Since Nelsonville Music Festival is, you know, pretty much a staple of local musical culture, it’s not exactly the smartest idea to come at it sideways. But for some unknown reason, Hocking College decided to do that in 2021, creating an ongoing and, honestly, ridiculous controversy. Apparently this is the hill their willing to die on.
Held every summer in Nelsonville, Ohio, Stuart’s Opera House throws this music and arts gathering, which attracts national musical acts and thousands upon thousands of attendants from all over Ohio and across state lines. It’s integral to the local economy, not to mention the event itself is just awesome.
Unfortunately, it’s mired in drama. And though it seems everything’s been “resolved”, you can bet the bad blood isn’t yet dried.
The Petty Wars: What is Hocking College Actually Trying to Do?
The festival was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, and moved to Logan in 2021 when Hocking was unable to host due to pandemic restrictions. When it returned to Nelsonville for 2022, it was told by Hocking College that 90% of the space they use for the event wouldn’t be usable, and they’d have to find a new place to have it. And so, Stuart’s did go find a new spot. Problem solved, right?
Wrong.
Here’s where things get pro-level petty. Once NMF announced its new location and date for the 2022 festival, Hocking College then announced its own, new music festival planned for the same exact dates as NMF. In addition, vendors soon reached out to Stuart’s, citing strange calls about acts and vendors from people who only gave vague information.
Sketchy. Some might say underhanded. Unarguably – petty. When the public, naturally, made a lot of noise about this sequence of events and how everything was going down, Hocking College doubled down, citing the reason for the dates they chose was simply that it was the only weekend they could do it – total coincidence.
In addition, they kicked NMF off is because they owed them two years of back pay. To which Stuart’s replied, okay – where are the invoices, because we can pay you anytime. But before Hocking made this claim, Stuart’s had never heard of these alleged outstanding payments.
What’s so weird about this entire situation is that NMF and Hocking College had a symbiotic and synergistic relationship that benefited both the school and the city. Where did the drama come from? And why did it get so bad? Wondering if certain egos overshadowed the good of the community. Wouldn’t be the first time.
This year, things have been ironed out, logistically. Though, there’s tension. Will there ever not be? Who knows. This July, Hocking College will hold their first self-thrown music festival, called the Black Diamond Music Festival. And Nelsonville Music Festival will put on an amazing weekend of art, music, food, drink, and fun, like they always do.Check out Nelsonville Music Fest this July 21st-23rd and experience the best of Southeast Ohio culture!