The last Saturday of July is Macon, Georgia's ultimate summer music festival where, rain or shine, over 40 bands take on multiple stages and put on unforgettable shows after another in one 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 40+ 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.

Other Bragg Jam signatures include the Moonlight Miles 5K Fun Run/Walk held this year on May 1, 2010. There is also the much-anticipated Bragg Jam Patron Party & Music Auction which kicks off the festival on its Friday eve.

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.

Planning is well underway for Bragg Jam 2010, slated for July 31. Check back often for updates as 44 acts have been announced to perform. 

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 much are tickets to the Bragg Jam Festival?

The Bragg Jam Festival's signature events are the Patron Party & Music Auction on Friday, July 30; Art @ the Park during the day of Saturday, July 31; and the Concert Crawl during the evening of Saturday, July 31. 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? 

Bragg Jam 2010's 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 $110,000 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 last year 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 Twitter @MuddyBrownBragg.

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. They are all ears for Bragg Jam 2011!

Bragg Jam Festival Inc. Board of Directors

• Andrew Blascovich (Treasurer), City of Macon
• Brad Evans (President), the 11th Hour
• Heather Evans, Santifa Aventis Pharmaceutical Company
• Meagan Evans, the 11th Hour
• Betsy Griffith, Armory Ballroom
• Wes Griffith (Vice President), Armory Ballroom
• David Higdon, Georgia Secretary of State
• Mechel McKinley, Bright Ideas Group
• Lisa McLendon (Secretary)
• Jessica Walden, College Hill Alliance
• Jamie Weatherford, Crown Candy Corporation
• David Wilson, Suntrust Bank