Larry Ubben named Ogle County Community Champion

It’s a safe bet that Larry Ubben is better known in Mt. Morris than the Village president. Or the police chief. Or the Village board members. Combined.

Larry hosts the Mt. Morris Jamboree, the free Friday night concert series, and is a familiar face—and voice—around town.
There’s no missing Larry as he greets and revs up the crowd before, during intermission, and after each concert with shout-outs to the food vendors and Farmer’s Market vendors, as well as Jam sponsors, and sometimes just familiar faces in the crowd. Larry is affable and easy-going, and a dedicated lifelong musician who plays in two bands. He has been active in community planning groups and projects for years, and thanks to a smooth “announcer’s” voice, is often asked to provide commentary for community events such as the July 4th parade. You can also catch him in Performing Arts Guild shows and as a co-host in the summer Oddcast Podcast series with Jeff Bold.

But Larry is best known for almost single-handedly founding and running the Mt. Morris Jamboree concert series. That dedication was recognized on December 11, 2025, when he received the 2025 Community Champion of Ogle County award at the Excalibur and Excelsior awards ceremony in Rockford. He joined Community Champion recipients from Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties in being recognized for outstanding service and dedication to their communities. They were named alongside winners of the 2025 Excalibur and Excelsior awards, presented by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois in partnership with the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Rockford Register Star.

Inspired by the historic Kable Concert Band’s then 115-year tradition of weekly free performances, Larry proposed the Jamboree idea to the Village in 2011. They agreed to help fund the Friday night concerts, which are also supported by private donations and grants. As a result, the concerts have brought thousands of visitors to our town.

Each week over the summer, the Jamboree spotlights regional and national bands playing classic rock, blues, bluegrass, and eclectic jazz on the Warren G. Reckmeyer bandshell on our historic campus square. The concerts have grown from a few hundred fans per week to a record-setting crowd of 2,500 from throughout northern Illinois—nearly matching our population of 2,900.

In addition to managing the bands, Larry seeks financial support and oversees the annual operating budget, coordinates a rotating schedule of local nonprofits that sell food to raise funds, organizes food trucks, and oversees the Farmer’s Market during the weekly performances. Bolstered by visitors to the historical museum and Encore Art Gallery, the crowds spill into the streets, creating a festive, street party vibe.

Larry gave a modest and gracious acceptance speech at the award ceremony, generously thanking nominator Sally Gray and supporters such as the Village, Kable Concert Band, local businesses and nonprofits, and the Encore Mt. Morris arts committee (whose representatives joined him onstage). Seizing the opportunity, he wrapped up by promoting his “Friday Night Blues” program on WNIJ radio, which drew laughter and applause.

Mt. Morris has many good people doing good things. And Larry would be the first to tell you, “I’m not worthy.” But this is well-deserved recognition for someone whose work has been praised for cultivating a sense of community, encouraging tourism, supporting local nonprofits and businesses, and helping to further the Encore Mt. Morris mission to establish the town as a regional arts destination.

Congratulations, Larry. And thank you.

*photo credit: Rockford Register Star