What is the Bluegrass Relief Fund?

The Bluegrass Relief Fund, Inc. is a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to placing financial and emotional support where it is needed within our local Bluegrass Music Community.  We are centered in southwestern Pennsylvania but cover the surrounding multi-state area. We are best known for our annual fundraising event, the January Ice Jam Bluegrass Festival, although we embrace any opportunity to raise money for the cause.

We are proud to be an all-volunteer organization with extremely low administrative costs (limited to necessary supplies and web hosting). All proceeds are distributed to those in need within our Bluegrass Music community.

We have helped members of our local Bluegrass Music Community who have suffered financial hardships, for example, due to injuries, illnesses, loss of employment and loss of a loved one.

What is the January Ice Jam?

The January Ice Jam is a free indoor bluegrass music festival that raises money for the Bluegrass Relief Fund, Inc., a charitable organization dedicated to placing financial and emotional support where it is needed within the local bluegrass music community.

The event is considered a hotel takeover, where bluegrass musicians and attendees from the multi-state area “takeover” the entire hotel.

The stage will start Friday night at 7 p.m. and music will continue until 10 p.m. On Saturday, music begins again at Noon and runs until 10 p.m. New bands take the stage every 30 minutes throughout the weekend to perform their favorite bluegrass music.

Although the event is free, money is raised through basket raffles, 50/50 raffles, instrument raffles, donations, and merchandise sales that benefit the Bluegrass Relief Fund. Over the past 25 years, the Fund has raised over $100,000 to help support countless friends of the bluegrass community. All musicians and event staff proudly volunteer their time and talents to ensure the event’s continued success.

To see details of the next Ice Jam go to the January Ice Jam tab above or click here.