PHOTOS: 1st campers through Craven Country Jamboree gates

Many of the first people in line at the gates to the Craven Country Jamboree are what you might call “Craven lifers” – the people who have been coming back year after year for great music and great people.

This year people are following the warnings about line-ups blocking traffic on the highway. RCMP were prepared to tow away anyone blocking traffic, but on Tuesday as the gates opened, it was only a trickle of campers with no lineups.

Campers were also not allowed to park overnight at the service road as they have in previous years.

Kim Blevins is the manager of marketing and operations for Craven Country Jamboree. As she watched the first few trailers pull through the gates she says she was impressed by the lack of ‘drama.’

“We thank people for that. There’s no need for people to race out here and people have been listening,” she said. “We did have a bit of a lineup on our access road but it didn’t hit the highway so that was great.”

Ray Bakken is from Estevan and he could hardly wait to get in line with his tiny bowler trailer at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. He has been coming to Craven regularly since 1988.

“It’s just such a great time. I’ve never had so much fun in all my life,” he said. “It’s one week of my life that I take for holidays every year and that’s probably the only holiday I take so I save up for this one.”

Bakken just loves the atmosphere with the crowds of people who are all friendly and interesting.

“Standing in line is part of it too; sitting in line with your lawn chair waiting for three or four hours trying to get a seat in the front row in the grounds that’s part of the fun,” he said.

This is the first year Bakken managed to convince his son, Kelly Bakken, to join him at the biggest party of the year.

“I hear it’s pretty crazy here and like my dad said, you don’t sleep,” he said.

Gordon Smith was parked beside them in line with his own old bowler trailer which he says is the second one he has brought to Craven over the years.

“I’ve never missed a music festival when it’s been country,” he explained.

“To me it seems like a regular family reunion every year. You get to meet people you’ve seen maybe the year before and so on and so forth and you only see them once a year.”

Crystal White is the same; she came the first year and has been returning every year since then. She also loves the party atmosphere.

“I love the young people here. They’re here for such a good time. They have so much fun and I love to see them having fun,” she said. “And you never have to worry because they’re not drinking and driving.”

She says the concert lineup was so good last year it’s going to be hard to beat, but this year she is looking forward to Blake Shelton on Saturday night.

While some Craven “lifers” have been coming for more than three decades, others are just at the beginning of that tradition. Jason Byrnes from Regina has been coming to Craven with his friend Jared Wagner from Weyburn for about six years.

“Good music, good times, good people,” Byrnes said. “Lots of good memories, lots of good times in the beer gardens dancing the night away.”

Wagner says they’ve learned a few lessons after six years.

“I’ve got a camper now; I won’t be sleeping on a deflated air mattress at four in the morning.”

Beer gardens won’t open until Wednesday but until then, most people here are happy to simply wander around and visit with old friends.

Blevins says there are a few new activities for people to take in this year including a hypnotist and a song-writer circle plus a junior bull and steer riding event called ‘Boys, Bulls and Bucks’. On Saturday afternoon the Beer Gardens will also play host to the “Craven NHL Old Stars Skills Competition”. Former and current NHL players will be coming in to test their skills against some “average joes”.

For a full line up and event list you can check the jamboree’s website.

Early bird campers lined up at 5am at the Craven gates. But so far no one is lining up on the highway. pic.twitter.com/ClX3iG5eMB

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) July 7, 2015

That was fast. After the first rush of trailers everyone is through the gates at Craven Country Jamboree. pic.twitter.com/eda71dCuHo

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) July 7, 2015

First people in line at Craven Country Jamboree have been here since 5am. pic.twitter.com/BUT1PQSIuQ

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) July 7, 2015

The lineup is growing at the gates to Craven Country Jamboree. People are meeting up with old friends. pic.twitter.com/S3M8D2d5Ct

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) July 7, 2015

Still not a big lineup at the gates of Craven Country Jamboree. Trailers started rolling in around 5am. pic.twitter.com/RTzNUgGbXK

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) July 7, 2015

Ray Bakken has been coming to Craven since 1988 but this will be his son Kelly's first year. pic.twitter.com/XMueUzZE8e

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) July 7, 2015

AChristianson@rawlco.com
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