California Bluegrass Association

In 2017, over a hundred bluegrass fans marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade with our float featuring three live bluegrass and old-time bands, and we really struck a chord with the crowds and judges of SF Pride. The California Bluegrass Association's "Bluegrass Pride" contingent was officially named the Best Overall Contingent in the 2017 SF Pride Parade--the first time in parade history that a first-time entrant has won the top prize.

The California Bluegrass Association was the first bluegrass group ever to take part in an LGBT Pride celebration. We helped spark a nationwide conversation about inclusivity in bluegrass, and we were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. Bluegrassers from across the country were excited by this opportunity to take the love, acceptance, and joy at the heart of this music and share it with people who had never heard of bluegrass.

And with coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Oxford American, the Bluegrass Situation, and more, the world really took notice of Bluegrass Pride.

Now in our second year, Bluegrass Pride has a lot to live up to! We aim to make this an annual tradition and a year-round movement. In addition to our live Music Float and Marching Contingent, we’ve got a full schedule of fundraising and community-building activities featuring Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Blue Summit, KC Heil, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Mile Twelve, and more. When you contribute here, we'll keep you posted on all the fun. Or follow us at bluegrasspride.net for details.

But we need your help to make this all happen! Building a float and assembling a sound system to bring live bluegrass to over a million people on Market Street isn't cheap! Please contribute and help us spread the word to your friends and family. And then join us for the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24! Sign up to march with us .

Your donations are fully tax deductible. If your employer offers matching contributions, please contact us.

For the first time in its 42 year history, the California Bluegrass Association will be participating in the San Francisco Pride Parade!

We will have several live bands playing on the CBA float, and a whole bunch of us bluegrass pickers will be marching (or riding personal mobility scooters) alongside to spread the gospel of bluegrass and celebrate our community's commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

You're all invited to march with us on Sunday, June 25th and to bring your instruments if you like. We'll be jamming both before and after the parade. To join the Bluegrass Pride contingent, please sign up here. 

Stay involved by following us on facebook, twitter, and instagram, and tagging us with #BluegrassPride.

Our basic budget for the project is $10,000. The main expenses are rental costs (for the truck, trailer, and sound system) and printing costs (for banners, t-shirts, stickers, flyers, etc.). But if we're able to rasie more, we'd love to get a bigger trailer and sound system. We're going to need every watt of power we can get to keep up with the other giant sound systems in the parade! 

The California Bluegrass Association is a 501c3 nonprofit, so all contributions are tax deducitble, and documentation is automatically provided.

Join us in making bluegrass history!