March Madness Fundraiser (2026) - Jones County Heritage Festival

We're kicking off the pre-festival activities with our first annual March Madness Fundraiser!

Get ready for the excitement of March Madness while supporting a great cause! The JCHF 2026 March Madness Bracket Challenge is officially open to the public, and we invite you to join the fun.

Each year, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament brings thrilling upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. Now you can test your bracket skills, compete for prizes, and support JCHF at the same time.

Official Rules

The JCHF March Madness Bracket Challenge is open to the public. All participants must complete the official registration form by March 15, 2026.
The entry fee is $10 per bracket. Multiple brackets are allowed; however, each bracket requires a separate entry fee. All payments are non-refundable.
Brackets must be completed using the official online platform provided by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
Instructions for joining the official JCHF bracket group will be emailed to all registered participants after registration closes.
All brackets must be submitted on the ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge website before the first game of the tournament begins. No changes may be made once games have started.
Scoring and standings will follow the official scoring system as displayed on the ESPN NCAA Tournament website within the JCHF group.
The ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge website's built-in Championship Game total points prediction will serve as the official tiebreaker. If a tie remains after the ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge tiebreaker, prize money will be split evenly among tied participants.
Prize distribution will be based on the total number of paid entries and will be announced after registration closes.
JCHF reserves the right to disqualify any unpaid or ineligible entries. All decisions made by the JCHF Committee are final.

How To Play

Read the official rules
Register online: March Madness Fundraiser Registration Form
After registration closes, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join our private group through the official bracket platform hosted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Once you join the group:

Complete your bracket online.
Submit your picks before the first tournament game begins.
Follow along as the standings update throughout the tournament.

All scoring and tiebreakers will follow the official ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge website bracket system.

Entry Fee

$10 per bracket (exact cash or check only)

Participants may enter multiple brackets, but each bracket requires a separate entry fee. All payments are non-refundable.

Important Dates

Registration Deadline: March 15, 2026
Bracket Submission Deadline: Before the first tournament game tips off (expected March 19, 2026)

Be sure to watch your email after registering for detailed instructions on how to join the official JCHF bracket group.

Why Participate?

Every entry helps support the Jones County Heritage Festival and the continued success of our annual festival. This fundraiser allows our community to come together in a fun, competitive way while contributing to an event that celebrates our county’s heritage, agriculture, and community pride.

Whether you're a college basketball expert or just picking teams based on mascots and colors, everyone has a shot at winning. So gather your friends, challenge your coworkers, and see who can build the ultimate bracket!