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Changes Coming At Belmont County Country Music Festival

Jamboree In The Hills gets a makeover

File photo by Scott McCloskey Country music fans take part in the annual “Redneck Run” at a previous Jamboree In The Hills. Among changes in store for the event, to be rechristened “Jambo Country,” is a rebranding of the annual Thursday scramble for spots at the event as the “Morning Run.”

MORRISTOWN — The “Super Bowl of Country Music” has a new name and plenty of changes in store for the 2017 event.

Officials at Live Nation, sponsor of the annual four-day Jamboree In The Hills country music festival in Belmont County have announced significant changes — including a new name, logo, attendance rules and a shorter weekend — for next year’s event in July.

Live Nation spokeswoman Kelly Tucker-Jones said Jamboree In The Hills has been rechristened “Jambo Country,” and will be held Thursday through Saturday, July 13-15, rather than the usual four-day event that included a Sunday show. Tucker-Jones said the name change falls in line with what country fans have called the festival for years.

She said another major change will be instituted this year in an effort to control underage drinking and excessive consumption of alcohol.

Tucker-Jones said fans will not be allowed to bring in coolers or alcohol to Jambo Country. Alcohol will be sold on site, however. Also not permitted are glass bottles or cans, no beverages other than one, 20-ounce factory-sealed bottle of water, large bags, illegal substances, laser pointers, zoom lens cameras, animals, with the exception of service animals, audio or video recorders, weapons or fireworks.

Fans may be searched at the gate for contraband.

The daily “Redneck Run” will now be called the “Morning Run” and will allow fans to run onto the festival grounds at 8 a.m. each day to reserve a seat. Fans will be allowed to place an 8-foot by 10-foot tarp or blanket on the ground during the Morning Run.

Fans will continue to be allowed access to a photo aisle during shows, and fireworks will cap the night on Saturday in 2017.

Tucker-Jones described concert attendees as “the most dedicated country music fans in the world.”

“We value their patronage to our event and know that they will love Jambo Country. It will incorporate some of the traditions of the past but will bring new life to the party with new products and an overall upgraded festival experience,” Tucker-Jones said.

But online comments on the Jambo Facebook page have not favored all the changes, especially regarding the cooler issue. Several fans raised concerns over the price of alcohol sold on site, although prices have not been revealed yet.

Others were unhappy with the name change and the now-obsolete “Jamboree In The Hills” theme song.

Live Nation has announced three of the main acts for Jambo Country 2017.

Headlining Thursday night will be Thomas Rhett, making his second appearance at the event.

On Friday, Jason Aldean will take to the stage. And on Saturday, Lady Antebellum will be the headliner, marking the group’s first appearance at Jambo Country.

Additional announcements will be made regarding the rest of the line-up in the near future.

The one-day sale for three-day concert tickets at a discounted price will be held from 9 a.m. to  9 p.m. Dec. 15.

For more information on tickets and changes, go to jambocountry.com.

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