Rochester’s premier whiskey and music event will auction coveted bottles and memorabilia, including Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year and a Lou Gramm-signed guitar, with proceeds supporting three local nonprofits when bidding opens August 8.
Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival Auction Features Premium Bottles
“This auction is about more than just prized bottles,” said Sean McCarthy, co-owner of Hoochenanny. “It’s about using our shared love of whiskey and music to do something meaningful. These charities represent hope, healing and opportunity, and we’re honored to support them through this one-of-a-kind experience.”
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The online auction will run from August 8 to 10 through Givebutter, with a curated selection available for viewing at the festival throughout the weekend. Winning bidders can claim their bottles on-site after the auction closes Sunday, August 10.
Three Nonprofits to Benefit from Festival Proceeds
The auction will support Endless Highway, the Lou Gramm Foundation, and Make-A-Wish Western New York. Each organization brings unique value to the Rochester community through accessibility initiatives, music education support, and wish fulfillment for critically ill children.
Endless Highway works to expand access to sports, recreation, and the arts for people who use mobility devices. The organization partnered with festival organizers to design an accessible festival site at Camp Eastman in Irondequoit.
The Lou Gramm Foundation, established by the Foreigner frontman, provides grants to gifted music students and removes financial barriers to music education. Gramm expressed gratitude for the partnership, noting Rochester’s deep musical roots and praising organizer Tommy Brunett’s support of local music.
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Make-A-Wish Western New York creates life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses. Regional Development Director Donna Auria highlighted the timing of the partnership during one of their busiest wish-granting seasons.
The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival 2025
The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival returns August 8-10, 2025, with an expanded lineup featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, moe., Dark Star Orchestra, and more than 150 whiskeys from national and regional distilleries. General admission passes start at $55 for single-day entry, with tasting passes beginning at $85.
Festival organizers expect strong interest in the auction’s rare bottles, particularly the allocated bourbons that typically command premium prices on the secondary market. The combination of exclusive whiskeys and the Lou Gramm-signed guitar creates a unique opportunity for collectors while supporting meaningful causes in the Rochester community.
