PorchFest
In this article, Teagan McNamara informs Grants Pass of the annual Porch Festival: a time of music, art and food and discussing the history of this local summer event.
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Porchfest 2022
Porchfest 2022
By Teagan McNamara
By Teagan McNamara
For those who do not know what PorchFest is, it is a free annual community-building music, art and food festival here in Grants Pass. The event is located on NW Washington Boulevard and close to Lawnridge Park, the historic homes area of Grants Pass. The participating street area will be closed off to vehicles, but bikes are allowed and street parking is just outside of the event. Also, this festival is child and pet- friendly (Dogs must be on leashes and well-behaved). Music of different genres plays on people's front porches. This will be the third annual PorchFest in Grants Pass and will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2022. PorchFests main goal is to support the children of Josephine County.
The History of PorchFest
The History of PorchFest
Originating in Ithaca, NY in 2007, PorchFest is where neighbors gather with guitars and fiddles and locals open their porches for use. Inspired by the outdoor conversation and ukulele playing, which gathered people, Gretchen Hildreth and Lesley Greene both came up with the idea that September and brought together 20 bands. According to the official PorchFest website, this activity has inspired many-- not only in Ithaca, New York and Grants Pass, but many gatherings have also been held in large cities and small towns across the nation. Grants Pass has the only PorchFest in Oregon, but there are more than 130 PorchFest celebrations around the US and Canada. Musicians and neighbors come together in the community to make music and eat local food. Thanks to people like Andy Adelewitz and Greene's husband, software has been made to schedule and assist bands. Also, thanks to many donations, support and volunteering at this event has been successful all around the United States and more. Locally, the Annual Porch Festival is a time of music, art and food in Grants Pass.
The historical Grants Pass neighborhood, with wide porches, is perfect for this event. As stated by the official Grants Pass PorchFest website, local musicians play on people's porches and it is a great place to bring family and friends. Porchfest benefits youth programs like Project Youth +, CASA, Family Solutions, and the Maslow Project. RG Rotary Foundation will support Family Solutions 9. PorchFest is free thanks to donations, sponsors and volunteering. Every year, two to three local youth-oriented charities receive the donations raised during Porchfest. This charitable event will benefit some of the youth programs in Josephine County. Businesses and companies support Porchfest and their funds cover the costs. Some of PorchFest sponsors include: AllCare Health, Southern Oregon Subaru, Women's Health Center of Southern Oregon, Evergreen Federal Bank, SOS, Century 21, Siskiyou Pediatric Clinic, Roe Motors, Josephine County Cultural Coalition and more. To sign up or donate contact porchfestgrantspass.org or 541-862-1461. You can also help by volunteering and giving tips to the performers.
Admission is free, so come join. There will be a raffle with donated prizes, craft booths, vendors, and a marketplace for artists. Vendors accept cash or cards and lost and found is at the event information booth. Artists and crafters can request a booth in the marketplace. According to Travel Southern Oregon, local artists will be showing their talent from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here are some of this year's musicians: Brynna DeLonge, Lady and the Tramp, Artful Rain, A Band Of Brothers, Jefferson Classical Guitar Society, Sonny K, Bridge, Timeless and more! Bring lawn chairs and enjoy food, drinks, artwork, music and people's company. Maps and schedules will be given by volunteers to visitors at the festival. The generosity of neighbors and locals is what makes this event so wonderful, which brings a good mood to the community.
Updates will be made if PorchFest is postponed,restricted or canceled because of poor weather or high Covid cases.
Contact: porchfestgrantspass@gmail.com for more information.
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