2019 Murray Jamboree

Another Murray Jamboree is in the books and many hard working volunteers along with the Murray Lions Club are to thank for the successful event.

The Murray Lions Club has eleven members and they have a routine for getting the Jamboree organized. There have been at least 85 Jamboree’s in Murray and the Murray Lions Club is celebrating its 86th year.

“One of the big highlights of the Jamboree used to be every year we found a couple and we’d have a wedding,” said third generation Lions member Denny Jeter. “That used to be the big thing on Saturday night, was the wedding.”

They haven’t had a wedding for a few years but the offer still stands. The Murray Lions Club provides the pastor, flowers and the whole Jamboree crowd. Anyone planning to get married the first weekend of August is eligible to be married at the Murray Jamboree.

This year’s Murray Lions Club President is Monte Chew. He is a second generation member of the Murray Lions Club and has been President in the past as well.

“We work together as a group. We have to get together with the city to get roads closed, get the fireworks lined up, get all these extra guys to bring in our inflatables, our bands, our bingo prizes purchased and those are all coming from donated funds,” said Chew.

Each Lions Club member brings six pies for their pie trailer. The Bill Riley Talent Show, one of the last contests before the State Fair is held at the Murray Jamboree.

The Murray Lions Club may only have 11 members but they had nearly 60 volunteers help set things up before hand.

“There’s a lot of community involvement,” said Chew. “Social media helps a lot.”

The Murray Lions Club is also selling t-shirts to help beat childhood cancer. Lions in Iowa will be able to show their support and raise funds for the children’s cancer charity Beat Cancer Today by ordering t-shirts created just for Lions in Iowa.

The Council of Governors approved the promotion at its January meeting. The plan was developed after Aaron Horn, director of Beat Cancer Today, spoke at the District 9EC Fall Rally in October. Aaron told the story of how he was inspired to start Beat Cancer today after his little boy’s battle with cancer.

Beat Cancer Today’s mission is to create awareness of childhood cancers and to provide financial support for childhood cancer research, scholarships, and patient and family support programs. The group raises funds through apparel sales and special events.

Now Lions can show their support through special t-shirts that are designed in Lions colors with the Lions logo on the front and “Lions Clubs of Iowa” printed on the back.

The successful 2019 Murray Jamboree was held by the Murray Lions Club and this small town tradition has a big impact on those who call it home.

“It’s like a big homecoming,” said Jeter.

Class reunions are held during the Jamboree and entire school reunions happen every five years. 11 men and countless volunteers worked hard to put on a great event in their home town.