The group of local musicians will put on the annual Warrenstock concert at Pellegrino’s Creekside Pavilion starting at 5 p.m. today with a rain date of Sunday.

Some 30 musicians — all with Warren County ties, many graduates of Warren Area High School — will get together in various groups to perform 48 songs, if all goes right.

The concert is expected to run for a little over five hours.

There is no charge. “It’s a free show for the community,” Monster Family Member and the event’s founder Pat Hackett said. “It’s 100 percent family friendly – all ages.”

Times Observer file photos A group of Allegheny River Monsters performs at Warrenstock 2021.

The event was started in 2011 by Hackett — a 1982 WAHS graduate.

“The event this year is going to tie in with my 40th class reunion,” Hackett said.

The music will include a tribute to that class, with about one hour of the concert focusing on songs that came out in 1982, Hackett said. “It’s kind of a time capsule.”

There will be a tribute to veterans – an annual tradition at the event — in which veterans on stage, and those in the audience, will be recognized. The featured song is ‘Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.’

“There’s going to be a Warren Area High School a cappella reunion,” Hackett said. That group will perform ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’

While Hackett’s class is singled out, the musicians span decades and different areas of the county. “It’s a county reunion,” he said. “It has that feel every year. You see people that you spent time with. I think that’s part of the charm and the popularity.”

It has grown from a small, fairly personal gathering to a massive event that draws thousands.

The event isn’t about the roar of the crowd. The musicians are thankful that people enjoy their music, but “it’s about giving back,” Hackett said.

A larger number of enthusiastic people in attendance means the event can do that job better.

Allegheny River Monsters shirts, by Icyy Ink, will be on sale. Proceeds from those sales will be given directly to the Warren Area High School marching band.

The performers will get together before the event to make sure everything is flowing smoothly.

“We do this five-hours show on two rehearsals,” Hackett said.

But it’s not all thrown together on the spot. The performers take pride in their music and put in work to be ready.

“Other than (the two rehearsals) they all do it on their own,” Taylor said. “People practice these songs all year.”

Any snags can mean fewer songs are played. People who have been practicing their parts for a year don’t want to see that.

The concert is comprised of rock and country music for the most part.

“We try to do a little something for everybody,” Taylor said. “It covers all genres.”

This year, there is a lean toward heavier music, Taylor said.

There are a few — six to eight — repeats from previous shows. Other than that, the list is full of new and different material.

The one common element in every song, every group, is Hackett. He is the one performer who is on stage throughout. “He’s the iron-man that does every song,” Taylor said.

While the Monsters are a family, there is some room for individual recognition.

“Ward and Betsy Schell have opened their house up,” Taylor said. “The vocalists show up and practice. They need their space as well.”

Bob Volpe is another spoke in the wheel that helps make sure all of the other spokes can do their jobs.

“There’s no (commercial) sound guy that would do our show,” Hackett said. “It’s a mess.”

But Volpe spends the time to make sure every microphone and every instrument and every setting is right ahead of time, so the music can move smoothly from one song, one group of performers, to the next. “He’s a nine-year volunteer with us,” Hackett said. “This show could not go on without him.”

“It’s awesome when people want to be a part of it,” Taylor said.

“Everybody’s involved because they want to be,” Hackett said.

He said he would encourage aspiring musicians to ask about joining back-up singers on stage if they know the material and are interested.

The Monsters expressed their appreciation for Tom Pellegrino for hosting. “It’s an awesome location,” Hackett said. “He’s been a great partner for the Monsters since 2018. Each year he improves the venue.”

Food, ice cream, beer, and liquor will be available on site. “No coolers or alcohol will be permitted to be brought in,” Taylor said.

The Monsters try to be good neighbors and wrap up the concert in a timely fashion. “I have to give the community kudos,” Hackett said. “They realize it’s one night a year.”

In fact, the Monsters hear every year about people who sit out on porches or in lawn chairs and enjoy the music at home on both sides of the Conewango.

“I’ve never been part of a band that’s more eclectic,” Hackett said. “This is as close as it’s going to get to pleasing everyone.”