To provide access to Bluegrass music to the people of Fayette county

The Southland Jamboree exists to promote and present Bluegrass Music, which began in Kentucky. The
Jamboree was created by the Southland Association as free outdoor Bluegrass music concert series held on
Southland Drive in Lexington, KY. LFUCG Parks and Recreation was an equal partner in presenting the
Jamboree. At the end of the 2014 season, the Jamboree lost its home on Southland Drive due to the
expansion of the Collins Bowling Center. The Southland Jamboree was generously offered the use of the
Moondance Amphitheater by Lexington Parks and Recreation. Concerts were funded by sponsorships and
grants from area businesses and government. In 2018, the concerts were canceled due to a lack of sufficient
funding. After an outpouring of Support, the Southland Jamboree started a GoFundMe to save the event. The
fundraising efforts raised over $6,000, and the Southland Jamboree was able to do a partial season in 2018.
New volunteers stepped up to lead the Southland Jamboree. In 2018, the Southland Jamboree Association,
Inc. was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is now a separate entity from the Southland
Association. In 2020, the Jamboree only held one special concert event with two bands due to COVID. In
2021, a partial schedule was held due to COVID restrictions and the availability of the Moondance
Amphitheater. In 2022, the Jamboree was back with a full concert series. The Southland Jamboree is
conducting its 21th season in 2026 and will continue to bring in the best local, regional, and national Bluegrass
bands for free concerts in Lexington, KY.

• Performing Arts

Southland Jamboree Association requests $5,000 to support the Bluegrass Summer Concert Series presented in conjunction with the LFUCG Parks and Recreation.

The Southland Jamboree is the only free Bluegrass Music concert series in the area. Our concert series brings in attendees from all over Central Kentucky who enjoy Bluegrass Music. Our family and pet-friendly events have food trucks to serve guests, which brings in the local neighbors and guests at nearby hotels and exposes them to Bluegrass Music. Kentucky is the birthplace of Bluegrass Music, but there are not enough Bluegrass concerts in the Lexington area (especially free events), and the Southland Jamboree fills that void.

The Jamboree hosts local, regional, and occasionally nationally known bands representing traditional and progressive Bluegrass. Bluegrass music is known for its impressive instrumental solos, which can appeal to music lovers who appreciate technical skill and musicianship. Bluegrass music often tells stories about love, faith, loss, hardship, and hope, which can resonate with people from all walks of life. The bands on our stage feature musicians of all ages many of whom have been involved in music for their whole lives. The typical Southland Jamboree audience is made up of people of all ages, from small children who love to dance to music to retirees who enjoy getting outside to enjoy a night of music at a wonderful amphitheater. Audience members can purchase food, desserts, and drinks from vendors or bring food and have a family picnic. The shows are held each Thursday evening from 7:00 pm to approximately 8:30 from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Moondance Amphitheater in Lexington. Average attendance is between 300-600 people.

Past support from LexArts has been exceedingly beneficial to the Jamboree as we continue to provide a free concert series that people have come to know and love over the last twenty-one years.

The Southland Jamboree has the overall benefit of providing free live music to Lexington. By providing a family-friendly activity, there is community building as diverse people are brought together. The live performances keep traditional bluegrass music alive passing it on to younger generations. The concerts have educational value in exposing people to different music styles and instruments, potentially inspiring them to learn more about music and even pick up an instrument themselves. Bluegrass jams are often held after the concerts where local budding, amateur, and experienced musicians play together. Live music has been shown to have positive emotional and mental health benefits.

There is an economic benefit to the community as the Jamboree supports local musicians, food truck vendors, and surrounding merchants. Overall, a vibrant arts scene, including live music, can make a community more attractive to businesses and residents, leading to growth and development.

Southland Jamboree employs a strategic communications approach to promote its programs, engage audiences, and build its brand. Using diverse channels, marketing, and partnerships, it ensures bluegrass music reaches both loyal and new audiences.

Information is shared via social media, with regular updates and artist interviews. An updated website, and traditional media like TV, radio and flyers enhance outreach.

Branding efforts include cohesive graphics, merchandise, and storytelling to deepen audience connections. Targeted ads and diverse artists help reach niche audiences.

Key partnerships with media, tourism boards, and Lexington organizations amplity exposure. Sponsorships and cross-promotions with businesses further extend the Jamboree's reach, ensuring continued growth.

While bluegrass music holds a certain charm for many, community-sponsored concerts tend to draw in a diverse audience for various reasons. Our core audience is bluegrass enthusiasts, local music lovers, and community-minded individuals who appreciate the opportunity to connect with neighbors and support local initiatives.

Our bluegrass concerts are family-friendly and accessible, offering an enjoyable activity for parents and children. Open spaces for dancing and a welcoming atmosphere with food vendors attract families looking for outdoor entertainment. We also draw local visitors from the surrounding hotels exploring the area for diversions.

Southland Jamboree fosters diversity by engaging a broad range of artists and ensuring bluegrass music remains accessible to all. Showcasing both traditional and progressive musicians, it honors the genre's roots while embracing its evolution. Featuring artists with diverse influences expands its reach and preserves traditions.

Southland Jamboree hosts a children's music camp teaching bluegrass music instruments and music to kids in the central and eastern Kentucky area. This is exposures children to music taught by professional musicians increasing appreciation and their appetite for the genre.

With support from Lexington Parks and Recreation and the Lexington Public Library, concerts are held in family-friendly accessible spaces. Free shows remove financial barriers, ensuring broad access. Post-concert jams foster collaboration among musicians of all backgrounds.

By celebrating diversity and accessibility, the Jamboree keeps this American genre thriving and inclusive.

Southland Jamboree has several local partners. Lexington Parks and Recreation is our partner for the Jamboree's summer season, providing our organization with free use of the city's Moondance Amphitheater. Similarly, the Lexington Public Library sponsors a monthly winter series of bluegrass concerts in the Farish Theater at the Central Library in downtown Lexington. We have received grant funding in the past from the Kentucky Arts Council.

Additionally, we have received support from Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Council through heir discretionary funds, grants from the LG&E & KU foundation, and sponsorships from local businesses each year. The Jamboree also partners with the Tahlsound concert series on Southland Drive promoting both music series, including Tahlsound's May show which features Bluegrass bands.

At the heart of our project lies a passionate mission: to ignite a love for Bluegrass music, Kentucky's own cultural treasure, and establish it as a part of central Kentucky's music scene. The project's goal is to promote and provide education about Bluegrass music. This is done by promoting our concert series through social media presence, television appearances, and print media. Promoting and education drives our mission of strengthening the reach of Bluegrass music in central Kentucky. Live music is a unique experience in people's lives. The project goal and the mission of the organization are indistinguishable.

Our multi-pronged approach includes:
Informal Audience Polls: We'll utilize polling the audience from the stage to gather data, including:
• Total number of attendees, youth and adult demographics, and racial/ethnic representation.
• Effectiveness of different marketing channels in reaching specific audience segments (general and targeted).
• Overall experience with the performance, venue, and atmosphere.
• Volunteer Insights: Our dedicated volunteers are our eyes and ears. We'll conduct interviews to assess crowd
engagement, logistical efficiency, and overall event flow.
• Artist Echoes: A post-performance interview with our artists captures their experience, from stage setup and
sound quality to audience reception.
• Financial Report: A detailed report of revenue and expenses.
• Geographic Reach: We'll calculate attendance from different counties from our polling, showcasing the
event's impact beyond Lexington's borders.