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What is Porchfest?
Porchfest is a free music festival that is taking place on the front porches of neighborhoods in small towns and large cities across the nation, and it’s coming to Grants Pass again this summer!
Porchfest is a revival of a tradition from the past, when time moved a little more slowly and folks gathered on their porches to visit with neighbors, family, and friends, brought out the guitar or fiddle, and made music together.
This family-friendly, free, community-building event, the first in Oregon, started in 2017. This annual event will feature local musicians performing a variety of music genres on the front porches of historic Grants Pass homes. Porchfest occurs in the NW Washington Boulevard area of town, with the participating streets closed down to vehicle traffic.
Is Porchfest really free?
Yes – thanks to your donations, the generosity of our sponsors, and dedicated volunteers, we are able to present this event at no cost to our guests.
Our musicians donate their time for this event, you can choose to tip the performers to show your appreciation of their generosity.
Besides the music, what else is there?
There will be a marketplace for artists and crafter booths located on the median strip on Washington Blvd. Vendors with delicious food will be located in designated areas (please check Event Program); or bring your own picnic [no alcohol permitted].
Many of the recipients of the Porchfest funds will be having booths at the event. Please look out for booths for CASA of Josephine County, Family
Solutions, Maslow Project, Our Foster Kids, and The Family Nurturing Center.
Of course, there is a raffle with many donated prizes.
How do artists, crafters, or non-profits request a booth in the Marketplace?
Follow this link to our form to request a booth: click here.
The fee for participating in the Marketplace is a one-time fee of $40. (Fee is waived for non-profits.)
What should I bring with me? What should I leave at home?
We advise you to bring folding chairs and blankets for seating in Lawnridge Park and in front of porches.
Most of our vendors accept both cash and credit cards, so bring one or both for food and merchandise purchases.
Please consider the temperature before bringing your pet; the asphalt can become quite hot, especially later in the day.
Bring a picnic! – outside food and drinks permitted, although no alcoholic beverages please.
Is Porchfest walkable? And is it pet and child friendly?
Yes – our route is only a few blocks long, and the streets where bands are performing are closed to make this event especially pedestrian, child and pet friendly. Friendly, well-behaved dogs on leashes are more than welcome.
We love kids and kids love Porchfest – all of our music is family friendly, and Lawnridge Park has plenty of room for a little running around.
Is Porchfest accessible for those with disabilities?
There is limited handicapped parking in the Bethany Presbyterian Church at NW 5th Street entrance and NW Hawthorne Ave next to Lawnridge Park.
Is there a schedule or map available?
Schedules and maps are provided to visitors on Porchfest day at the festival, on our Facebook page and Web site as we get closer to the event.
If the streets are closed, where do I park?
Normal street parking outside of the event area is available to all. However, this is a very popular event, please consider carpooling, walking or biking to the event.
What vendors will be there for food?
There will be various food vendors at the event.
Who organizes this event?
The organizational effort is led by Rogue Gateway Rotary and our amazing volunteers. Please consider helping us. We’d love to have you on our team. Contact us at the following email: [email protected]
Can I purchase alcoholic beverages? Is alcohol allowed?
No. Alcohol is not allowed and it will not be sold by any vendor.
What about restroom facilities?
Restroom facilities are located near Lawnridge Park and on 4th Street.
Do you have a lost and found?
Yes, at the event information booth.
Why do you have sponsors?
Porchfest Grants Pass is an annual charitable event, with net proceeds benefitting youth programs in Josephine County.
It is through our generous sponsors that we can make this event available to our community.
Sponsors receive cost effective advertising in the lead up to Porchfest, goodwill in the community, boost their community profile (more than 4,000 attendees in 2023), and support local youth non-profits.
How is my donation used?
Each year we chose local youth-oriented charities to receive the donations raised during Porchfest.
Who are the recipients of donations for Porchfest 2024?
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children)
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) speak for foster children in the courtroom, representing solely the child’s best interests.
CASA of Josephine County (jococasa.org)
Family Solutions
Family Solutions provides mental health services, creating opportunities for healing with children, adults, and families.
Maslow Project
Maslow Project offers a variety of support options for youth and their families to learn, create, job search, and connect.
Maslow Project | Help for homeless youth and their families (maslowproject.com)
Our Foster Kids
Our focus includes activities to raise the self-esteem of foster children as well as providing for their unfunded needs and thereby helping them realize that they are vital and valuable members of the community.
The Family Nurturing Center
Our programs and services increase family strengths and well-being, enhance child development, and support family safety so that caregivers and children can thrive.
WE FOLLOW A CORE MODEL THAT RELIES ON 3 THINGS:
1) Therapeutic Classrooms for children, 2) Home Visitation for parents, and 3) Parent Education
Home – The Family Nurturing Center
If I want to make a donation, is it tax deductible?
Yes, your donation is tax-deductible. Donations are distributed by RG Rotary Foundation.
No. Organizers, performers, porch hosts, and others all participate as volunteers and all give freely of their time, talents, resources, and hospitality as a gift to the neighborhood, the community, and to each other. Musicians are free to put out a tip jar or sell their music.
Are you going to have a raffle this year?
Yes, there will be a raffle.
Is there a Hashtag?
Use #GPporchfest for all Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts. (Alternatively, you can use #porchfestgrantspass, #porchfest, or #porchfest[year].)
Can Porchfest be cancelled or postponed?
Extreme weather conditions are out of our control and may cause temporary delays, postponement, or cancellation of this event.
What if I didn’t attend last year?
Porchfest Volunteers are already making plans for 2024! Please mark your calendar for Saturday, June 15th, 2024
We Couldn’t Do It Without Them
