Joliet's Annual Porch & Park Music Fest Returns To Cathedral Area

(The following edited press release is from event organizer Tim Placher.)

JOLIET ? Joliet's third annual ?Porch & Park Music Fest,? a free, family-friendly community music and arts event, is Saturday, August 17.

"Porch & Park? is a way to bring the community together to celebrate Joliet?s vibrant music and arts scene in one of our most beautiful and historic neighborhoods. It features some of our best local performers along with several touring musicians, including artists this year from Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, Alabama, Wisconsin, and Washington," remarked Joliet musician and event organizer, Tim Placher.

Porch music begins at 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and an evening concert at Preservation Park runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Porch & Park Music Fest takes place in Joliet?s Cathedral Area, and features live music on seven historic home front porches during the afternoon, followed by an evening concert at Preservation Park, 710 Taylor St., at the center of the historic area.

All the porch and park locations are in close walking proximity. Afternoon activities also include local artists, kids? activities, and an old-fashion lemonade stand. A ?Bluegrass Golf Cart? will travel the neighborhood with a traditional string band popping up at various locations for impromptu jams.

The free event is made possible with the generous help of Joliet Park District, Cathedral Area Preservation Association, neighborhood homeowners, a cast of volunteers, and the University of St. Francis. Local patrons and generous sponsors help keep the event free while also compensating the talented performers who fill the neighborhood with music.

This year?s business partners include Blue Ribbon Products, Turk Furniture, D?Arcy Buick GMC, Milano Bakery, Contractor Source, Joliet Area League Of Women Voters, Bishops Hill Winery and RME Sound.

What does it cost to attend?

?Porch & Park? is a free event.

What?s the music line-up for Porch & Park 2024?

The Smiley Tillmon Band (Chicago Blues); Crooked Tails; The Rebel Eves (Michigan band); Nashville musicians Bonner Black, Makena Hartlin, Robby Hecht, Grace Pettis; Michigan musicians Grace Theisen, Katie Pederson and Jilian Linklater; John Condron and The Old Gang Orchestra; Chicago Blues Angels; Led Zeppelin Valhalla Band; 3rd City Brass Band; Mr. Lucky and His Orchestra Of Tomorrow; The Giblin Twins with Steve Haberichter; Irish Session Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends; Pete Jive; Amanda and Michael Roach; Chloe Briese and Ryan Zobel; Becky and Tom Maslowski; and Uncle Sexy and The Nephews.

What other porches/yards are there?

Two porches/yards are hosting local artists & booths, including nationally-recognized scrap metal artist Steve Kost. Two adjacent porches/yards are hosting a variety of kids? activities and lemonade stand.

How does it work?

Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, visitors can stop at Preservation Park (710 Taylor St.) or any porch location to pick up a porch map and schedule. People start at any porch and rotate at their own pace to sample music at one or all the locations. Pack your own chairs, snacks and refreshments for the day. Food will also be available for purchase at one of the porch locations. Porch music and activities begin at 1:30 PM until 5 PM; music at Preservation Park begins at 5:30 p.m.

How do I find the porch locations?

You can pick up a map at the tent at Preservation Park on Aug. 17 starting at 1 p.m., or at any porch. All info, locations and schedule can be found http://www.porchandparkmusicfest.com

What houses are included in the porch route?

601 Campbell St. (Music)

617 Campbell St. (Music)

613 Buell Ave. (Music)

602 Western Ave. (Music)

606 Western Ave. (Art)

615 Western Ave. (Art)

616 Western Ave. (Music)

619 Western Ave. (Lemonade)

621 Western Ave. (Kids? activities)

708 Western Ave. (Music)

903 Western Ave. (Music)

Bluegrass Golf Cart ? various porch locations

What kind of music is there? This year, we?ve got Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk, Duos, Brass & Jazz, Irish, Americana, the ?Nashville Porch,? featuring four singer/songwriters from Music City, and the ?Michigan Porch,? featuring three performers from the Great Lakes State

Can I walk between all the porches? Yes, the porches are all located within a few blocks of each other as well as being within easy walking distance of Preservation Park.

What about food and refreshments?

Bring your own chairs, snacks and refreshments for the porch music and the park concert.

Can I buy food?

The Moe Joe?s Cajun and Caribbean food truck will be at Preservation Park with a large menu of award-winning food choices available for purchase.

Where should I park?

Street parking is abundant through the Cathedral Area, plus in parking lots adjacent to Preservation Park and University of St. Francis.

Is the event family-friendly?

Yes, one of the porches is hosting kids' activities on the porch and yard. In the evening, Preservation Park has a large playground right near the stage area for the kids, and our talented hooper/flow-artist friend Emily Bandera is bringing a bunch of hula-hoops and other fun items for the kids (and young-at-heart) to enjoy.

Where can I find information, maps, FAQ and schedule? All the info is available at http://www.porchandparkmusicfest.com