For a decade Bill and Callie Petrie have been organizing the Gospel Jamboree in Cranbrook and providing a venue for country gospel musicians, local and visiting, to play their music and people to enjoy that music.

In this 10th year of the event there are returning artists who have become crowd favourites like Hank and Rosaline Betke, Ed Kriger, and Clayton and BaBetta Moncrieff. Those attending will also get to enjoy the music of newcomers Bob and Jodi Faith, Harold and Betty Pudwell and Friends and locals Chris and Kathy Casimer.

The Gospel Jamboree will take place at the New Life Foursquare Church (308 10th Avenue) Aug. 13-15.

The event kicks off Friday, Aug. 13 from 7-9:30 p.m. with various performances. Then it all starts up again on Saturday at 1:30 to 4 p.m. and then again at 7-9:30. In between those two performances on Saturday is the Cowboy Supper at 5 p.m. Then on Sunday there will be a church service at 10 a.m. done by Pastor Gordon Henry.

Admission to all the performances and the Cowboy supper is by donation. All the money collected from donations will pay for expenses and will be split between the artists to cover their costs, as they are not paid to play at the event.

The Casimers aside, all of the performers at the Gospel Jamboree will travel to come to the event. The Faiths are from Lafleche, Saskatchewan, the Betkes are from Edmonton, Alberta, the Moncrieffs are from Cayley, Alberta, Krieger is from Lumby, B.C., and the Pudwells and Friends hail from Salmon Arm, B.C.

Bill Petrie said this year has already been a big one, what with the City of Cranbrook proclaiming Aug. 13-15 as Gospel Jamboree Days in town.

“I’ve had lots of people asking when the jamboree is going to be,” he said. “We’ve had a pretty good response to it. It’s been a long haul and it’s been like anything else, you’ve got to work at it.”

Anyone looking for more information can call Bill at 250-426-2161.