By Joan Slowey Dellett ~
Now that the summer crowds are gone and we can finally relax and enjoy our “local summer”, there are all kinds of events happening in the area that take advantage of the still gorgeous weather with outdoor celebrations of all things Jersey Shore.
One of the newest and most unique events is the 2nd Annual Asbury Park Porchfest. The concept of Porchfest is based on an annual event that started in Ithaca, NY over a decade ago and is now held in cities and towns across the country. It began with local musicians playing on their own front porches for an audience who moved from home to home enjoying live music throughout the day.
Asbury Park’s passionate connection to music along with its idyllic homes and porches made it an ideal town for its own Porchfest. Produced under the auspices of the Asbury Park Homeowners Association, a 501(c)3, the event was created to give local bands a place to play and get their music heard. The Association originally located the bands but after the success of last year’s event, bands are now finding them through word of mouth and asking to be a part of this distinctive happening. All bands participating in this year’s Porchfest, who are donating their time, are listed on the website with their set time, location and short bio.
Scheduled for Saturday 9/22, with a rain date of Sunday 9/23, Porchfest kicks off at noon at Booskerdoo Coffee and Bakery Company on Memorial Drive. This year, there are 72 bands on 18 porches, up from 46 bands on 14 porches in 2017. With the map and schedule posted on their website, music lovers can plot their melodic journey through the town on foot, bicycle or car. With porches in all quadrants of Asbury Park, sets are 45 minutes, with a 15 minute break in between. Plenty of time to get to the next porch!
One hundred percent of net proceeds from this event, gathered through donations and the sale of tee shirts, will go to local charities. In 2017, Porchfest raised $5,000 for the Asbury Park Environmental and Shade Tree Commission and Puerto Rico hurricane relief. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to Interfaith Neighbors and The Public Arts Commission of Asbury Park in partnership with the Arts Coalition of Asbury Park.
So, as beach going time comes to end for another year, make plans to spend an afternoon enjoying the start of fall weather while listening to great local music, enjoying the colorful neighborhoods of Asbury Park and hanging out with new and old friends who appreciate everything living at the Jersey Shore has to offer.
For more information on Porchfest and a map and schedule of the musical events, go to www.apporchfest.org.