Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1184232
J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 7 3 "While a race down a hill doesn't naturally pair with a music festival, the two have one thing in common: do good stuff for where we live and be awesome." -KORYN YOUNG M OST MIDDLE GEORGIA FOLKS know Bragg Jam for its concert crawl, which brings thousands of people to see a smorgasbord of incredible live music in downtown Macon. Some also know the story of Tate and Brax Bragg, the brothers for whom the festival is named, who both tragically lost their lives in a car accident in 1999. But few know the deeper connections the nonprofit organization that is Bragg Jam has with the Macon community, and how important giving back is for the volunteer board who run the festival and all its other community events, like the free monthly Second Sunday concerts. "Second Sunday began as a placemaking initiative of the College Hill Corridor project in 2009 as an opportunity to bring the community together and revive a rich tradition of musicians offering free performances in Macon's public parks," said J.R. Olive, Bragg Jam's entertainment chair. "e concert series quickly grew in attendance and caliber of talent with acts such as Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Clarence Carter and Percy Sledge taking the stage. Bragg Jam took over production of Second Sunday in 2015 and continues to grow the beloved community tradition today." Bragg Jam also acts as the umbrella organization for events like Magnolia Soap Box Derby. "ere was a time when the Magnolia Soap Box Derby was by definition, grassroots. Bragg Jam started grassroots and blossomed into a more solid event with a strong innate community force that is undeniable," said Koryn Young, former Bragg Jam vice president and Magnolia Soap Box Derby committee member. "I will always be grateful that Bragg Jam and Everett Verner saw the need in housing the Magnolia Soap Box Derby within the 501c3. "You cannot teach enthusiasm, and both boards emulate a strong sense of community and positive vibes within the community. While a race down a hill doesn't naturally pair with a music festival, the two have one thing in common: do good stuff for where we live and be awesome." e derby, much like Second Sunday, started as a community event created by a group of local individuals with a vision for a fun, vibrant downtown. "This event is now a sustainable annual event because of the help of Bragg Jam, its board of directors, and the resources and support provided by the Macon community," said Kaitlynn Kressin, VIP chair of Bragg Jam and Magnolia Soap Box Derby committee member. Current of connection e festival has had especially strong ties with the Ocmulgee River and the public spaces that have blossomed around it, including Amerson River Park, where the Bragg Jam Canoe Take Out now resides. "e partnership with the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail goes back to the inception of Bragg Jam. Bringing people together for music and increasing the usability of the river were important ways to honor the Bragg brothers' love of both. For many years, 100 percent of the proceeds went to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, and the canoe launch is consistent with that original concept," said Brian Adams, past