Fulton Porchfest started taking shape in 2019, but the onset of the Pandemic set us back so instead in 2020 we threw a non-contact Fulton Chalkfest. That was a blast, but it was time to get back to Porchfest. We hit the ground running and had the first Fulton Porchfest in the summer of 2021.
Porchfest's overall are a whole different story. They are now worldwide! We borrowed this from the page of the original and very first Porchfest in Ithaca, NY.
"Porchfest began in 2007, inspired by some outdoor ukulele playing and a conversation between neighbors Gretchen Hildreth and Lesley Greene. They came up with the idea for it that day and gathered 20 bands to make it happen in September of that year. The number of bands has increased every year since then, with 185 in 2016.
The team has grown too. Andy Adelewitz mercifully joined the organizing team in 2013. Lesley’s husband Robbert wrote software to assist in scheduling the bands in 2014. Katie Foley has been the food truck organizer since 2018. We now get help on the day of Porchfest from close to 100 volunteers.
We received sponsorship support from Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services from 2011 to 2019, which was extremely helpful, as Lesley and Gretchen were paying out of pocket for most of the expenses before that. We receive generous donations from the community as well that we collect at Thompson Park during Porchfest and online through our website. And let’s not forget to mention the many bands who play each year for their neighbors and visitors. That’s what it’s really all about!"
Porchfest's overall are a whole different story. They are now worldwide! We borrowed this from the page of the original and very first Porchfest in Ithaca, NY.
"Porchfest began in 2007, inspired by some outdoor ukulele playing and a conversation between neighbors Gretchen Hildreth and Lesley Greene. They came up with the idea for it that day and gathered 20 bands to make it happen in September of that year. The number of bands has increased every year since then, with 185 in 2016.
The team has grown too. Andy Adelewitz mercifully joined the organizing team in 2013. Lesley’s husband Robbert wrote software to assist in scheduling the bands in 2014. Katie Foley has been the food truck organizer since 2018. We now get help on the day of Porchfest from close to 100 volunteers.
We received sponsorship support from Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services from 2011 to 2019, which was extremely helpful, as Lesley and Gretchen were paying out of pocket for most of the expenses before that. We receive generous donations from the community as well that we collect at Thompson Park during Porchfest and online through our website. And let’s not forget to mention the many bands who play each year for their neighbors and visitors. That’s what it’s really all about!"