Our West Bayfront's Porchfest: Five Years of Rocking the Neighborhood

Erin Phillips

The neighborhood of the West Bayfront will transform into a gigantic concert venue as 26 porches host various local music acts throughout the day for the fifth annual PorchFest. Prepare to walk, bike, or ride the free trolley to all the different properties to take in the true breadth of Erie's local music scene.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28

To celebrate the fifth year of successfully executing a massively collaborative local music event, the volunteers and residents of Our West Bayfront are featuring the number five: five musical acts per hour for five hours, with the finale happening at the Hagen History Center at 5 p.m., featuring the Barry King Blues Band.

The event, organized by West Bayfront residents Dave Tamulonis (40 Under 40 class of 2022) and Chuck Nelson, features local music throughout the day on porches around the West Bayfront and includes a variety of styles and genres. Scheduled for this year, among others, are Royek, Saturn to Brazil, Phunkademic, This American Song, Familiar Spirit, Piano Punk, Slim & Red, and Key West Express Lite. Festival goers are encouraged to walk, bike, or take the (free) trolley to enjoy the event.

Tamulonis expresses, "We're excited to bring the Porchfest back to the West Bayfront Neighborhoods. This event is the perfect celebration of people, places, and Erie's amazing local talent."

New to the event this year will be a historic group bike ride organized by the writer of this spotlight. Beginning from Gridley Park (598 Liberty St.) at 11 a.m. (an hour before the event kicks off), local history buff and writer Erin Phillips will lead a group bike tour stopping at a number of the homes/properties hosting music during the fest. This will allow concert-goers to learn more about the history and architectural style of those homes before they visit them to enjoy all the music.

Additionally, Gridley Park will be host to The Gridley Park Grub Hub with the folks from Erie Ale Works slinging some suds as well as multiple food trucks available to fuel festers as they meander between venues.

Nelson encourages folks to come enjoy the neighborhood, "Porchfest is just an awesome opportunity to get the neighbors out and share our neighborhood with others."

Noon to 5 p.m. // Various locations throughout the West Bayfront // For a full schedule and more information visit: ourwestbayfront.org