Around Town

Milford PorchFest

Last year, on September 28th, a unique festival took place in Milford, the likes of which our Small City with a Big Heart had never seen. The festival, PorchFest, was a huge hit for the community and brought out hundreds of folks to take partin this annual celebration of music.

Local musicians entertained Milford residents on porches all around town.

PorchFest itself is an organic grassroots global initiative meant to develop community and bring together local musicians and residents for music and fun in the casual setting of the front porch. The town of Ithaca, NY hosted the very first PorchFest, founded by residents Lesley Greene and Gretchen Hildreth, in 2007. Since then, more than 130 communities in the United States and Canada have had their own Porchfests, and the event has also spread beyond North America.

Julie Nash, Milford director of Economic and Community Development, was the driving force behind bringing the event to town. Nash, who has attended several PorchFests in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, felt that it would be a great fit for Milford.

“I’d been thinking about it for a few years, and knowing how successful another music event, Make Music Day, was for Milford, in 2019 I finally pulled the trigger. There was a great response,” shared Nash. “It felt almost magical, like a giant block party. We left the commercialism out of it and made it very neighbor-friendly.”

According to Paige Miglio, Executive Director of Milford Arts Council (the MAC), the event was a huge success, a wonderful way to embrace what makes Milford so special. “The arts bring us together and music is a huge part of that,” said Miglio.

“Milford, a city with many musicians and Meg Pelletier-Tramuta, whose porch hosted those who appreciate music, was a perfect RumRunners, felt it was a very successful event. place for its very own PorchFest.” “It was amazing; I loved it. It was wonderful

The event, which ran from 1:00pm-6:00pm, and so much fun to see people get together to consisted of close to 70 bands, singers, and listen to music, dance, and sing along. Everyone instrumentalists of many different genres, was so happy, and I thought it was a positive and played on close to 70 front porches experience for the whole town.” around the city. Attendees walked, biked, Another popular local band, The Elwoods, or drove from house to house, enjoying the performed at the home of Michelle Kramer. “I different musical offerings, local bars and thought PorchFest was a brilliant idea and a restaurants, or even having picnics along the great way to bring music to the community,” way. Some homes hosted multiple bands said band frontman Tom Intelisano. “The throughout the day while others hosted Elwoods totally enjoyed our location and hosts. one. At one home the popular local band I’m hoping we can do it again.” Kids and adults alike took the time to pause, RumRunners played twice! Attendance at Milford’s 2019 PorchFest Shop Small. Shop Local. listen, and relax together in music. All Bohemian High events Mention this ad and receive 10% OFF Your Purchase are held at The Grove CT

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exceeded expectations, with at least several hundred people participating in the fun. It is estimated that approximately 75% of the people attending were Milford residents, and the other 25% came in for the day from out of town. According to Pelletier-Tramuta, whose downtown location lent itself to foot traffic that day, “Some people came on the train, and it gave them the chance to see the downtown. Some were even able to visit the Milford Historical Society and learn about Milford’s history.”

At the time of this article’s writing it is not known whether there will be a PorchFest in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Nash, since there is not a great deal of lead PorchFest attendees traveled throughout Milford’s neighborhoods to enjoy the day.

time required for the event to be successful, there is a chance of it happening. Those interested can follow the Discover Milford page on Facebook for any updates on a possible 2020 PorchFest in our city. —Shaileen Kelly Landsberg