Spring Jamboree

On the first weekend in May, booths fill four public parks in the historic downtown of Boulder City, Nevada: Bicentennial Park at 999 Colorado Street, Wilbur Square, and North and South Escalante Parks. The Boulder City Review spells the last two “Escalante.” The festival’s own site spells them “Escalate.” Admission is free.

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce runs Spring Jamboree. Its Facebook page places the festival on the first full weekend of the month. The 2026 festival fell on May 2 and 3, and Fabulous Nevada counted it as the 49th. The chamber has set May 1 and 2 for 2027. Parking is free throughout downtown, and the chamber advises arriving early on Saturday, its busiest day.

Booths, stones, and hot rods

Jill Rowland Lagan, the chamber’s chief executive, gave the 2026 program to Tina Cluver of BoulderCity.com. It listed more than 200 booths:

• antiques and collectibles
• handmade art, crafts, and boutique goods
• the chamber’s own Showcase Business Expo
• a KidZone activity area
• a Flippenout trampoline show
• live music

The Southern Nevada Gem and Mineral Society holds its rock and mineral show inside the Parks and Recreation gym buildings. Local and regional performers hold the main stage on both days.

The artisans set up their tents in Wilbur Square. Mayor Joe Hardy wrote in 2023 that they come from all over the Southwest. Lagan told him, “These artists are the flagship vendors at Spring Jamboree and are given priority placement and highlighted at this festival. All items for sale must be at least 51% handmade to be in this section.” Judges score the artisans on design, creativity, and craftsmanship for cash awards. The Bullet Studio won the 2025 competition.

Food comes from food trucks and concession stands. In 2025 the chamber interviewed several food vendors for its Best Dam Podcast:

• Cookies by Ying
• Aloha Specialties
• America’s Best Coffee, which sold funnel cakes, street corn, and lemonade

The car show brings classic cars and hot rods from across the West. In 2026 the Pan Draggers Rod Run Car Show began on the Friday. The Boulder City Cruisin Association also listed a Boulder City Rod Run for Saturday, May 2.

Toddlers, dogs, and the 1940s

Saturday opens at 9 a.m. with the Little Miss and Little Mister Boulder City contest. In 2026 it was sponsored by Dance, Etc. Hardy described it in 2023 as a contest for children aged three to five, who answer “cute questions.” A talent is not required.

At 11 a.m. comes Bark in the Park. Its categories have included scruffiest dog, cutest dog trick, and best dog/owner costume. In 2026 it was hosted by See Spot Run and emceed by Cokie Booth, a community leader and local Realtor. Dogs that are not competing may come too, provided they are vaccinated, licensed, and friendly. Owners are expected to clean up after them.

Sunday morning belongs to the Miss Spring Jamboree Pinup Contest. It ran at 11 a.m. in 2023 and at 10 a.m. in 2026. Contestants must be 18 or older and must wear vintage clothing, hair, makeup, and shoes from the 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s. The judges look for presence, talent, and how contestants answer questions.

A sidewalk sale in 1977

Spring Jamboree began in 1977 as a small sidewalk sale in the city’s Historic District. Accounts differ on who held it. Mayor Hardy credits members of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. The festival’s site and Fabulous Nevada say it was organized by local business owners.

Over the years the sale spread to hundreds of vendors across the four parks. It became the chamber’s primary fundraising event, and the chamber notes that many consider it Boulder City’s first major public festival of the year. Lagan has stated the chamber’s purpose in plain terms: “The mission of the Boulder City Chamber is to promote business and increase visitation to Boulder City.” The festival’s site carries the line “A World Away for a Day.”

The pinup pageant is the newest of the old program’s additions. Hardy’s 2023 column announced “the second Miss Spring Jamboree,” and the chamber records Nancy Bailey as the first, crowned in 2022. Three years later, the photographs of the 2025 pageant were credited to Nancy Bailey Photography.