The 12th annual Westhaven Porchfest event will take place on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, in Westhaven. The daytime events with Free music will take place from 2pm to 6pm and the evening concert on Magli Green from 7pm to 10pm. The FAQ below will explain all the details!
Q: What is Porchfest?
A: Porchfest is Westhaven’s annual music festival that consists of live music being played on front porches and in other areas of the community. All of the daytime music is Free!
Q. How did Porchfest get started?
A: Westhaven founding homeowner and co-founder of The Westhaven Foundation, Mark McCutcheon, read an article about a popular event in Ithaca, NY called Porchfest. He ran the idea by a few fellow music lovers and proposed the idea to folks with the HOA and Southern Land Company. The rest is history!
Q: How has Porchfest evolved over the past 12 years?
A: In the inaugural event, residents volunteered their porches and the event committee assigned musicians to those porches and then attendees gathered at the lake for a small-scale evening concert. The event grew in popularity over the years, requiring streets to be officially closed, hiring of police officers and a parking company to control traffic and parking, and a large group of volunteers to manage the event. In 2019, the event was scaled back to porch music only, with no evening concert. In 2020, amidst COVID, the event was called Parkfest and involved music in open spaces throughout the community, allowing attendees to spread out.
Q: What will Porchfest look like for 2023
A: This year’s event, which happens to be the 12th anniversary of the inaugural Porchfest event, will include components of the three most popular and successful parts of the event.
- Daytime Porch Music - We have music lined up for 26 porches. Check out the Daytime Sites portion of this website for a full listing.
- Parkfest - Check out the lineup under Daytime Sites for a full listing. Thank you to each park sponsor!
- Evening Concert - We are excited to announce that The Westhaven Foundation will be coordinating an evening concert featuring THE FRONTMEN. This will be a ticketed event. Attendees will be required to pre-purchase tickets. There will be options for VIP access and general admission. Chairs will be provided for both general admission and VIP. Outside food and beverages and personal chairs/blankets are not allowed within the concert area. This event is a fundraiser for The Westhaven Foundation, a 501(c)3!
Q: Is Porchfest just for residents of Westhaven?
A: No - music is meant to be shared! Porchfest is open to the public but there will not be a great deal of promotion for the daytime events outside of the community.
Q: Can I rent a golf cart?
A: Yes, Mikey's Motors is renting them for pick up on 9/29 and 9/30. Call 615-962-9265 to reserve today!
Q: How do I sign up or have my company sign up to be a sponsor?
A. This is a great opportunity for businesses to gain exposure from residents and everyone else who attends. If you have any specific questions regarding sponsorships, please contact Mark McCutcheon at mark@westhavenfoundation.org.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: Porchfest is a “rain or shine” event. In case of severe weather, event updates will take place via email and social media.
Q: How are musicians selected to perform?
A: The Porchfest planning committee evaluates and books musicians for parks. Musicians who are interested may email porchfest@southernland.com. Porch hosts will book their own porches.
Q: Where do I get a schedule of what porches are used, who is performing, and performance times?
A: Information will be available right here under Daytime Event.
Q: Will there be food and beverages available?
A: We encourage attendees to visit the Westhaven Village Center restaurants for a wide variety of dining options. There will be several food trucks at the Westhaven Residents’ Club during the day.
Q: How do people usually move around Westhaven to catch all the music?
A: We highly encourage people to walk or bike from one porch to the other. Street legal golf carts are allowed.
Q: Is it okay to drive my golf cart to each porch?
A: Yes, street legal golf carts are allowed.
Q: Where should my friends park who don’t live in Westhaven?
A: This is very important! There is ample street parking, however we encourage non-residents to park in the designated parking areas in Westhaven Village Center behind the Vanderbilt Health/First Bank buildings (1015 and 1025 Westhaven Blvd), Pearre Creek Elementary School (1811 Townsend Blvd) or the Westhaven Residents’ Club (401 Cheltenham Ave).
Q: I’d like to help with PorchFest. Where and how do I volunteer?
A: We are in need of volunteers. Visit www.westhavenfoundation.org for a link to sign up.
Q: Where will the restrooms be located?
A: Restrooms will be available at the Westhaven Residents’ Club and on Magli Green for the evening concert.
Q: What do I do if there is a medical emergency?
A: Call 911. If it is a non-life-threatening emergency call (615) 794-2513.
Q: Are pets allowed?
A: For the daytime activities they must be on a leash. While we love our pets, please leave them at home for the evening concert.
Q: Are you anticipating closing any streets? If so, which ones?
A: Only a small portion of Front Street will be closed between Oleander and Keats.
Q: Can I park on the street during the event?
A: If you live near the event area, we ask that you refrain from parking on the street the day of the event. If people attending Porchfest see a car parked on the street, they think it’s okay to park there and then our streets get clogged. Our number one priority is safety. We want emergency vehicles to be able to access every home in the community.
Q: Is it okay for my kids to sell popsicles, lemonade, and water?
A: Sure! We just encourage them to do so on sidewalks and not at the Residents’ Club.
Q: Will the Residents’ Club and Fit 2 be open during Porchfest?
A: Yes
We are excited about this year’s event and look forward to a great fall afternoon of music and fellowship!
Porchfest Planning Committee
