FELLSMERE — Several hundred airboat fans and outdoor enthusiasts braved the potentially stormy weather Saturday and descended on the grounds around the Old Fellsmere School to participate in the Indian River Airboat Association’s sixth annual Southern Outdoor Jamboree.
This year, the group decided to branch out a bit and rebrand the event as an “outdoor jamboree” in hopes of drumming up a bigger crowd and reaching people who might otherwise not be interested in an airboat show and swap meet.
To that end, organizers rallied more than 40 vendors with southern style homemade crafts – including bird baths, gourmet foods, clothing and dream catchers.
“This is definitely not your usual event,” attendee and vendor Michele Smith said. Her family set up their shaved ice truck to serve the overheated crowd.
“It’s hot, so it’s good,” she said of business at the event.
Smith said the event had that truly southern flare – what with frog legs and the like for sale.
“I feel like I’m home again,” the Texas native said.
For all the airboats, antique engines, music and remote-controlled helicopters vying for attention, 4-year-old Aubrey Smith said her favorite part was the bounce house.
The bounce house and face painting served to attract kids to the jamboree and organizers worked to draw their attention to various outdoor sports and activities.
“It’s a good time,” said former president of the Indian River Airboat Association Danny Emmons, who now serves as the president of the Florida Airboat Association. “It’s great to build community relations.”
Emmons said the event is meant to help raise awareness of airboating in Indian River County and cultivate new members.
But none of it would be possible without the volunteer efforts of the Airboat Association’s members.
“It’s the only way to get it done,” Emmons said.
This year’s corporate sponsors included:
- Hamant Airboats
- Diamondback Airboats
- Safety and Environmental Systems
- Float on Trailer
- Jurnigan Aircraft Engines
- Water Walker Props, Inc.
- Hometown News
- Reliable Poly Jon
- Sommer Outdoors
- East Coast Tile
- Remax Crown Realty
- Complete Pest Control
- Velde Ford
- Mark’s Painting
- Billy’s Auto Service
- Jeff Wilson Masonry
- Moody Tire
- Smalley’s Landscape
- Regal Paint Centers
- M N Worldwide
