Nothing says summer like an all-day outdoor party, especially when it involves friends who appreciate a day in the sun, great live music and a cooler full of your drink of choice.
Just ask long-time June Jammers about the annual event, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at G & R Campground, Houston.
Mark Biddle of Dover, who has been going for approximately two decades, tries not to miss a year.
“You initially start going because it’s such a great cause and it helps so many people out,” he said. “But then you start going because it’s a double bang for your buck: You’re helping charity, but you also see so many people that you only see once a year.”
Over the years the all-day concert has raised thousands for Delaware charities. This year’s event will benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and Delaware Boots on the Ground, which supports military members who have been deployed and their families.
The first year Robin Miller of Viola went, she took a gallon of water, a blanket and nothing else. She said she had just as much fun that year — nearly 20 years ago — as she did in years she’s spent hundreds of dollars at the event. It’s the people and the atmosphere that make it the party of the year, she said.
“June Jam is a great big fantastic day,” she said. “It’s a big party. It’s very relaxing. It’s good to be around a lot of people you know.”
Biddle said you never know what’s going to happen, but you know it’s going to be a good time.
“One year there was a huge downpour and it was flooding, and that was a lot of fun and nobody really cared at that point about how wet or how muddy they got,” he said.
Then there was the year at the old campsite when the heat and humidity made it stifling, so people just jumped in a pond and started swimming.
If you want to sit there in your lawn chair and listen to music that’s fine, and if you want to socialize that’s fine, too. Biddle said the event is a harmonious one probably because people let the stress of everything else go for the day.
“You know you’re going to be there all day, it’s not like you plan on going anywhere else,” he said.
And that’s good because besides the party atmosphere, there’s plenty of entertainment to cram into the day.
Public Relations Director Lynn Fowler said organizers tried to diversify the bands this year and included a little of everything. Everyone besides the Junior Jammers and the Tom Larsen Band are first time participants.
“It’s not that people are tired of hearing the local bands, and it’s not that we’re turning our backs on our local people, but there are so many great groups out there,” she said. “We decided this is the year we give them a chance.”
That doesn’t mean audiences won’t recognize any of the bands, many of which are regionally known.
At noon, the music starts with young, high-energy blues band Johnny and the Aces. Following them are Steal Your Face, a jam band that plays their take on the Grateful Dead and other rock, reggae and blues favorites.
Rock’s Bonehead will play at 2:20 p.m. before the Junior Jammers’ young singers take the stage. Philadelphia-based blues singer Deb Callahan performs at 3:45 p.m.
New to this year is the winning band from 93.5 The Beach’s Local Produce contest. Winner Chowderfoot will bring its own blend of funk rock, a sound not unlike old Incubus and Red Hot Chili Peppers mixed with 311.
The Chris Duarte Group will travel to their first Delaware show to bring their funky Delta blues with a hint of grunge, jazz and rock to June Jam at 6:05 p.m.
Bubba’s favorite Hyjinx will play at 7:35 p.m., and will precede the Tom Larsen Band, which will close out the day of music at 8:45 p.m.
“There has got to be something there to please every person,” Fowler said. “At least everybody there will have enjoyed something.”
For those who have never June Jammed, Miller said they shouldn’t hesitate to get a ticket.
“They’re not going to find a more relaxing day with great entertainment and great people,” she said.
June Jam band lineup
Noon: Johnny Duke and the Aces
1:10 p.m.: Steal Your Face
2:20 p.m.: Bonehead
3:30 p.m.: Junior Jammers
3:45 p.m.: Deb Callahan
4:55 p.m.: Chowderfoot
6:05 p.m.: Chris Duarte Group
7:35 p.m.: Hyjinx
8:45 p.m.: Tom Larsen Band
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com
