A sneak peek
June 03, 2009
Headed over to BamaJam today to see what was what and to get the camper set up.
I drove over shortly after 1 p.m., again appreciating the drive. It’s really pretty when you hit the hills on Highway 84, west of Clayhatchee. Skies were cloudy and the thermometer on the 4-runner said 84 degrees. I’ll take it.
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Today’s assignment was the set-up story. How many folks are here, who is doing what, what’s it look like. I had no trouble getting through Gate No. 2, parked by the big tree between the entry gate and the saloon, and walked around.
Lots to see. Lots of activity. There were guys putting down water pipe and covering it with dirt in the children’s play area. There were guys on polls hooking up electric wires. There were CenturyTel folks getting the glitches out of the wireless. There was sawing and drilling and hammering to be heard at this stage or that building. Finishing touches. It will be ready.
Lots of new buildings which were not here last year, including an air conditioned merchandise barn and a press area that is painted in camo, and sits way up high, designed like a deer stand. It is also Air Conditioned. Thank you, Ronnie Gilley!
After taking a walk-about, I found a tent with a table and chair where I could hook into a power cord and write. (Deer stand not open yet.) Pretty soon, Eagle photographer Danny Tindle found me. We talked about photos and watched a few sprinkles fall from the sky.
Hundreds of campers are here already. Looks like more than 50 vendors, including “Welcome to Moe’s!“
The husband, Mark, brought over the camper and the little one. The children didn’t make BamaJam last year, but this year, Sidney is in tow. She’s about as excited as a second grader could be at the thought of seeing Taylor Swift. Can you say scream like a pre-teen girl. My oldest, Samantha, is in Mississippi visiting her dad .... missing all the fun!
Setting up the camper was easy. (Possibly cause I did nothing?) Mark’s son, my step-son, Michael did all the muscle work this year. He’s young. He can do it.
The camper will be the official Dothan Eagle gathering point, watering hole, air conditioner, etc. for all those tired staffers needing a break.
Gilley Properties employee Mark Sheldon came over to our site, in the Friends & Family parking lot, and we chatted about many things BamaJam. It was very informative. Tomorrow, I will walk you through it.
Based on Sheldon’s information, I am putting together a BamaJam Survival Tips piece. It will be published on line Thursday and in Friday’s newspaper. I can tell you the price of a beer—$3.12 or three coupons—and can dispel this rumor circulating about “RESERVED PARKING” passes being available for 50 bucks. That is false.
If you have a question, a concern or a rumor to verify, e-mail me at and I’ll check it out.
I won’t be the only blogger this year, so your horizons can be expanded by different viewpoints from a variety of writers and photographers. We will do our best to keep you informed about all things BamaJam.
So, look forward to hearing from you in the days ahead. Tonight it’s early to bed. Thursday we Jam.
