Did Delaware's June Jam influence Firefly and Bonnaroo?
June Jam has been around so long that its old enough to run for president, something Bonnaroo and Firefly cant even say  at least not yet. Thats part of June Jams charm. Its a festival that attracts generations of jammers to Houston for a full day of live music and tasty festival fare  for a charitable cause. Proceeds from June Jam over the years have benefitted all sorts of causes, from helping people struggling with medical bills to supporting Toys for Tots. You can celebrate June Jams 43rd birthday on June 19. The soundtrack will feature country rockers Triple Rail Turn, which is by far, the most requested band to play the June Jam, per the festivals website. BikeFest is back:Kid Rock, George Thorogood and Brantley Gilbert coming to Ocean City  The full concert lineup offers Group Therapy (noon), Alicia Maxwell Project (1 p.m.), Chris Diller (2:15 p.m.), 440 Band (3:15 p.m.), The Jim Cochran Band (4:30 p.m.), Jason Morton and the Chesapeake Sons (5:30 p.m.), Storm Over Seattle (6:45 p.m.) and Triple Rail Turn (8 p.m.). This musical tale begins with former Firefly organizer Greg Bostrum (from 2011-2016), whos now the director of entertainment for the Minnesota Vikings. Greg said he modeled Firefly after an event in Tennessee called Bonnaroo, June Jam co-founder Bob Hartley said. Bonnaroo followed a festival at the same location called Itchycoo Park [in 1999]. It was started by a [Delaware] guy with a group of other people from Tennessee, and that gentleman was an event director for June Jam. His name is John Miller.  The rabbit hole deepens. When I went to Itchycoo Park, it was run exactly like June Jam, Hartley said. Its a little bit of a stretch to get from June Jam to Firefly. But a couple of stretches later, we have Firefly in Kent County.  Summer bucket list for Delaware: Don't miss these 15 experiences in 2021  Hartley said hes worked with Bostrum in the past to bring Firefly talent to June Jam. An example is the band The Heydaze, which headlined June Jam during Bostums final year with Firefly. June Jam turns 43 at the G&R Recreation Campground (4075 Gun and Rod Club Road, Houston) on June 19. Gates open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $35 (plus fees). For more information, visit junejam.com. Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.