29-03-2025
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts among performers coming to local whiskey and music festival
A three-day whiskey and music festival in August will feature more than 25 music artists performing on two stages; among them will be rock icon Joan Jett, known for hits like "I Love Rock n Roll."
The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival will be held Aug. 8 through 10 at Camp Eastman, located near Durand-Eastman Park in Irondequoit. It is open to all ages, with some areas designated 21 and up.
The inaugural Hoochenanny Whiskey Festival was a two-day event held in the Village of Geneseo in October 2023. It was created to celebrate New York's distilling heritage, as the state hosts the highest concentration of distilleries east of the Mississippi.
The owners of the festival are musician Tommy Brunett, co-owner of Iron Smoke Distillery, along with Sean McCarthy, owner of McCarthy Tents & Events and co-owner of Roc Holiday Village.
Hoochenanny 2025 will take place on 14 acres at Camp Eastman, and will feature two outdoor music stages and seven custom-built tents. Attendees will be able to enjoy performances by a mix of Americana, rock, alternative, punk, outlaw country and rockabilly artists.
People who purchase tasting and VIP passes will be able to explore tasting experiences where industry experts will lead tastings and discussions. The brands currently participating in the festival include Balcones Distilling, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Black Button Distilling, Bubba's Secret Stills Whiskey, Den of Thieves, Great Jones, Green River, Iron Smoke Distillery, Michter's, Pinhook, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Tin Cup Mountain Whiskey and Woodenville Whiskey Co. More are expected to be added.
Friday, Aug. 8, 2 to 10 p.m.: Charles Wesley Godwin, Old 97's, The English Beat, Cristina Vane.
Saturday, Aug. 9, noon to 10 p.m.: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Record Company, Tommy Brunett's All-Star Cavalcade of Scoundrels, The Jack Knives, Vandoliers.
Sunday, Aug. 10, 2 to 10 p.m.: Moe, Dark Star Orchestra, Galactic featuring Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph, Eggy.
Early bird pricing is available through Saturday, May 31; find additional pricing at
Early bird general admission passes: $50 for one day; $85 for two days; $120 for three days, plus service fees.
Access to the festival site and up-front standing room at both stages.
Access to beverage center, craft cocktail lounge, artisan's bazaar, food vendors, water fill stations and free beer tastings.
The festival will have more than 25,000 square feet of covered space and ample seating.
Early bird general admission tasting passes: $75 for one day, $130 for two days, $190 for three days, plus service fees.
General admission benefits plus access to up to 20 tastings in the World of Whiskey, which will offer interactive sampling stations, educational sessions and opportunities to meet the distillers behind the brands. Additional tastings will be available for purchase.
Early bird VIP passes: $150 for one day; $285 for two days; $400 for three days, plus service fees.
This includes general admission items plus:
Access to the VIP Loft double-decker tent,
Bird's-eye view of the festival stages with VIP Bridge access for the best vantage points,
Exclusive whiskey tastings,
Full cash bars and cocktail lounges,
Sit-down dining and dedicated catering for purchase,
Climate-controlled luxury restrooms,
Cigar bar featuring custom-made, hand-rolled cigars,
Free on-site parking.
Buy tickets online at
Food and drink reporter Tracy Schuhmacher prefers her bourbon in an Old Fashioned cocktail. Find her on Instagram as @rahchachow.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hoochenanny Whiskey and Music Festival: Performers, dates, costs
