Sam Dudley admits he was little surprised at the turnout for the city’s inaugural Jamboreeka event last July.

“Last year was kind of an eye-opening experience with how many people showed up,” said Dudley, director of Eureka Springs parks and recreation.

So, a few tweaks were in order during the planning of the second and upcoming Jamboreeka, which will be held from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Lake Leatherwood City Park Municipal Ballfields.

“We’re going to have five food vendors as opposed to four,” Dudley said. “Plus, we’re changing a few things that I think will help.”

Dudley said he’s excited to celebrate our nation’s birthday – which happens to be Eureka Springs’ birthday, too – with locals and visitors at the park.

“It’s on a Thursday so I think a lot of people will be coming into town for a long weekend,” he said. “It’s a really good way to kick off the holiday weekend, and it’s good for locals. We’re trying to emphasize this as a locals event.

“Of course, everyone is welcome, but we’re trying to throw a party for those who make the community awesome.”

Live music will begin at 5 p.m. with Sprungbilly, which will play a little under two hours before The Cate Brothers take the stage.

“They’re both very entertaining and fun to listen to and watch,” Dudley said. “If you haven’t seen The Cate Brothers play live, it’s definitely a good opportunity for that.”

After The Cate Brothers, performers from Opera in the Ozarks will sing the National Anthem before the fireworks start around 9:15 p.m., Dudley said.

Events for the kids will include an obstacle course, slip and slide, and other water games. A dunking booth will also make a return with perhaps some known officials around the city taking their spot to be dunked between bands, he said.

“We will have certain members who I think will draw attention [in the dunking booth],” Dudley said.

With parking limitations at the ballfields, Dudley suggests attendees take advantage of free shuttle rides courtesy of Eureka Springs Transit.

“We’re really trying to promote the intown trolley rides,” he said of the service, which will pick up attendees from parking lots on Planer Hill and the transit office. “If you’re going to Jamboreeka it’s a free ride and you’ll stay away from all the hassles of parking and fighting for parking spots. The ballfields get full pretty quick.”

Dudley recommended that people bring camping chairs, blankets, water, sunglasses and sunscreen. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Raffle tickets will also be sold at the event and winners of many prizes from businesses around the city will be selected after the event. Items that will be given away include gift cards to many area businesses and restaurants, free tickets to experiences around the city, and an annual family membership to the Eureka Springs Community Center.

“I went around asking local businesses and individuals for donations and it was just amazing how many were willing to give items for the raffle,” Dudley said. “It just shows that we’ve got a great community of people who care.”

The fireworks, a joint expenditure of the city, parks department and city advertising and promotion commission, will kick off three days of celebrations in Carroll County. Jamboreeka first on Thursday, July 4; then a fireworks show in Holiday Island on Friday, July 5; and the popular Fire on the Mountain fireworks show in Berryville on Saturday, July 6.

“So we have backto- back-to-back fireworks displays,” Dudley said. “It’s a great way for us to kick off the holiday.”