Annual The Ramble music festival is happening Saturday - what to know if you go

In the past decade, Boston-based folk rock band Adam Ezra Group has raised over $360,000 for the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV).

Adam Ezra, his band mates, and several of their friends have not only dedicated their lives to creating music, but also to bringing people together through music to build a community that focuses on helping others. The group and several others that know Ezra have established RallySound, a grassroots organization that plans events to fundraise for dozens of organizations.

In 2009, RallySound with the collaboration of the Adam Ezra Group, planned a day-long music festival named The Ramble that raised money for different charities. In the fourth year of The Ramble, the group picked NECHV as their charity, and the annual music festival has been raising money for the organization ever since.

About New England Center and Home for Veterans

"We want to figure out a way to bring our community together for a cause, so we can do a little good in this world." Ezra said. "It's really inspiring to be a part of this community and it's also an incredible thing to be a part of."

NECHV is a private organization that focuses on helping the most vulnerable veterans all across the state with behavioral health services and transitioning into living independently following military service.

NECHV President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew McCawley said every year since The Ramble organizers reached out to them about the fundraising festival the amount of donation money increases.

McCawley said the money raised from The Ramble music festival gives them a lot of flexibility and they wouldn't be able to provide certain services without it. He said over 30% of veterans they help are from other states.

"Tangible money resourses are important but the message that comes from The Ramble music festival is also important," he said. "The message to our veterans is that we appreciate and remember their service and they we want to ensure they receive support they need."

Music festival details

Once again, the festival will be held on at "The Mountain" in Ashburnham, which is owned by a RallySound board member.

Previously The Ramble was hosted at Salisbury Beach but a couple of years ago, the music festival was moved to the private Ashburnham property. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic mandatory quarantine period the music festival was virtual and done through a live stream.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, live performances from local, regional, and national musicians will happen starting at 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. All tickets are free, but people must reserve tickets before attending. Food, beverages, and other items are available on site for purchase. Online or on-site donation of any amount are encouraged.

The current festival venue looks over the Mount Wachusett valley with plenty of acres for hundreds of people, vendors, and parking spaces.

Ezra said his band and him were inspired to create a community built around music and charity. He said last year music festival over 600 people attended, and they estimate about the same amount of people.

"We have this incredible crew of volunteers, over 100 volunteers come out every year to help," he said. "It really is inspiring to see this community of bands and people come together for this mission."

The following 11 bands and musicians are in the lineup: Adam Ezra Group, Pat McGee Band, Chad Hollister Band, SIRSY, GoldenOak, Kali Stoddard-Imari, Shanna in a Dress, Danielia Cotton, Steven Hartmann, Poche Ponce, and Tall Travis.

Outdoor games, activities, food and beverages will all available on the day of the music festival. Ezra said this is a family and kid-friendly event, there will be activities and games for kids and adults as well as vegetarian food options.

Blankets, lawn chairs, coolers, outside food, and other items that will increase audience comfort are allowed in the music festival.

Ezra said if anyone can't make it to the music festival the day-long concert will be live streamed through the festival's website at getrambled.com.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Adam Ezra Group and RallySound are ready for The Ramble music festival