PorchFest could make comeback after virus upended event last year

Planners monitoring health conditions

Plans for a much-anticipated second annual Hull PorchFest and related events, featuring dozens of talented local performers during the summer and fall months, are underway.

PorchFest’s goal is to strengthen community bonds, highlight Hull’s thriving music and arts community, provide economic benefit to local businesses, and emerge as a source of philanthropic support to worthy local causes.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 18, from 1- 6 p.m., for a celebration of local civic pride “fueled by the talents of local musicians and volunteers,” Hull PorchFest organizer Tom Hardy told the Board of Selectmen this week. The main event will take place in the Kenberma neighborhood.

Hull PorchFest 2021 logo designed by Jeanne Miller

The board granted conditional approval for the festival, depending on COVID-19 guidelines that are in effect at the time and the implementation of safety protocols such as face masks, social distancing, and other precautions.

“We’re proceeding as if this is going to happen while realizing that the event could be postponed or cancelled,” Hardy said.

The event will be a festival of free fun and music, along with tasty food offerings, for the Hull community “while promoting our town as an entertainment destination and as an artistic enclave,” he said.

Entertainment featuring 40 to 50 bands and performers will take place on 20 porches, driveways, and yards, with an expected crowd of 1,000 to 1,500 attendees if all goes as planned.

Sponsorships from last year’s cancelled event will be honored this year. A fundraiser is tentatively planned for mid-May.

“We are aware that we must be vigilant in our efforts to stage a fun but safe event for all guests, musicians, hosts, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, and public safety officials,” Hardy said.

Preview Saturdays offering music by local performers are scheduled to run from June 12 through Sept. 11.

Due to possible last-minute changes as the event nears, a schedule will be released a few days before the Sept. 18 event. “We want to assure the least possible risk of confusion for festival-goers related to performers and performance times,” the PorchFest website states. “A few weeks before Hull PorchFest, we should be able to publish what neighborhoods will host performers at what times.”

More information about the event is available at https://www.hullporchfest.org/.