Porchfest 2021 Recap
It was hot, almost abrasilvey so.. But that didn’t stop Porchfest goers from getting out and enjoying the music. People gathered together under whatever shade they could find and listened intensively to the unique and variety filled line up at Porchfest 2021.
Courtney Searcy, the Program Director of Our Jackson Home spearheads the Porchfest event alongside the planning committee (Krisa Paul, Darren Lykes, Rob Griffith, Lisa Garner, Stedman Roebuck, Lauren Pritchard and Rebeccaa Creasy).
The 2021 731Day concert series went to extra lengths to ensure a fantastic day. From the route, to the food truck selection not a detail was spared. JPD blocked off the route between houses, so people could walk freely from stage to stage. Watching kids run and play and the overall relaxed atmosphere on the streets made it feel so idyllic, despite the heat.
When I first began my tenure here at theCO, I knew that the last week of July would be dedicated to Porchfest 2021 prep. Coming off of the tails of 2020, this mini concert series was a highly anticipated event. Planning on this scale in a pandemic world is not for the faint of heart, it takes a lot of chutzpah, the heart of a lion. It takes someone like Courtney Searcy.
This was her first time organizing the 4th annual Porchfest event. Instead of having almost a year to plan, she only had a few months, with serious planning beginning only in May. This spring they still weren’t sure if Porchfest was going to be able to happen. But when they got the go head, they dove head first into event planning.
I asked Courtney to describe Porchfest in three words, “Community, connection, and celebration.” That definitely defined the event, especially about halfway through the concerts. Every artist came to the stage and gave their all. As large as Porchfest has gotten, it still manages somehow to maintain the cozy charm and togetherness you imagine there would be in front porch jam sessions.
I spent the day helping setup the OJH merch booth, and photographing the performances. From folk, soul, rap and everything in-between the lineup offered a little something for everyone. My favorite moment was about halfway through the day at The Kernal’s stage. Cotton Cliffton joined him, and it seemed like at this point the crowd was the largest it had been. People and children sat in truck beds, on bicycles, laid out on blankets and even gathered just feet away from the musicians as they played.
I sipped on my iced drink from Turntable Coffee, and shared a piece of pizza from Moondog Makers & Bakers (limbo slice..if anyone was wondering) with Lisa Garner.
During that set, I really felt the folk poetry that is Porchfest. The togetherness of neighbors, sharing shade and breaking bread. I saw young, I saw old. Kids played and listened, adults swayed and hummed along. It was happy, relaxed and everything you could ever want out of an event like this.
As summer comes to a close, I think back fondly on this year's Porchfest event. “It can be difficult to bring a vision to life, but it's so much easier when the community comes together to make it happen.” says Courtney, “ I'm so grateful for all of the people who played a part in making the event run smoothly, especially the sponsors who invested in the event and ensured that we can support our local artists and secure street closures and other needs that make the event run smoothly, as well as theCO staff who provide logistical oversight and help staff the event.”
Courtney Searcey would also like to send a big thank you to Lt. Ellen Williams, who was a huge help in navigating street closures and volunteered her time to help block off streets the day of the event. There is something about seeing a community come together for just good ole fashion fun that makes you feel like just for a second, everything is ok in the world.
