PHOTOS: Richmond Bluegrass Jam honors veterans for 14th year
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond Bluegrass Jam returns for its 14th annual event in Chesterfield County on Saturday, raising money for military veterans and their families.
The event is held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the American Legion Post 354 in Midlothian, supporting military veterans and their families through the Richmond Fisher House and Liberation Veteran Services.
The Richmond Fisher House provides lodging for recovering veterans at the VA Medical Center and Liberation Veteran Services offers shelter and skill training for veterans in crisis.
Phillip Gravely, who has been a part of this event for the last 14 years, said that, since they began hosting this event, they have raised nearly $300,000, for those two organizations.
"It is a coming together of what is a really great community of musicians who like bluegrass and Americana music, so it's just a chance for us who go to come together," he said. "But more importantly, we do [this] to raise money to help our veterans. A lot of us weren't veterans ourselves, but this is one of the ways that we feel is important to be able to give back to that community, to say thank you for everything they've done for us."
Along with an open jam session, the bluegrass jam featured a family activities area with games and challenges for the younger bluegrass fans and local breweries. It is featuring 19 bands across three stages, including Shadows Bluegrass Band, Whiskey Banjo Foxtrot, The Slack Family and Riverside Band.
"It's going to be filled with community," Gravely added. "It's going to be filled with good music, and at the end of the day, going to have helped veterans and their families."
Continue scrolling to see photos from the Bluegrass Jam.
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
The Richmond Bluegrass Jam held on Saturday, May 3, raised money for military veterans and their families. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)
