Veteran Montréal blues master Dwane Dixon will headline a lineup of six musical acts at the 2025 Champlain Charity Jamboree, outdoors under the big tent at the Windsor Tavern on Saturday, July 5, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The 14th edition of the annual charity jamboree will be aiming to raise funds for a new Auto Pulse Resuscitation System for the Emergency Department of the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH). Scotiabank is the main sponsor of the 2025 edition of the Champlain Charity Jamboree, and dozens of other major and minor sponsors are also supporting the event.
“This is an extremely important cause,” said Richard Charest, one of the main event organizers, noting the new resuscitation system will improve emergency care for local patients – particularly those suffering from heart and lung conditions. “This unit is something the hospital really needs.”
A full lineup of accomplished musicians will perform at the 2025 Jamboree.
Headliner Dwane Dixon, who will close the show from 9:30-11 p.m., is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and music entrepreneur with four self-produced, all-original blues albums to his credit. Dixon is a true ambassador for the blues rock of the late 1960s and 70s. He pours body and soul into the genre, drawing influences from Jimi Hendrix, Billy Gibbons and Jimmy Page at the height of their powers.
Co-headliners Madhouse will play from 8-9:15 p.m. The local classic rock band has proved extremely popular at past jamborees, headlining the event twice.
Vankleek Hill’s 50 PROOF hits the stage from 6:45-7:45 p.m. The popular local group will be playing a mix of rock and country music for the event.
Marie-Eve Vézina and Michel Fioré will celebrate Champlain’s bilingual heritage, performing songs in both French and English during their set from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Vézina will also perform with Yvon Leroux as ‘Uncharted’ at the event after party inside the Windsor Tavern from 11 p.m. until closing.
Gates for the Champlain Charity Jamboree open at 2 p.m. on July 5, and Hawkesbury rock/blues trio Zeerocks will kick off the show from 3-4 p.m. The Good Time Rock ‘n Roll Party Dance Band will then play a mix of country and old time rock and roll from 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Food is available on site all day.
In addition to raising funds, the annual charity jamboree has also served as a major social event in Vankleek Hill for more than a decade.
“One of the missions from the beginning was for the jamboree to be a social event,” Charest said. “It’s always been a place for people from the whole area to get together – a ‘meet your neighbour’ event.”
Tickets for the 2025 Champlain Charity Jamboree can be purchased from the Hawkesbury General Hospital Foundation, Scotiabank in Vankleek Hill, Jade Garden, The Windsor Tavern, and The Review offices.
Major sponsors for the 2025 Champlain Charity Jamboree are: the Scotiabank Community Program; Exit Realty Sarah Bigelow: Hawkesbury Toyota: Maylan Group; Proudfoot Manulife Securities; Explornet; Howes Farm Equipment; McCormick Veterinarian; Assured Hawkesbury; Aquasan; Foam Geometrix Inc; Molson Brewery; Metec; Hillcrest Funeral Home; Dunrobin Distilleries; and the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society.
The poster for the 2025 Champlain Charity Jamboree, which will take place on July 5.
