‘All about having fun’: Spring Music Jamboree supports seniors community of Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — People put their dancing shoes on to support the seniors community at the 2025 Spring Music Jamboree in Fort St. John. 

The annual event took place at the Royal Canadian Legion on May 31st to fundraise for the Fort St. John and Area Senior’s Care Foundation. 

Over 100 people attended, paying $20 for an all-day meal, free live country music and dancing. 

Several musicians and bands from the Peace region played for the crowd, including Tom Garcia, Henry Braun,  Mike Sours, Wayne Cheeseman and more. 

Over 100 pancakes, 180 hamburgers, 240 sausages and 240 eggs were cooked for the attendees, according to Rich Sharpe and Spenst Jeff, who have been volunteering at the kitchen for more than a decade.

The money will be used for meals on wheels, light housekeeping, outreach programs and events to provide fun for seniors. 

“The goal is not only to bring money in, but also to bring awareness to the community,” said Roxanne Chmelyk, who has been president of the Fort St. John and Area Senior’s Care Foundation since 1994. 

“Our goal is to keep seniors healthy, happy and energized. Just to see the smiles on people’s faces, to see them enjoy the programs, to know that they’re being looked after, to know that we are there for them.” 

William Skaley, a skilled 96-year-old dancer, came to the Spring Music Jamboree all the way from Grande Prairie.

“I get more compliments in my 90s than I did in my 80s; I always try to improve,” he told Energeticcity.ca. 

“It’s all about having fun,” said Diana Foster, who has been a dance teacher since 1990. 

She teaches country and polka at the Pomeroy Sport Center. 

“I’m 75 and I’m still teaching and having a good time,” Foster added. 

Attendee Stan Large, author of a book called Live Love Laugh, said: “You only need three things in life: good horses, a good wife and good music.”

Rebecca McCord, who has been volunteering for the Senior’s Care Foundation for over five years, said: “I’ll be there one day, so I hope the next generation does this for me.

“It’s a really good community for them to make friends. Some of them have lost spouses, and then they find love again.”

Pembina Pipeline was the main sponsor of the event. 

Find out more about the Fort St. John and Area Senior’s Care Foundation on its Facebook page.