Ustock, the annual Lebanon community fundraiser organized by Jeff Godby, David Lewis and Randy Francis, drew roughly 1,000 attendees this year and netted about $18,000 for local charities, the event’s organizers said on the Love and Lebanon podcast. Organizers said the proceeds will be split roughly evenly between the foundation that allows the event to use Hole No. 6 at the course and Shalom House, a local nonprofit that provides food and services to families.

The three organizers, who jokingly call themselves the “Godfathers of Ustock,” said the ninth edition was the largest to date after the event grew from an initial backyard party of about 50 people. “Chances are if you’re hearing this podcast, you have just been and are still kind of coming down off the high that was Ustock 20 ’25,” said Joe LePage, host of the Love and Lebanon podcast and the city’s communications and community development director.

Organizers described a mix of fundraising activities that helped reach the total: donation boxes and Venmo collections, a painted “Ustock couch” auctioned for $500, raffle sales and donated food and services from local businesses. They noted in the podcast that about 1,200 corn dogs were provided and multiple kegs of beer were supplied by donors, and that local restaurants and shops contributed gift cards and other prizes for raffles.

The event relies heavily on volunteer labor and in-kind sponsorships, organizers said. Volunteers from beneficiary organizations helped with setup, ticket sales and cleanup; local businesses provided food, manpower and prizes at no cost. Organizers singled out recurring contributors including local craft brewers, restaurants and families who sponsor portions of the event.

Ustock’s organizers described the event as family friendly and community focused, with programming suited to a broad age range. Local bands — including a recurring act the hosts called Dave and Ray and a set by Sean Richards — provided music, and organizers said the event has remained manageable from a public-safety perspective, with informal assistance from Lebanon police and Boone County Sheriff’s volunteers.

The founders said the event has a multi-year track record of giving back; they estimate Ustock has donated more than $100,000 to local causes over nine years. Looking ahead to the 10th anniversary, the organizers said they are planning something larger but have not finalized details and invited people who want to help to contact them via social media.

Organizers emphasized that proceeds stay local and that the event’s growth is driven by “cheerful giving” from residents, volunteers and sponsors rather than ticket sales. They encouraged anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a future organizer to reach out through Ustock’s Facebook or Instagram pages.

Less critical details: the event began as a backyard gathering, expanded through word-of-mouth and individual invites, and now combines music, food, games and auctions. The organizers acknowledged the behind-the-scenes work of spouses and volunteers who handle logistics, decoration and cleanup.