76°F
weather icon Clear

Thousands expected for Spring Jam

As the weather heats up and April turns to May, the Boulder City Spring Jamboree kicks off the new season for thousands of residents ready to leave winter in the dust.

And for Boulder City Chamber of Commerce CEO Jill Rowland-Lagan, the yearlong process of putting it all together, a process that includes 75 volunteers, is well worth the work.

“Here in Boulder City, everybody knows when Spring Jam is,” she said. “We’ve all been under the cover of winter, blossoms are out and everyone just seems to have a lighter lift to their step. And we all feel like we can’t get out fast enough to do things.”

This year’s Spring Jamboree, the 37th in Boulder City’s history, will run from 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event will spread out to Bicentennial Park, Wilbur Square Park, North and South Escalante parks, and on Colorado Street.

Traditional events include Antiques in the Park, the Arts and Crafts Show, the Pan Draggers Rod Run Car Show and the Little Miss and Mister Pageant will be on hand. But new events such as the Gem and Mineral Show, the Rocky Mountain Gun Show, and Zoo To You, a petting zoo that features snakes, lizards and hedgehogs, will give the regular Jamboree-goer the opportunity to experience something different.

Rowland-Lagan continues to try to spice things up at Spring Jam. An event, she said, should never be static.

“If it is, then you’re in trouble. You always have to reach out there and find what works and what’s a good fit,” she said.

Spring Jam has grown by leaps and bounds since she began organizing it 13 years ago.

“We used to have 85 booths, now we’re up to 275 booths. We’re adding other components that allow other special interest groups to come in and be a part (of Spring Jam),” she said.

Thirteen food vendors will be on hand with a variety of options to choose from, including barbecue, pizza and tacos.

Jamboree-goers also can bungee jump, climb a rock wall, jump in a bounce house or go down a dragon slide that is 32 feet wide and 37 feet long. A paint ball cage, face painting and a human-hamster ball also will be available for people of all ages to enjoy.

As the Chamber of Commerce’s lone fundraiser for the year, Rowland-Lagan said Spring Jam allows the chamber to pay for maps, brochures and other handouts to tourists who help pump up the local economy.

“Spring Jam welcomes people into Boulder City, and that’s exactly what we need. It helps drive our local economy,” said Mayor Roger Tobler. “It seems to be getting bigger every year. People are realizing how fun of a place Boulder City can be.”

With the Boulder City bypass project of Interstate 11 set to break ground later this year, events like Spring Jam are key to building successful local commerce and will hopefully keep people coming back to Boulder City, according to Tobler. Because Spring Jam provides a community-oriented atmosphere, it gives all residents from Southern Nevada the opportunity to experience something they can’t over the hill, he said.

With an expected 30,000 people in attendance for the weekend’s event, Rowland-Lagan encouraged people to come to Spring Jam to build an even greater sense of community.

“Neighbors can get out and meet neighbors. Connections are happening on the friend level, business level and resident level,” she said. “There’s a lot happening and everyone gets to come out and be a part (of it).”

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Search for Central Market tenant continues

It’s been just short of two months since of a trio of friends, who are also longtime local property and business owners, made an announcement that piqued the interest of many in Boulder City.

About 83% of students feel safe at BC schools

Councilwoman Sherri Jorgensen was full of praise regarding a recent all-schools event at the high school.

Local aid groups get fed grant funding

The city has approved disbursement of almost $255,000 in federally-supplied community development block grant (CDBG) funds to three local entities: the Senior Center, Emergency Aid and Lend A Hand.

Planning commission approves Tract 350 variance request

Toll Brothers bettered their record in front of the planning commission to 2-1 last month when the developer got approval for a variance request related to the width of lots in Tract 350.

Kicking Off the New Year

Boulder City High School held its traditional back-to-school assembly this past Friday. School spirit and enthusiasm filled the gym as classes competed against one another to hold the coveted Spirit Stick. Aside from games, members of the fall sports teams performed to songs.

BC Electric’s Medo makes accusations about e-bike/scooter law

While the great majority of public comment surrounding the issues of unsafe usage — often by juveniles — of e-bikes and electric scooters was firmly on the side of the city “doing something,” not everyone is onboard.

So where does that RDA money come from?

It wasn’t all about donuts or whether super bright pink is an appropriate color for a building in the historic district. In addition to donuts it was about, well, dollars.

King to participate in essay contest

Last week, it was announced that fourth graders throughout the state are invited to participate in an essay contest, with the winner receiving the honor of lighting the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.

Really better buy that helmet

With a couple of significant amendments, the city council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance regulating the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in Boulder City. The ordinance passed unanimously Tuesday and will take effect on Sept. 18.