The last Saturday of July is Macon, Georgia's ultimate summer music festival where, rain or shine, 36 bands take on 9 stages and put on one unforgettable shows after another in a jam-packed, rock, blues and soul-infused night.

But the Bragg Jam Festival isn't just for live-music lovin' night owls. During the day, Bragg Jam's Arts @ the Park hosts a free daytime event where families are invited to create, perform and play in the heart of the city. The event features art, food and beverage vendors, live music and community performances and nature-oriented activities.

As the sun goes down, Bragg Jam's signature Concert Crawl is already geared up, featuring 36 live music performances at a variety of Macon hotspots, with free trolley service throughout the night. In addition to bars, there are all-ages performance venues that are smoke-free and family friendly. Admission to the Concert Crawl is $20 for an armband that gets you into each venue. Armbands are not pre-sold but available for purchase at any of the participating venues during the Concert Crawl.

In 2009, the Bragg Jam Festival donated a portion of this year's net proceeds to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, the Cox Capitol Theatre and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame's M.I.K.E. (Music in Kids Education) program. Inspired by late musicians and brothers Brax & Tate Bragg and operated as a 501(c)3 under a volunteer board of directors, the festival has contributed over $110,00 of its net proceeds to charitable organizations.

In 2008, NewTown Macon awarded Bragg Jam with the Partners in Progress Award for "Creating a Sense of Place," which declared, "Bragg Jam helps NewTown's goal of creating a vibrant, youthful downtown community. Macon and music are synonymous, and NewTown's focus through branding and events is to highlight this connection. No downtown event has done this more successfully than Bragg Jam."

In 2010, Bragg Jam organizers launched a sister "Music + BBQ" festival, Macon's Fly South Festival, as well as "Bragg Jam presents" quarterly local live music concerts. Recently, Central Georgia voted and awarded Bragg Jam the "Best Community Event" at the 11th Hour Readers' Choice Awards.

History of the Festival:

During the summer of 1999, Macon singer/songwriter Brax Bragg was on the brink of something big. He had just recorded a CD with his new band the Buckleys, and they were scheduled to set out on tour. But before hitting the highway with his band, Brax took his baby brother Tate, an accomplished classical guitarist, on a cross-country road trip. While traveling through Texas on July 3, the brothers' lives were tragically cut short by a car accident.

Back in Macon, friends were reeling at the news of the brothers' tragic deaths. Russell Walker, a friend of the family and fellow musician, organized an impromptu jam session of local musicians to celebrate and honor the Bragg brothers' talented lives. The healing power of music began to perpetuate, and a year later, the jam session resumed. "Bragg Jam" had officially been born. By 2003, it was expanded into a city-wide music festival. Two years later, it was incorporated as as a non-profit with a board of directors. Today, Bragg Jam has evolved into a full-scaled community arts festival and Macon's premier music event.

What began as an untimely tragedy has found a way to give back to the Macon community. Money raised from Bragg Jam is donated to the Macon's Ocmulgee Heritage Trail in Brax and Tate Bragg's honor. And the same group of musicians who got together to play in their friend's honor continue to remain the roots of the festival at the annual "Friends of Brax" Bragg Jam performance at downtown Macon's Rookery.

About Macon

The Bragg Jam Festival takes place in Macon, Georgia, less than 90 miles south of Atlanta, located in the heart of the state. Macon's music heritage harkens back to the flute music of the Creeks and later poet Sidney Lanier, but the town also served as the launch pad for ground-breaking legends such as Little Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band and the birthplace of Capricorn Records.

Today, Macon is home to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the future site of the Allman Brothers Band Museum, in addition to a host of other cultural and well-recognized attractions. To plan your visit to Macon, visit the website of the Macon-Bibb Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.visitmacon.org.

FAQ's

How do I play Bragg Jam?

