Stone Carnival is one of the headliners at this year’s Hogstock 2022.
Submitted photo
THE founder of the Hogstock Live Music &Beer Festival 2022 on Saturday aims for double the proceeds for a local nonprofit and maybe even double the fun.
Last year, musician and singer Scott Wilson of local band Three Beards Strummin’ organized at Hog Molly Brewing Company the inaugural event that attracted an estimated 400 people of all ages and generated more than $10,000 for the Columbus Area Arts Council. The new goal for Hogstock 2022 is $20,000 — significant since the arts council has endured budget cuts in recent years.
“Oh my goodness, it was so hot last year,” Wilson said.
He mentioned such because temperatures were in the mid 90s, and he understandably feels that the conditions limited the crowd. This weekend, he’s hoping for cooler temperatures for what he figures could be an even cooler event at Hog Molly, 830 Depot St. in Columbus.
Numerous wines and beers. Seven acts in the afternoon and evening. Three food trucks. One big way to support the local agency that brings the community a mix of free and ticketed programming, from family concerts to hands-on art activities.
Wilson feels certain the event can grow.
“I think within a couple years, it could grow to the point that we have to move it offsite,” he said. “We’re just really passionate about supporting the arts council.”
Wilson is excited to see his trio again join forces onstage with Soul Patch as they did last year.
The set list last year was so varied that the combined ensemble performed Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” followed by Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline.”
“People probably have never heard a concert where you’ve got those two songs back to back before,” Wilson said with a chuckle last year. “It was incredible.”
He figures this year’s setlist could include cover tunes ranging from Chicago to Earth, Wind and Fire.
“And there may be some other things we could do (musically) to shock people a little,” Wilson said.
Last year, just the fast assembly of the brass-boosted group Soul Patch was nearly shock enough, even to its own, eventual members who hardly planned their casual, rather organic beginning. Others involved with the event have opted for a basic approach to its success. Take Lou Krempel, co-owner of Hog Molly Brewing Company. His rockin’ responsibility for the afternoon and evening?
“I make sure the beer’s flowing,” he said in a promotional, online video.
Wilson is smart enough to retain some especially popular aspects of last year’s Hogstock, such as singer/guitarist Lindsey Flannery, originally from Rushville.
“People said she was the best of all the bands,” Wilson said, “which only hurt my feelings a little bit, since I was up there.”
