Columbus Arts Festival vendor has trailer and stolen products

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – It was a devastating end to an otherwise successful weekend at the Columbus Arts Festival for a Florida artist.

Glassblower Joe Hobbs returns home without the trailer used to transport his glass works of art, tent and other festival supplies.

Hobbs said he and his family were having a great time exploring the city until it was time to leave and his trailer was nowhere to be found.

The trailer was stolen early Monday morning from outside his short-term rental on West Thurber Avenue, he said. He usually tries to make sure both the truck and trailer are in his line of sight, and they were until he looked out the window Monday morning.

Hobbs then realized the truck was there, but the trailer filled with his art and booth accessories was gone.

“It was a great weekend, the weather was absolutely beautiful,” he said. “My family was able to go to the zoo and aquarium, and I was able to meet many customers. It was good. It was a great experience until everything was stolen.

Hobbs said he plans to attend Denver’s next arts festival during the Fourth of July holiday, but added that getting there and rebuilding inventory may be a challenge right now.

Anyone who believes they have seen the trailer with scraped letters or any artwork is asked to contact Columbus police at 614-645-4545.