The 52nd annual 4-day Homecoming Celebration will be at Riverbend Park on Hwy 71 for most of the 4-day celebration (5-days if counting the carnival that starts on Wednesday!) with an afternoon parade on Saturday, April 18 in downtown Smithville. This is the time most Smithvillians return home to the nest for a great time with friends and family. And folks come visit to see how the small towns celebrate life. And on top of that, this is such a tradition in Smithville that the school lets out on Friday so every child can come celebrate. Oh, did we mention that it’s really fun! You could be one of those enjoying the magic of Jamboree. The Critter says, “Y’all Come!”


At Smithville’s Riverbend Park will be live music with dancing allowed, food vendors, a pet show for the kids. The library holds a pre-Jamboree coloring contest with the results given before the pet show, and a mini-parade immediately following the pet show. Also on the board for those competitive types, tournaments testing skills with horseshoes, washers and softball teams, so gather up your team today.
The carnival pre-opens the event on Wednesday evening with special armband rates for kids and those young at heart for all you can ride. Specials for all-you-can-ride times are active throughout the weekend. We’ll update you on times and on prices. The fairway includes games of skill and games of chance to win that special prize.
Saturday morning is the 4-H/FFA Livestock Show for the kids to show their animals. The sale, supporting the kids’ efforts, is later that afternoon.
Armbands are sold to enter Chuckwagon Square, where the vendors and food booths are located. This is also where the horseshoe and washer tournaments are held. And to top that off, the great live entertainment performs up on the stage. Chuckwagon Square is open to everyone until 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and Saturday morning until 1 p.m. Get into Chuckwagon Square for $8 on Thursday or Friday after 4 p.m., and $10 on Saturday after 1 p.m.; Sunday is free to the public. Or you can get one of the 1000 pre-sale armbands for $15 that gets you into The Square throughout the entire event.
The live music is really the treat of Jamboree with a variety of acts performing for your listening or dancing pleasure. This is sometimes the only time of year you can see some of the guys scoot-a-boot so come on out.
For more information call city hall at 512-237-3282 or check out the website at www.JamboreeSmithville.com. A full list of contacts and phone numbers to sign up for all the good time tournaments and the like will be updated in time for you to register.


The Jamboree Committee also hosts the city’s traditional afternoon parade west down Loop 230 and back north on Main Street. This year’s theme is “Salute to our Military: Past and Present.” There will be floats available for past and present members of the military and for representatives of those not able to be present today. Also, the popular Pets Parade will continue with children, pets and bicycles to get the younger crowd involved. No skateboards/or scooters allowed.
The parade will again head west on Loop 230 and north on Main. Registration forms will be available for signup in advance. All folks must sign also in the day of the parade. There is no charge to enter. For more information or to participate in the parade, call the parade chairperson at 512-921-0751.