Cannon Fire, Classic Cars & Songs with a Story to Tell
By Monica Jones
Memorial Day weekend in Columbus doesn’t always win the pull over the beach—but for those who stay, there’s still plenty happening close to home.
For 15 years, Bugs on the Hooch has brought Volkswagen enthusiasts, families, and curious wanderers together—now hosted at the National Civil War Naval Museum—for a weekend of classic cars, camping, and community along the riverfront.
Amid all of it, there’s a moment that shifts the tone.
On Saturday, May 23, just after the Civil War cannon fires across the Chattahoochee, attention moves inside the museum for the 4th Annual Honor & Freedom Concert, produced by local songwriter Scott Singer.
“Imagine the deep, thunderous crack of a Civil War cannon echoing across the Chattahoochee River—then, just minutes later, the first strum of a guitar and the raw, honest voice of a song born from a veteran’s most personal battlefield,” Singer says.
The concert has become a steady part of the weekend, but its focus stands apart. Each song performed is written with veterans and their families, built from real experiences rather than secondhand storytelling.
“At its core, this concert gives veterans a platform to have their stories told through song and shared in a way people can truly connect with,” Singer says. “These aren’t your average songs—they’re real stories of struggle, triumph, sacrifice, and resilience.”
Singer, alongside his wife Lisa, works with organizations like Freedom Sings USA and Operation Song, helping veterans translate personal history into music that can be performed and shared with a broader audience.
This year’s program features new material written over the past year with local veterans—many of whom will be in attendance as special guests—along with contributions from songwriter Dennis Polattie.
“The goal is to take real experiences and turn them into songs that honor service while helping people better understand it,” Singer says. “It’s an afternoon where heartfelt original music meets deep gratitude and patriotism.”
The setting reinforces it without needing to say much. As the National Civil War Naval Museum marks its 25th anniversary, its collection of artifacts and preserved vessels, including the CSS Jackson, provides a backdrop that already carries a sense of history and weight.
Outside, the weekend continues at full speed.
Founded by Rick Johnson and the SCUMBUGS crew, Bugs on the Hooch has grown into a multi-day event that mixes car culture with a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. This year also marks a transition, with Omar Thomas of In It To Win Kustomz stepping in to help carry the event forward while SCUMBUGS moves into a smaller role.
The schedule stretches across the entire weekend. Friday brings early arrivals, camping, a drive-in-style movie, and a cruise downtown. Saturday centers around the car show and awards, with a BBQ vendor on site, military vehicles, swap meets, drone racing, and activities for kids. Hot air balloons are planned for Saturday morning, expected to lift off over the river if conditions cooperate.
Sunday introduces a new rally-style event on a nearby six-acre course, adding a more competitive edge to close out the weekend.
For most people, it’s the cars that bring them in. But just inside the museum doors, there’s a different kind of draw—one that trades engines for something more personal, and leaves people sitting a little longer than they planned.
Bugs on the Hooch VW Show
Memorial Day Weekend | May 22–24, 2026
National Civil War Naval Museum, Columbus
Honor & Freedom Concert
Saturday, May 23 | 12:30 PM
(Immediately following the cannon firing)