Quincy Main Street has announced the return of Quincy Porchfest on Saturday, March 12 from 12 to 6 p.m.
The popular outdoor musical festival, now in its 10th year, features musicians playing on porches and other venues throughout the Quincy downtown historic district.
Founded in 2012 by Walter Kelleher, local resident and area drummer, Quincy Porchfest was the first of its kind in the state of Florida.
“I read in a Canadian music magazine about such events taking place up north, the first being in Ithaca, New York in 2007, and I thought it was a perfect fit for downtown Quincy,” says Kelleher, “So, the first year, I called up all the bands I knew. We all love to perform.”
The concept of the Porchfest is designed to bring area musicians and communities together in a celebration of fellowship. The event is a free-of-charge neighborhood walkabout.
Currently, the event is managed by Quincy Main Street, Inc. under the supervision of the Interim Director Theresa Sterling, the Main Street board of directors, and a group of volunteers.
“Quincy is the perfect setting for a Porchfest,” says Sterling, “Almost every house in the historic district has a porch and they are all located in beautiful, walkable neighborhoods.”
Over the years the event has gained momentum.
From its humble beginnings of a few bands being compensated only by tips from the audience, Quincy Main Street has been able to secure grant funding and sponsorships.
“This year we received program support from the Florida Division of Arts and Culture to present the music festival,” says board member Dawn McMillan, who has been instrumental in securing grant funding for the organization. “These grants are vital for small, rural areas such as ours to bring cultural programs and performances to the community.”
The event will kick-off at noon with the Tallahassee Swing Band playing under the bus pavilion at the soccer field north of the First Presbyterian Church. Other venues include the back porch of the Methodist Parsonage, the Gadsden Arts Center and Museum, the back patio of the Quincy Garden Club, Big Papa’s Chophouse restaurant, and private homes, all within walking distance.
The genres of music cover a wide range from Swing, Jazz, Latin, Soul, Funk, R&B, Americana, and
Zydeco, to Southern and Indie Rock.
Popular local bands performing will be the Disciples of Music, Below the Dam Band, Hot Mess, Ben Flournoy and Truly Blues, Mae West Band, The Heebie-Jeebies, Tallahassee Swing Band, Jerry Thigpen Trio, Rachel Hillman, Latin Soul, Hot Tamale, Ronnie Randolph, The Centenarians, and Pepper Drive.
Each band will play two sets so there will be plenty of opportunities to stroll about and hear each band.
The event will wrap-up with a concert from 4-6 p.m. by the 20-piece jazz and swing band, Thursday
Night Music Club, playing under the bus pavilion at the First Presbyterian Church soccer field.
Free hot dogs and hamburgers will be served courtesy of the Presbyterian Church.
Big Papa’s Chophouse on the Square at 18 North Adams St will be open for lunch and dinner. Southern
Fields Brewery will be pouring craft beer at the Quincy Garden Center courtyard.
Musician line-up and map are available at quincymainstreet.org/quincy-porchfest-2022 and will be available on the day of the event at the Quincy Main Street office (104-A North Adams Street), the
Gadsden Arts Center and Museum, Big Papa’s Chophouse, and at the individual porches.