It's time for fun and to celebrate and it happens later today. It's time for Porchfest 2022, taking place at theAbel Bennett Tract (a historic tract on the West Side of Binghamton, New York).
What is a porchfest? It's a neighborhood celebration of music and the arts, organized by the community. People open up their porches to musicians, who play half hour sets. There are vendors. Some closed streets. This year, there will be a shuttle. It's a massive undertaking and my congratulations go to all the hard working people who get it done every year, in the tradition of the first Porchfest, held in Ithaca, New York in 2007.
(Ithaca's Porchfest was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, but it's back on September 25 this year.)
Our first Porchfest in Binghamton was in 2015, with 50 bands on 20 porches, and wasn't even officially sanctioned by the City of Binghamton. Today, there will be 165 bands on 59 porches or other venues, all between (officially) noon and 7pm. It's family friendly, alcohol free (although there are restaurants serving alcohol) and best of all, FREE. Although, contributions and purchase of T-Shirts and other merchandise is more than welcomed.
I understand that at least 130 communities, some outside the United States, will have a Porchfest this year.
As for Binghamton, here's a sneak preview of what could be described as a large block party. I'm not prevewing the music, which will range from hip hop to steel drum to flutes, but, rather, a couple of houses that were already decorated Saturday.
Here are some of my past Porchfest posts:
What Makes a Community a Community?
Finally, a throwback to the Porchfest of 2019. Looks inviting, doesn't it?
It's supposed to be hot and humid today, but I don't think that will stop the enjoyment.
...we have many neighborhoods like this.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteSound like it would bring out better neighbors
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
I’m glad it’s back
ReplyDeleteNow THIS is a neighbourhood!
ReplyDeleteMost (not all) the houses are smaller, but my town has a street that could do this. (It only seems that everything is on Jackson Street in Gate City. We really do have other streets.)
ReplyDelete