event includes vendors, free camping, a loonie auction and face painting, balloon animal making and bouncy castles for kids.
Event organizer Arnold Lucier said the jamboree, put on by the Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association in cooperation with the BC Metis Federation, includes local sponsors and great community support.
The atmosphere at the Metis jamboree has always been friendly, laid-back and welcoming, he added.
“This is just how we grew up — with cousins, uncles and aunties sitting around playing music, and it just stuck,” Lucier said. “Thank God for our volunteers. We even have people coming from Bear Lake to cook for us — they love it here.
This is good music, good food and good fellowship.”