Two days, twelve bands, more than 6,500 people plus a worthy cause equal a unique event called the Budweiser Duck Jam.
Ducks Unlimited and sponsors including Budweiser, Academy Sports, Ozarka Water, Volvo Rental and Global Event Group hosted the fourth annual Budweiser Duck Jam on Friday April 24 and Saturday, April 25. The event was held at the Wolf Pen Creek amphitheatre in College Station, Texas.
The Duck Jam serves as a DU fundraiser for the Aggieland Collegiate Chapter. Like other DU events, proceeds benefit DU conservation efforts and ticket prices include a membership. More than $50,000 dollars is expected to have been raised for waterfowl and wetland conservation at the Duck Jam.
The dedicated volunteers in the Texas A&M chapter and events such as the Duck Jam have allowed this chapter to uphold a reputation as the top college chapter in the U.S. for the last 5 years relative to total dollars raised.
This year Duck Jam was expanded to a two-day event and took on more of an expo feel with additional areas of entertainment. Daytime events were centered around a host of activities designed for family entertainment, including a dedicated kids stage with a Grammy-nominated headliner (Trout Fishing in America), Dock Dogs canine jumping competition, monster truck rides, a bass fishing exhibition trailer, a Texas Parks and Wildlife exhibition trailer and children’s style food vendors. Hands-on crafts, games and youth concession sales benefiting the Brazos Valley Children’s Museum were also available.
A youngster gets a close-up look at some largemouth bass.
Other activities during the two-day event included a Sportsman’s Night Out dinner and raffle, a sanctioned BBQ cook-off, horseshoe and washer tournaments and a crawfish boil complete with music by Dr. Zog Zydeco Swamp Band.
The 2009 music line-up included country legend Clay Walker, Kevin Fowler, Band of Heathens, Bad Company, South Austin Jug Band, Seth James, Brandon Rhyder, Brett Crenshaw, and Shawn Fussell.
My impressions are that the more than 6,500 attendees were thrilled, the bands and sponsors had a great time and the event was a resounding success.
I certainly enjoyed spending time with these dedicated young Texas volunteers. It was really great to see this generation so involved in the future of waterfowling and wetlands conservation and to see folks of all ages enjoying themselves in the name of the ducks.
Check Out:
More information on Budweiser Duck Jam
Duck Jam Video
Get involved with a College Chapter
Duck Jam 2008
More Pictures
A crowd of more then 6,500 attended the Duck Jam 2009.
Duck Jam 2009 was graced with perfect weather.
The Academy Sports portal leading to stage two and other festival activities.
Monster truck rides thrilled riders.
Dock Dogs Jumping Competition.
Texas Parks and Wildlife exhibition trailer.
Texas DU volunteer and BBQ judge Shawn deCento enjoys his duties.
A young fan takes batting practice during an intermission.
Kids stage headliner, Grammy-nominated, Trout Fishing in America sings about dinosaurs.
Kids having fun in the "Kids Zone."
The mobile crawfish stand keeps hungry festival goers satisfied.
The decoys were in the stage moat early awaiting the expected crowd.
Two young fans get the chance to sing a Bad Company classic hit with lead singer Brian Howe.