Front porches are often of great value to homeowners. They can increase the value of your home and the amount of socialization that happens in your neighborhood. One Fort Wayne neighborhood association is hoping to capitalize on the importance of front porches.
Leaders from the Williams Woodland Park neighborhood are preparing to host their second-ever Porchfest. On June 3, they’re inviting “neighbors” from all over Fort Wayne to join them on their front porches for music, art, storytelling, food and community.
The neighborhood is known for its Holiday Home Tours, meant to showcase the architecture and history of what many consider to be Fort Wayne’s first organized neighborhood. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, they were forced to pause their Holiday Home Tours.
Hunter Schubert, an At Large Member of the neighborhood association, says the cancellation of their hallmark event left them feeling like something was missing from their community, so they began thinking of ways they could highlight their community while and bring people together in a safe manner.
“With everyone staying indoors, we wanted to have a moment where the community could come out and celebrate local bands and artists, but also just come together as a community,” says Schubert.
What if they could close down a couple of streets, and encourage neighbors to meet outside for music, art and storytelling?
Porchfest was the answer to their question. And after a successful first year in 2022, the Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood Association knew they had to continue the event.
Now in their second year, Porchfest features nine local musical acts, including Kevin Pifer, Howling Hounds, Middles Names, and Waiting for Dasiy, all of which will perform on front porches of Williams Woodland Park residences. Nearby on other porches, artist demonstrations from Potter Nicole Capriglione and painter Becky Stockert will take place.
Walking tours led by a local historian will be available at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Garden tours will be held throughout the day. A special area for kids, Kidfest, will be open all day as well, with chalk drawing, toys and story times at 2 and 2:30 p.m.
Ziffles, Same City and Whip n’ Chill will be there serving food.
Porchfest is open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m on June 3, 2023. Tickets are $15 per person, and kids 10 and under are free. This event is pet-friendly. Parking is available at Templo Aposento Alto Church.
Learn more about Porchfest here.
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