By Kellie Ritchie | For The Times-Post

My first June Jamboree was in 2002.

I was fairly new to town and was walking around with an infant in a stroller.

The excitement was contagious, and I had a great time just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Every year since then has had me in a ticket booth for a night or two for the Lions.

I have had the fun of squeezing into the kiddie rides with my kiddos, watching them go on a ride “all by themselves” and then, as teenagers, giving them some tickets and never seeing them the whole night.

It must have caused them some work avoiding “Mom” as they circled around in an opposite direction.

Now my kiddos are young adults, and I still can’t wait to go and watch other parents do the same.

My oldest is on a school trip to Europe and she is missing June Jam this year for the first time.

It is the only thing about her pending trip she is unhappy about.

I will be there, of course.

I still love watching the crowds and soaking up the atmosphere.

I hope to see you there.

Kellie Ritchie is a member of the Pendleton Lions Club.