Hogs N Strings hits high note

KOUNTZE — What started nearly a decade ago with just 50 people sitting on hay bales has grown into a major community music festival dedicated to helping disabled veterans. Hogs N Strings returned this year bigger than ever, doubling in size compared to last year’s festival as musicians, vendors, volunteers and supporters came together for a weekend centered on music, fellowship and giving back to those who served. Among those participating was vendor Ben Moore, who specializes in handmade knives, blades and leatherwork. Moore creates much of his metalwork using recycled and repurposed materials, transforming discarded metal into functional pieces of craftsmanship. This marked Moore’s fourth year at Hogs N Strings, an event he continues to support because of its mission. “I really love what this event stands for,” Moore said. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars were also in attendance and expressed admiration for the festival and the tremendous community support behind its mission of assisting disabled veterans. Former Silsbee Bee reporter Daryin McInnis-Long has also become part of the festival’s story. After covering Hogs N Strings as a journalist, McInnis-Long was invited to join the organization’s board, transitioning from reporting on the festival to helping guide its future. And that future promises to be exciting. “We’ve got some big, big surprises for next year,” organizers teased. Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of Hogs N Strings, a milestone that organizers are already looking forward to celebrating. For Phillip Blackmon, reflecting on how far the festival has come was an emotional experience. Fighting back tears during an interview, Blackmon spoke about the volunteers and supporters who have made the festival possible. “This mission is so special,” Blackmon said. “So many selfless people came together to make this.” He recalled the festival’s humble beginnings, when attendance was a fraction of what it has become today. “Our first year we only had 50 people on hay bales,” he said. Nine years later, Hogs N Strings has grown into something far larger than a music festival. It has become a community effort to honor veterans through tangible support while bringing people together through live music. For Blackmon and the volunteers behind Hogs N Strings, however, the mission remains unchanged: using music and community generosity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of disabled veterans.