Fort Stewart Jamboree returns for 2026

August 13, 2026

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Fort Stewart Jamboree is returning again this year on Aug. 7 and 8 for another unforgettable weekend of music, food, and the community coming together. A staple in Carlow Mayo Township for over a decade, the Jamboree will celebrate its 13th year this year, with a couple of years hiatus due to COVID-19. This year’s performer will include the Canadian Tall Boys, the Backwoods Brothers, Bart and the Independents, Dirt Road Project, Whiskey Smoke, Detention Club, Fearless Fiddlers, Griffin McGill, Renegade, Randa, RipChord, Griddle Pickers, and Cori Coulas and Jackson Kargus. Lexi Fleming, Lawrence Moriarty, Karen Lemieux and many more will also grace the Breezeway stage. All proceeds from the Fort Stewart Jamboree went toward maintaining the Carlow Community Centre. Last year, the popular event raised over $10,000 toward community centre maintenance. Organizer Kim Stewart comments to The Bancroft Times about this year’s Fort Stewart Jamboree.

Stewart told The Bancroft Times on July 29 that the excitement is building as they prepare for another fantastic Jamboree in the historic village of Fort Stewart this year on Aug. 7 and 8.

“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for a weekend filled with outstanding entertainment, great food, and community spirit. As always, we’re hoping for beautiful weather, even though rain has become something of an annual tradition! Fortunately, a little rain has never dampened the enthusiasm of our dancers, musicians, or guests. This year, we are pleased to welcome several new members to both our community centre board and our Jamboree committee. Their dedication, hard work, and countless volunteer hours have been invaluable in making this year’s event possible. We sincerely thank each of them for their commitment to our community.

Our 2026 entertainment lineup promises something for everyone. Live music begins on Friday at 1 p.m. and continues through Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. Enjoy an outstanding variety of performances featuring Classic Country, Classic Rock, Bluegrass, New Country, and talented fiddlers. We are also delighted to welcome back The Breezeway Stage and Millpond Music, who will keep the music flowing throughout the day with continuous entertainment between performances.

We are pleased to have an excellent selection of food vendors returning this year, including Back Alley BBQ, Mineral Capital Catering, Hidden Valley Catering, and Kookies & Kream Ice Cream & Treats. Bentley Brothers Ice will also be on site with ice available for purchase,” she says.

Mineral Capital Catering told The Bancroft Times on July 27 that they were thrilled to be part of the Fort Stewart Jamboree this year. They say that not only will they be there selling their iced coffee and lemonade, they’ll also be volunteering their time in preparation for the event, providing equipment and facilitating a kids’ scavenger hunt.

“Doing our part in the community and participating in community events has always been a driving force for us. The Carlow Mayo township council have been very inviting to us, joining the recreation committee has given us an opportunity to be part of community initiatives. We’ve been part of many other community events such as; Canada Day at Foster Lake, Hospice [North Hastings] fundraiser, Fish Hatchery dinner, and the Mineral Capital Concert Series in [Millennium] Park. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Jamboree. Looking forward to all the junior Rockhounds ready to explore the Jamboree and enjoy a fun-filled scavenger hunt!” they said.

Stewart said that everyone attending should be sure to visit their vendor area, featuring local businesses including The Breezeway with festival merchandise, Burnt Designs, and Bee & Root Honey, along with Pam McLaren showcasing unique products and services.

“The success of the Fort Stewart Jamboree would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, and community supporters. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to J.M. Logging, Oakridge Farm & Trucking, Yantha Enterprises (Barry’s Bay), Murphy’s Septic Service, Dillabough Millwrighting & Welding, Desjardins Insurance Jasmine Mackey, Neuman Funeral Home, RONA Bancroft – Card’s Building Centre, and Whitfield ClimateCare for their generous support. We are equally grateful to the many individuals who have contributed through personal donations and the numerous businesses and community members who have donated items for our Silent Auction. Your generosity continues to make this event a tremendous success. We invite everyone to view our complete sponsor board on the Fort Stewart Jamboree Facebook page. Every dollar raised during the Fort Stewart Jamboree is invested back into the Carlow Community Centre. These funds help cover monthly operating expenses, support ongoing maintenance, and provide for facility improvements and upgrades. They also enable us to offer community events and programs at little or no cost to local residents—all without placing additional financial burden on taxpayers. On behalf of the Fort Stewart Jamboree committee, thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy an unforgettable weekend of music, friendship, and community celebration. Thank you for being part of what makes the Fort Stewart Jamboree such a special tradition,” she says. “Enjoy the music, support our vendors, and have a wonderful weekend!”