WEST CHESTER — While light rain showers cut attendance, hundreds who visited, strummed and sang at Porchfest had a great time.
Dozens of bands played beneath the shelter of porches and porticos in the borough’s south west, on Saturday. Event-goers danced and sang along on the brick sidewalks and in the barricaded streets.
With a wide grin on her face, Judy Curtain watched her daughter, Annalise, sing and play guitar solo.
“It’s colorful as we splash in the puddles,” Judy Curtain said. “It’s exciting music, with all the different colors of West Chester.”
Four-year old Hudson Windle received a face painting from Stefanie Birl, of Birl Girl Designs.
“It’s family friendly and brings the community together,” Birl said, about Porchfest. “It lets people know about local bands and different genres of local music.”
Mother Brenna Windle said that the event gives artists a chance to express themselves. Husband Seth said that Porchfest allows local businesses to give back to the community.
Son Hudson chose to become the Incredible Hulk. He said that the glitter looked pretty.
Will Chapman sings and plays guitar for the Bluesy, Americana and Roots band, Shoeshiners.
He said that playing to a sea of happy faces is a blast.
“You are exposing your music to new potential fans,” he said. “Making music outdoors is always the best thing.”
Historian Tom Walsh was sitting on his portico on West Miner Street eating lunch and listening to the music drifting from across the closed street.
“You can be close and see people,” Walsh said. “You are not in some stadium miles away.”
“You can walk around the neighborhood to find all kinds of music.”
Brittany Torrance got some small town vibes and said Porchfest is just one of many wonderful events at our fingertips.
“I’m giving my kids a magical childhood and it exposes us to local music,” Torrance said.
The West Chester Cooperative was serving up strawberry shortcake, much to the delight of music lovers.
Nelly Freed and Margaret Hudgings both said that Porchfest was a great community event.
Former Mayor Jordan Norley was across the street with a model train set he said was the West Chester Metro Porch Train. Norley has worked hard for 10 years to bring the train back to West Chester.
“It’s nice to see the kids light up,” Norley said. “They get excited about electric trains and learn a little bit about what will be our future.”
Dave March is the public information officer the West Chester Police and Fire Departments.
“It’s spectacular music and everybody is having a good time,” March said.
Carmalena Stoltzfus Iyengar was handing out free samples of soft pretzels for Dutch Country Concessions. She said business was steady despite the rain.
“Giving out samples is so important to our business,” she said. “We are really proud of our product.”
The flavors offered were: regular; garlic; and cinnamon sugar. There were several food options for attendees and seemingly no one went hungry.
