MACON, Ga. — It's summertime and Macon's annual music festival Bragg Jam is only five days away.
Brandon Bish serves on the Bragg Jam committee. He's planning a few surprises to make their 21st year different from the others.
"You never know, you could be standing here having a beer, and a drum line comes down Cherry Street," said Bish.
Bragg Jam, now a two-day music crawl, started 21 years ago as a jam session for local musicians to honor brothers Brax and Tate Bragg. The brothers were killed on a road trip.
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"Anderson East, Muscadine Bloodline, All Get Out, and America Aquarium are big bands that people all across Georgia know," said Bish.
Jeremy Smith, co-owner of Reboot Retrocade and Bar, says he's offering a new way to listen to music by hosting a silent disco in the alley outside of his bar.
People get to decide what they want to listen to with silent disco by putting on their own headphones and picking the station they want to tune in to. While you might be listening to a different song than your friends, you're still hanging out in the same space.
"It's another outlet for entertainers in Macon to have a venue to play in without the act of having live music excluding people from that space. Variety is one of the best things about Bragg Jam," Smith said.
On Saturday night, Bragg Jam will host their first drag show at club Late Nite led by drag queen Erica Chanel from Charlotte.
There won't be food trucks this year, but instead the festival partnered with local restaurants to offer deals for concert goers.
"Even though there might not be a particular band that might not be everyone's cup of tea, there is going to be live music, there's going to be a lot of people coming downtown and laughing and having a good time," said Bish.
Bish says they're trying to offer more variety to please everyone. He says they'll continue to grow the music crawl for years to come.
FOOD DEALS:
Bearfoot Tavern | 468 2nd Street
Corndogs, To-Go only
Kitchen closes @ 11 p.m.
Cashman’s Pub | 370 Cherry Street
Come on in for live music (no cover or Bragg Jam tickets necessary), great food and drinks.
Full menu 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Limited Late Night Menu (Wings + Fries) until 2 a.m. both nights.
Doughboy Pizza | 518 Cherry Street
6-piece wings ($7.95). After 10 p.m.: $3 Pepperoni + Cheese Slices and $15 whole pizzas
Famous Mike’s | 524 Poplar Street
– Philly Wrap $8
– Hamburger $5
– Cheeseburger $6
– Hotdog $2.50
– Cinnamon Roll $2
Open from the time music starts, cash only
Just Tap’d | 488 1st Street
– Quick Bites: Bavarian soft pretzels, house-made hummus, Neapolitan pizzas
Kitchen open from 12PM – 11PM. Bar closes at 12AM
Kudzu Seafood Company | 512 Poplar Street
Shrimp Cocktail ($8), Muffaletta Sandwich with Kudzu Chips ($8), Kudzu Skins (pork skins) ($2)
Saturday only, available until 10 p.m. or until we run out!
La Bella Morelia | 524 Mulberry Street
Check out their taco special.
Open until midnight.
Ocmulgee Brewpub | 484 2nd Street
– Minute of Your Time is our Bragg Jam Beer. It’s a kolsch style. We donate $0.50 back to Bragg Jam for every pint sold.
– We will have a one day only Bragg Jam burger. In-house ground beer burger w/red pepper jam, bleu cheese & fried mushrooms, served with fries ($12)
– Quick Bites: Fried pork skins, Wisconsin cheese curds, truffle fries with house-made dipping sauces
Kitchen/Bar is open from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Oliver’s Corner Bistro | 496 Second Street
– Chicken Salad Croissant + Lettuce and Tomatoes
– Italian Sausage Hoagie + Peppers, Onions, and Spicy Mustard
$10/plate, comes with house chips
Spud Dogs | 490 Cherry Street
Any Two Classic Dogs with Side & Drink ($8)
Extended hours Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Your Pie | 536 Poplar Street
Pizza, panini, or salad, and fountain drink ($10). All beers $3.
ZBeans | 311 Cotton Avenue
Pastries and 16 oz drink combo ($5)
Friday until 11 p.m., Saturday until 12 a.m.