D.W. Miles (driving truck) advertises events for the June Jamboree in a photo dated 1962. Miles said he does not know the identity of the other people in the back of the truck, but referred to them as sales staff at his auto lot. The little boy in the photo is D.W.'s son, Wayne Miles.

Local merchants to expand annual celebration

After 48 years of organizing the annual June Jamboree, the Miles family has opted to pass the torch of the event's success on to the community, expanding the horizons of the event to include more local merchants.

According to local merchant John Kilmartin, manager of the Alleghany Inn, this year's events are a group effort consisting of the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce, the Sparta Revitalization Committee, local merchants and other interested parties. Speaking on the group's behalf, Kilmartin said the group was interested on building on the success of last year's Fourth of July events. "By collaborating with D.W. Miles and his long-running successful June Jamboree, we have greatly expanded the number of activities," he said. "We will start and end the jamboree this year with a street dance in front of the Alleghany Jubilee, the first being this Saturday night and the last being July 8th. Main Street will be closed at 6 p.m. from the courthouse to First Community Bank for the event starting at 7 p.m. Live music will be provided along with food and beverages."

George White, president of the Sparta Revitalization Committee, commented Tuesday, "We're trying to attract people to Sparta so they can see what our businesses have to offer, as well as inform locals of things of interest." The things of interest include a farm week, a recreation week, a health week and a fire and safety week.

"We also look forward to providing entertainment with music and dances," White added.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back