Jamboree gates open to a big party inside
People waited just about anywhere they could find a spot on Wednesday before the line started forming for entrance into the Craven Country Jamboree.
Some pulled over on the side of the highway. Others made their way into the town of Craven. All were patiently waiting for the gates to reopen after having to be closed Tuesday morning because of the rain and mud.
Meanwhile, those who got in Tuesday before the rain-induced gate closure made sure a party was waiting.
Glen Armstrong was one of those who got in before the gates were closed Tuesday.
He wasn’t sure if that made him lucky, because “it was pretty muddy,” but that didn’t stop him and others from having a few cold beverages as others made their way to camping spots throughout Wednesday.
“It’s great, you meet new people,” he said. “The friendships are a good part of (Craven).”
Mike Dacey was another who got in Tuesday. The group he was camping with used wood pallets to make a dance floor that doubled as an offthe-ground dry space on which to perch.
“We’ve done this because in past years, when it does rain we get muddy and it gets really soggy,” he said. “It just makes it a little more cozy.”
To mark the site, Dacey and crew erected a “Welcome to Fabulous Las Craven” sign.
Dacey said his logic for coming early was “let’s get in before they change their mind.”
Several trailers lined the streets and parking lots of the town of Craven on Wednesday morning, as organizers didn’t want the line up to
I’m a camper, country boy through and through, so (Craven has) all the ingredients to a good time.
start until 2 p.m.
They thought that would lead to less congestion on the highway, although there was still a steady stream of trailers lining the road throughout much of the day.
Cam Wichert arrived about an hour before the gates opened and sat in a Craven parking lot waiting. For him, the wait was worth it. “I’m a camper, country boy through and through, so (Craven has) all the ingredients to a good time,” he said.
Taylor Dingwalo was another waiting for the gates to open. He said rain or shine, Craven is a good time. When he got in, his aim was to find the driest place possible to camp.
Despite heavy rain for much of Tuesday, the grounds were in surprisingly good condition. A bridge was repaired in short order on Wednesday and the roads caused little trouble for trucks and campers.
Organizers expected about 5,000 people would check in Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are traditionally the days where the most people arrive.
Troy Vollhoffer, executive producer for Craven, briefly watched the line of festivalgoers making their way to the camping grounds.
“As you look through these cars coming through the gates, you’re seeing three generations of Craven fans,” he said. “It’s a real social event.”