Bean Blossom Jamboree Foundation

Bean Blossom, IN — Below is the latest information we’ve received regarding the Bean Blossom Jamboree Foundation’s efforts to purchase the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground.

The Foundation’s goal is to secure enough monetary resources to purchase the park and campground from its current owner, Dwight Dillman, in an effort to ensure the park’s future as a music venue and to carry on Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival and a host of other bluegrass related festivals and events for future generations.

You can sign up on the Foundation’s web site to receive these updates in your mailbox.

About the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground

“The historic music park boasts over 55 years of music and is the home of the Brown County Jamboree, the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Musem, and Bill Monroe’s world famous Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. Known as the Mecca of Bluegrass, the Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground hosts the oldest, continuous running bluegrass festival in the world.”

“In June, 1967, at the insistence of promoter Carlton Haney, Bill Monroe held his first two-day bluegrass festival, which he called a Blue Grass Celebration, at Bean Blossom. He brought his musician friends together to play the high lonesome sound he had pioneered. This first festival was held in the Brown County Jamboree Barn and was so well attended that Bill decided to have it annually and to build an outdoor stage to accommodate a bigger audience. In June of 1968, people from all over the country came to hear the Father of Bluegrass and his legendary Blue Grass Boys perform, as well as other top name bluegrass artists and Grand Ole Opry stars.”BeanBlossom.com

From the Bean Blossom Jamboree Foundation

It’s hard to believe that another year has arrived and that we are in 2009! About this time in 2008 we began our discussions on forming the Bean Blossom Jamboree Foundation and successfully launched our efforts in May of 2008. We have had many reasons to celebrate our success in 2008, especially the success of nearly $25,000.00 in funds that were pledged in June at the annual Summer Festival. Just prior to the Uncle Pen Days Festival in September, we officially received our Not for Profit 501 (c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service. By the end of 2008 we had pledged support of just under $45,000 in merchandise sales, direct donations, and in-kind services. That was incredible given the current economy!

As we embark on our goals for 2009, we need to remember that our goal for 2008 was raising awareness. The money we raised in 2008 would not have served us well without the publicity and campaign efforts that occured. The investment of your dollars in 2008 was succesful, as people all over the world know about the BBJF! Just ask Shigo Nidea of Japan who recently donated $5000.00 to our efforts. Thank you very much for your support in 2008! We wouldn’t be where we are today without your efforts.

For 2009 we are committed to putting 100% of all raised dollars toward purchase of the music park by building on our 2008 efforts and hard work. We are using remaining 2008 funds to hire grant writers and researchers to explore alternative funding sources for our efforts. Your dollars are being used wisely to help raise awareness and garner more funds to help us purchase, preserve, and ultimately maintain in perpetuity the events that occur at the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground.

I ask that you consider matching your 2008 Donation in 2009. Donor levels will be essentially the same for 2009 as in 2008. If you visit our website at www.bbjfoundation.org, you can make a secure donation. Please consider supporting our cause for 2009! We need your help.

More information will be coming to you soon, including the 2008 Annual Report. If you still support our mission, vision, and goals, we need you to make this a reality.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish everyone the best for 2009 and we look forward to seeing you in June for the Festival!

Sincerely,

Steve Johnson MBA, MHS-CL
Board of Directors
Bean Blossom Jamboree Foundation Inc.
5163 North State Road 135
Morgantown, Indiana 46160
www.bbjfoundation.org
1-877-989-BBJF