Shawville Lions Country Jamboree honours long-time former attendee

Shawville Lions Country Jamboree honours long-time former attendee

The official opening of the Shawville Lions Country Jamboree took place on Friday (July 19), with greetings from several local dignitaries including Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel, Warden Jane Toller, Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary and Clarendon Mayor Ed Walsh. The annual festival is in its 11th year with the Lions at the helm, and saw roughly 150 trailers and RVs scattered across the grounds at Armstrong Heritage Farm on Hwy. 148.

This year’s event featured a special dedication to honour the memory of long-time jamboree attendee and musician Anthony “Tony” McKenzie, who passed away in October 2023. Walsh, (who is also the Lions Club President) said that while McKenzie wasn’t a member of the Lions, he participated in many of their activities and would be missed by all who knew him.

Walsh presented a plaque to members of McKenzie’s family, including his widow Margaret and three children. McKenzie’s son Roger, who played a set later that day featuring some of his father’s favourite classic country tunes, said that his dad loved the Jamboree’s Thursday night open mic.

Walsh added that they had seen a bit of a drop off in attendance post-pandemic and were slowly increasing their numbers over the previous couple of years. He said that they were on target to reach their goal of 150 trailers, a modest increase from last year’s total of 130.