Music and skateboarding are focus of Jam for Jax fundraiser

By Lethbridge Herald on May 13, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The second annual Jam for Jax Tribute Concert and Skate Jam is coming back to Legacy Park on June 7, to raise funds to help youth pursue music through the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta’s Jax McKnight-Hogan Music Fund. 

Jax McKnight-Hogan passed away suddenly on Oct. 1, 2023 at the age of 14, and his mother Shanda McKnight, created the fund along with others to honour his memory and continue his music legacy. 

McKnight shares that her son Jax was very talented and loved helping others learn how to play instruments and even wrote and recorded a few tracks. So, last year to fundraise for their CFLSA fund, the Jam for Jax Tribute Concert and Skate Jam was launched, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. 

“The fund is to support youth in music, so it might be through scholarships, or providing funds for youth groups, or youth who need assistance with lessons or music,” says McKnight.

Jax was known for his musicianship and his skateboarding, and he built huge communities in those two areas, which is why Jam for Jax features both music and skateboarding. 

“We decided to highlight youth bands within high school and middle school age students, so we have three hours of youth playing music and we have also invited community bands to perform,” says McKnight. 

The community bands will perform throughout the last three hours of the event. 

“Last year we had September Crows, Fawns, and Shaela Miller and this year we have September Crows again and 4BPM as well as The Definitive, which are coming in from Calgary,” says McKnight. 

Jam for Jax will have music playing almost all day long from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and there will be two skateboarding competitions, known as Skate Jams. One is for best tricks and the other for skills, with prizes up for grabs. 

“So, we are inviting the community to come out and celebrate those things that Jax loved the most, music and skateboarding, and help us support his music fund at the CFLSA,” says McKnight. 

Last year, approximately 1,500 people attended the event according to McKnight, and they were able to raise about $10,000. 

“It was absolutely amazing. I am so honoured that people want to volunteer and come out to support this event and want to participate in it. I am blown away, quite speechless actually.”

She shares that it is very hard to lose a child, she doesn’t want Jax to be forgotten, and this event helps to keep his memory alive, while fundraising for something he loved to do, which was helping others. 

This year those in attendance will be able to purchase swag, which includes bracelets, enter raffles and participate in 50/50. 

“Whatever people wish to donate, we will greatly appreciate it,” says McKnight. “If we can raise another $10,000 that would be incredible, because that just means more money going out to the community.”

This year the Jax McKnight-Hogan Music Fund will be helping a member of the community already, and McKnight hopes this can continue with everyone’s support. 

“I am part of the committee that helps decide where the money goes, so this year we will be honouring a scholarship at LCI for a student who is going to pursue music in post-secondary,” says McKnight. 

They will also be opening applications for people to apply for grants to help with their programs.