Ahh . . . the million dollar question. We're trying to shake it up as much as possible and introduce new acts as well as highlight the bands keeping Macon music alive and live in our local music scene. Our advice is to get in early. Send a demo, either old fashion hard copies or epk on CD to our PO Box found on the Contact Us page. We've got a committee who's job it is to select the music. We have selected all bands for the Concert Crawl 2011. Please do not submit any more entries. To be considered for Bragg Jam Festival 2012, please contact us from November 2011 through January 2012. Please follow our submission policy and do not e-mail us since we are an all volunteer group and do not have time to answer each e-mail. We will only accept solicitations via the PO Box that are reviewed by a committee.  

How much are tickets to the Bragg Jam Festival?

The Bragg Jam Festival's signature events are the Patron Party & Music Auction on Friday's Bragg Jam Eve; Arts @ the Park during the day; and the Concert Crawl during the evening. The Patrons' Party is reserved for sponsors who donate $100 or more to Bragg Jam. There are a limited number of tickets sold to the public for the party's concert. Arts @ the Park is a free community event. The Concert Crawl is $20. We don't pre-sell tickets - admission is the official Bragg Jam armband, sold the evening of the event at any of Bragg Jam's official venues at the door.

Can I have an open container in between Bragg Jam venues?

Bragg Jam Festival, Inc. is in the process of applying for special event permitting that will allow open containers in a designated area of downtown Macon, outside the official venues. The rules are the same for Macon's First Friday - official cups, legal drinkers and mad respect for the law who is lifting the rules for a special occasion. As long as our application is accepted, we'll do it this year like we did in 2009.

What is the trolley system?

Bragg Jam Concert Crawlers have the opportunity to jump on a trolley and get a free ride to various venues. There will be two trolleys the night of Bragg Jam 2010. One is routed from the Shamrock to downtown. The other is routed from the Mellow Mushroom, Rivalry's and downtown. We hear the trolley rides are sometimes as legendary as the live music.

Is the Concert Crawl family-friendly? 

Since 2010, the Bragg Jam Concert Crawl features more all-ages venues than ever before. You don't always have to hire a baby-sitter. In fact, it's good for some of you parents to bring your kids along to see what live music in Macon is all about. With that said, there will be adult beverages at every venue, and we can't always control what the artists will do or say. Still, that's the beauty of Bragg Jam. It's chaos, but it's community.

What about cigarette smoke?

This year's Bragg Jam has more smoke-free venues than ever before - six to be exact. But those who do smoke, no need to fear, you're still welcome at the bars where cigs are the norm. Just check the Concert Crawl schedule for the low-down.

Where do I get one of those fashionable and sure-to-be collectible Bragg Jam t-shirts?

Bragg Jam issues a new t-shirt every year. If you're hanging around Macon, some lucky bartenders and local restaurant workers get them early. If you're a "Friend of Bragg" sponsor at $100 or above, you have it hand-delivered. If you just happen to be at the festival, we have them for sale at several venues. Also check the table at the free Arts & the Park event the day of the festival. If you forget in the Bragg Jam chaos, contact us via our website or Facebook and we'll see what we can do.

Where does the Bragg Jam money go?

We're an official 501c3 non-profit organization. So our money goes to a good cause so our entire community can benefit. This year we're donating it all to our charity mainstay, the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. The donation is always given in honor of Brax and Tate Bragg on behalf of the Bragg family's request. Bragg Jam has donated over $150,000 to this centerpiece of Macon that continues to expand.

Who the heck is that ugly but lovable character Muddy Brown?

Muddy Brown is Bragg Jam's best friend. The swamp ape was spotted a few years ago coming out of the swamp along Central City Park. We call him Muddy Brown because he likes to get down and boogie at Bragg Jam from here on out. Don't let his ugly mug fool you, he's a good Swamp Ape with a heart of gold. Follow him on Facebook book and Twitter @MuddyBrownBragg.

Bragg Jam Festival Inc. Board of Directors

• Brian Adams
• Melissa Bearden
• Andrew Blascovich (President)
• Russ Campbell
• Mikie Della Donna (Treasurer)
• Harold Goodridge
• David Higdon
• Christi Horne (Secretary)
• Mechel McKinley
• Everett Verner
• Jessica Walden
• Jamie Weatherford
• David Wilson (Vice-President)