By Mia Fishman
The sweet Georgia air has a crisp autumn feel to it, the leaves of the great oaks are morphing into eccentric golden hues and Historic Athens is gearing up for their annual live music event Porchfest set to kickoff this Sunday at noon.
Porchfest has been praised by attendees for his ability to illuminate the history and character that stems from the Classic City’s prolific music scene with over 200 local performers. The multitude of talent that the event brings puts on a diverse array of shows on front porches across seven different Athens communities.
Admission to Porchfest, which is presented by Cafe Racer and several other neighborhood sponsors, is entirely free and the jam sessions won’t cease until 8 p.m.
“Ultimately, the most unique part about Porchfest is the scope of it,” said executive director of Historic Athens Tommy Valentine. “Since you have different options every hour and since people are going to make different choices, it becomes this kind of choose your own adventure situation.”
The event itself is miles wide, spanning from the southwest corner of Normaltown to the banks of the North Oconee River. Homeowners across Athens-Clarke County volunteer their front porches to performers of various genres, attracting thousands of different audience members.
“Because of the generosity of our hosts, we have a lot of stages to fill,” Valentine said.
According to attendees and event organizers, Porchfest has become an instrumental gateway for developing musical artists, especially those with Athens roots. Every year, Historic Athens has nurtured over a dozen performers who have utilized Porchfest as their first gig.
Cameron Washburn, who says he is no stranger to the “rich musical history” in Athens, is making his Porchfest debut this year alongside his band, The Rays, and his daughter, Sarah, who is a second-year student at the University of Georgia.
“I think it’s a great place for a lot of young up and coming, or just young people, to try out their stuff,” Washburn said. “A safe place, a good, welcoming environment. I think it’s just a great place to start.”
Why I Wrote the Story:
As a journalist, the aspect of community is a value that is extremely important to me. Historic Athens Porchfest is an event that welcomes every corner of the Athens community. Previewing Porchfest was an opportunity for me to grow was a beat reporter all while incorporating the diversity of the neighborhoods around me. My coverage of Porchfest is linked on my Instagram, @frontpagebyfishman, as a highlight.