Select Design and the Flynn Raise over $200,000 for Flood Relief with Hug Your Farmer Benefit Concert

On September 7, the benefit concert Hug Your Farmer: Hard Rain, presented by Select Design, was held on the Main Stage at the Flynn. This event was organized to support Vermont farmers who have been severely impacted by this summer’s devastating flooding. The community came out in big numbers to take part in this impactful event. 100% of all proceeds benefited the Vermont Community Foundation’s VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund. Between ticket sales, merchandise totals, and additional donations, Hug Your Farmer raised over $200,000.

If you are interested in donating to the Vermont Community Foundation’s VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund, visit vermontcf.org.

"We are blown away by the response to this event," said Jay Wahl, The Flynn’s executive director. "We live in an amazing state and community that is eager to help each other out and contribute to important causes with far-reaching impacts. So many of our friends and neighbors were affected by the devastating flooding this July and we are grateful to Select Design for allowing us to host this benefit concert, which provided much needed assistance for these local farms."

Celebrating the music of Bob Dylan, the Hug Your Farmer band was led by Bob Wagner and included Ray Paczkowski (Trey Anastasio Band), Clint Bierman and Peter Day (The Grift), Josh Weinstein (Kat Wright), Steve Hadeka, Corey Wilhelm (Bombino), Matt LaRocca (Vermont Symphony Orchestra), and more. Additionally, the night featured a variety of very special guests, including Mike Gordon (Phish), Tessa Gordon, Martin Sexton, Chad Stokes (Dispatch), Tony Award-winner Kelli O’Hara, Kat Wright, Seth Yacovone, Josh Panda, Dwight & Nicole, The Sweet Remains, Matt Flinner, Brett Hughes, Matt Hagen, and more.

The Hug Your Farmer series was created in 2010, following the loss of the Pete’s Green barn in a fire. Since then, Select has presented five Hug Your Farmer events, including a live-streamed concert during the pandemic which featured performances from Dave Matthews and Grace Potter.

The Vermont Community Foundation, a public charitable organization serving shared causes throughout Vermont, has directed over $2 million to Vermonters who have been impacted by this summer's flooding through their VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund.

For more information about the Vermont Community Foundation’s VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund, visit vermontcf.org.