LIVE OAK — The 2018 Suwannee River Jam, the South’s Camping and Music Festival, held at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is now in the history books of festivals.

Headline artist Alan Jackson made Saturday night the best yet with his performance and thousands of fans crowded onto the SRJ field.

An estimated 25,000 fans attended during the four-day event. On Saturday, country music fans stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the Jam Field as Jackson, recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, took the stage and brought absolute musical joy to everyone in hearing distance. Other artists Saturday on the Main Stage were Easton Corbin, Rodney Atkins and a very moving Armed Forces Tribute earlier in the afternoon on the Main Stage. The Kentucky Head Hunters closed the 1st Street Music Stage across from the Jam Field after Alan Jackson’s performance.

Saturday was opened by Katie Ondrejicka on the 1st Street Stage followed by a host of extremely talented solo and duo acts and three bands. In the Music Hall Saturday night closing out the 2018 edition of the SRJ was Sondra Hunt and her band.

Saturday was the culmination of four days of the revered Jam, which has brought together thousands upon thousands of country fans over the years for this annual festival. These fans have become friends with many they met along the way and often camp in the same areas each year to reunite their friendships at the SRJ. The fields and tree-shaded camping areas on the banks of the famous Suwannee River was filled with campers, fifth wheels, motor homes and tent campers ready to jam.

Every cabin in the SOSMP was filled and golf carts were everywhere as folks cruised the beautiful property visiting, sight-seeing and enjoying time each day to do nothing if they pleased before the shows began.

The SRJ opened Wednesday, May 2, in the Music Hall with a host of fantastic country artists, most who won their way to the SRJ through auditions and a final audition held recently. Of those opening, one, Lyndie Burris, had already spent years in Nashville. Two, Austin Harden and Cliff Dorsey, are headed that way within days to make their mark in country music. SoulShine Band closed out the first day.

Thursday’s terrific day included Bryan James with Al Enzian opening the 1st Street Music Stage followed by The Lacs, who then held a CD Release Party in the Music Hall. Texas country artist Cody Johnson and Nashville artist Tyler Farr blew the audience away with their performances

on this stage while Andy Pursell and his band closed the Music Hall Stage that evening.

Friday was huge as fans continued to pour into the SOSMP. Abigail Carpenter opened the 1st Street Music Stage Friday, Julia Cole closed it at the end of the day. On the Main Stage, Pam Tillis brought a tremendous performance Friday followed by Josh Turner and the dynamic LOCASH, always a fan favorite at the SOSMP. Ricky Valido closed the night later in the Music Hall where the dance floor was the place to be.

Tickets are already on sale for next year’s Suwannee River Jam at www.musicliveshere.com or by emailing spirit@musicliveshere.com. The 2019 SRJ will be held May 1-4.