Jamboree makes 36th appearance in Amherst

by JOHN LASKO

News-Times reporter

The 36th annual Amherst Old Time Jamboree is right around the corner.

The event will take place Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, in the city parking lot between Tenney and Park avenues. It is being sponsored this year by Lorain National Bank and Amherst-based LorMet Federal Credit Union.

Like last year, those attending will not have to pay an admission fee to enjoy the festivities.

"This is my third year doing this and I think we've got it down to a science now -- I mean it seems almost effortless," Amherst Historical Society Jamboree Committee chairwoman Kathleen Litkovitz said. "We're not only trying to build a better Jamboree, but to keep it the way people like it -- a community and family-oriented festival."

Even though last year's singing competition was rained out, Amherst Super Star -- a spin-off of the hit FOX reality show American Idol -- will be returning this year.

Just in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate again, Litkovitz has partnered with Jay Murray -- owner of Church Street Bar & Grill -- to hold the singing contest indoors.

"Last year I believe we had 15 kids and they were so upset because they had really practiced a long time for that, " Litkovitz said. "This competition will go off without a hitch this year since we're prepared."

Applications for Amherst Super Star are available at the treasurer's office inside the San Spring Building, 480 Park Ave. Applications are also available for downloading from the Amherst Historical Society's website, www.amhersthistoricalsociety.com.

There is a $10 fee to be a part of the singing competition.

Litkovitz is still working on putting together the prizes which will be given to the first-, second- and third-place finishers.

Playing the roles of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are city council president John Dietrich, Amherst Community chorus director Simone Gall and WDLW-AM 1380 disc jockey Pete Delmonico.

A Chinese auction to benefit the historical society will also be held. Individuals can purchase six tickets for $5 or 13 tickets for $10 for a chance to win one of several baskets stuffed to the brim with goodies.

"In front of each basket is a box and you put part of your raffle ticket in there and when we draw that particular ticket with their number on it Sunday afternoon, they win that particular basket," Litkovitz said.

Currently, she has 12 baskets, four of which were donated by Perk Avenue Coffee Shoppe, Maryann's Pizza and Giant Eagle in Amherst, Lorain National Bank, Boyd's Bears, Studio 8 Hair Designs & Spa in Lorain, as well as from Newark, Ohio-based Longaberger Basket Company.

The other four gift baskets include:

* The "Pamper Yourself" basket, which includes gift certificates to Park Avenue Salon, Carefully Cut, The Styling Den, Kaleidoscope Hair Design, two bed and breakfasts, and Jefferson 150. The other items in the basket include a tea pot donated by Zilch Florists, a travel and coffee mug filled with candy, candles, wine, wine glasses, body lotion and a Longaberger bath basket.

* The "Highlight Amherst" basket, which includes gift certificates to Church Street Bar & Grill, Applebee's, Mermaid's Tale, Jefferson 150, Amherst Deli, Angelo's Pizza, Roxy's Reads & Remnants, The Frame Shoppe and Denny's. The other items include an Amherst face clock, an Amherst plate, Amherst stars, two Sliman's T-shirts, a Lorain County travel mug and a monogram shop hat.

* The "Sports basket" includes four Lake Erie Crushers tickets, four Indians club seat tickets, four hats and three T-shirts from Kohlmyer Sports in Lorain, a gift certificate to Dragon Ranch Golf Club in Amherst Township, and three sleeves of golf balls.

* The "Lottery Basket" includes $100 worth of instant scratch-off lottery tickets, four Lake Erie Crushers tickets, two Boyd's Bears, two baseball hats and a bottle of wine.

Litkovitz told the News-Times the historical society will also be selling plants courtesy of Green Circle Growers in Oberlin.

Due to the rising cost of gas, the rides which came to the Jamboree last year will not be returning this year.

"To bring in those rides we had last year, it would have been cost prohibitive," Litkovitz said.

Instead, the festival will feature a rock climbing wall, the Jupiter Jump, the jumbo slide, a bounce house and games of chance.

"There will also be the fellow who does the airbrush tattoos, which the kids just love and Mario's will be back making his famous gyro sandwiches and a lot of other different venders," Litkovitz said.

On Friday, July 10, the opening ceremony will take place at 5:15 p.m. with the invocation by Rev. William Mouer from the Family Fellowship Foursquare Church in Amherst. The church's choir will sing the Star Spangled Banner, as well as other songs to commemorate the church's 75th anniversary.

Between 9 and 11 p.m., the Replay Band will dedicate one of their songs to the Steele High School Class of 74 reunion.

On Saturday, July 11, beginning at noon, Olde Towne Pizza will sponsor a pizza-eating contest.

At 1 p.m., the Amherst Public Library will sponsor a pet parade.

The Amherst Super Star singing contest will take place from 2-4 p.m. and at 5 p.m., the Amherst Community Choir will take the stage under the direction of Steve and Simone Gall.

The Naked Monkeys band will close out the Jamboree for the evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. They, too, will also dedicate one of their songs to the Class of '59 who are celebrating their 50th high school reunion.

The festival opens on Sunday, July 12 at noon.

The Olde Time Jamboree Parade will begin at 1 p.m. from Steele High School. The parade participants will march up Washington Street to Forest Street. From there they will turn right onto Tenney Avenue and make another right onto Church Street. The parade will then make its way on to Park Avenue and end at the Jamboree site. Jefferson 150 will be sponsoring a bike contest after the parade.

From 1:45 to 3 p.m., the Patriots Band will perform.

Beginning at 5 p.m., local band Endless Solution will take the stage to close this year's Jamboree.

For more information, call Kathleen Litkovitz at either 988-7255 or 985-1011.