Carla Clark | For The Republic People mingle during Hogstock 2022: A Day of Live Music and Craft Beer, benefiting the Columbus Area Arts Council, hosted by Scott Wilson State Farm and Hog Molly Brewing Co.held at Hog Molly Brewing in Columbus, Indiana, Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Rain reigned at the end, but not before a mix of musical acts raised $15,000 for the nonprofit Columbus Area Arts Council at the outdoors event Hogstock 2022: A Day of Live Music and Cold Beer recently at Hog Molly Brewing Company in Columbus.
The total is $5,000 more than what was generated at last year’s inaugural fundraiser.
Scott Wilson State Farm Insurance and Hog Molly Brewing Company organized the gathering that drew about 500 people on June 11.
“The whole day was great,” said Wilson, who hatched the idea for the fundraiser last year while knowing of the arts council’s financial struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Well, it was great until Wilson’s group, Three Beards Strummin’ joined forces with Soul Patch to cap off the day in the evening. Two songs into the act’s set, rain began and the day ended. The two groups are slated to join together again at 6 p.m. Thursday at the arts council’s free Sixth Street Arts Alley event that actually begins at 5 p.m. on the multicolored Sixth Street in downtown Columbus.
The acts first played together at last year’s Hogstock to positive feedback for an especially eclectic setlist that ranged from Black Sabbath to Neil Diamond.
Wilson gushed over the work of 74 volunteers that he said made the event a big success. He included Hog Molly’s staff, who donated their time and tips for the sake of the cause.
“There were still people buying tickets when we came on stage to play,” Wilson said, adding that of the rain had held off, they might have raised $2,000 more.
Wilson theorized that if the event grows larger next year it may eventually have to be moved to a locale such as Mill Race Park. He said there’s also a chance that the concert could become a part of a larger music series in the future.
