T’Burg Porchfest returns for a second year

By Elaine Springer
Tompkins Weekly

 

Trumansburg Porchfest returns for the second year this Saturday, June 16, from noon to 5 p.m. This year’s Trumansburg Porchfest will host 40 bands including Laila Belle, Janet Batch, Toivo, the Darts, and the Mary Ott Band. The Trumansburg Afterschool Program kids will also have face painting, a lemonade and water stand, and egg shaker making.

In addition to the official Porchfest bands, there will be a pre-Porchfest show at Felecia’s Atomic Brewhouse and a post-Porchfest show at Little Venice. Felecia’s will feature Jeff Claus, Judy Hyman, Aaron Lipp, and Sally Freund in their beer garden from 10 a.m. until noon, and Little Venice will feature A Fine Line outside on their sidewalk at 5 p.m.

Porchfest provides an opportunity for local musicians to showcase their talent on the porches of homes in celebration of their community. Originating in Ithaca in 2007, Porchfest has become popular across the United States. According to the Ithaca Porchfest website, “Porchfest has grown not just in Ithaca but around the continent. There are more than 60 other Porchfests that we know of in the U.S. and Canada. More than two dozen of those had their first Porchfest in 2016.”

The Trumansburg Porchfest was born a year later, and in the same enthusiastic community spirit that both Porchfest and Trumansburg share. Co-organizer Amelia Sauter notes, “When we decided to organize the first Trumansburg Porchfest last year, the response from community members was “We’ve all been talking about it for years! Trumansburg is the perfect village for a Porchfest!” Porchfest provides an opportunity for neighbors to come together, whether hosting music on their porch, volunteering to put up signs, or strolling on the streets to enjoy all of our local talent.”

Trumansburg Porchfest enjoyed great success in 2017, highlighting not only local talent, but also the neighborhoods, storefronts, and spirit of the Trumansburg community. Of the success of the event, co-organizer Nana Monaco says, “I love Trumansburg and our community, and Porchfest is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our local musicians and take advantage of the walkable and beautiful neighborhoods. The inaugural porchfest last year was a huge success! Lots of people came out on a beautiful day to enjoy the music and our thriving downtown. It was great to see such support for our Main Street businesses.”

Porchfest organizer Amelia Sauter remarks, “Trumansburg Porchfest brings the community together through music!” Indeed the community spirit of Trumansburg is felt all around Trumansburg, and especially in the homes and on the porches of band hosts. Band host Kate Frazer Devokaitis notes, “Music, tradition, and community are some of our family’s core values, and Porchfest embodies all three. We host bands because it gives us a chance to see friends, discover new music and celebrate the neighborhood we love.”

This year, Trumansburg Porchfest coincides with the Ithaca is Gorges Half Marathon, which begins on the Ulysses side of the Black Diamond Trail, and it is anticipated there will be a good number of racers and their supporters will come back to Trumansburg to enjoy the village and Porchfest. The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a show your bib and save program, of which many Trumansburg area businesses are participating. The Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce would like to remind Porchfest participants that there is so much to do, see, and eat in Trumansburg, that can be enjoyed before, during, and after the event!

Trumansburg Porchfest will take place rain or shine on June 16 from noon until 5 p.m. Parking is not allowed on the side streets, so visitors can park in the municipal lot on Elm Street, at the Trumansburg Farmers Market, or on Main Street where permitted. The band schedule and an interactive map have been posted on the event’s website at tburgporchfest.com, and a limited number of printed maps will be available at Good to Go! Trumansburg Market and Felicia’s Atomic Brewhouse and Bakery.

The Trumansburg Chamber of Commerce is officially hosting the event this year, with some funding provided by a Tompkins County Tourism Program Community Celebration Grant. Sponsors include the Hart and Homes Real Estate Team, Little Venice, the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, Hazelnut Kitchen, Good to Go! Trumansburg Market, Trumansburg Shur-Save, Tompkins Trust Company, Atlas Bowl, Trumansburg Wine and Spirits, Mary Bouchard, CPA, PLCC, Felicia’s Atomic Brewhouse and Bakery, Sundrees, and Word of Mouth Catering.