Newspaper Page Text
Virginia Highland Porchfest set to rock the neighborhood
Byjudie Levy
On Saturday, May 14, Virginia
Highland Porchfest will rock the
neighborhood in a celebration of music
and community.
This all-day event will kick-start with
a Rock n Run, in which community
members will run a mile dressed as their
favorite musicians and bands. Then,
local musicians and bands will take the
stage on porches throughout Virginia
Highland. Porchfest goers can also
enjoy a variety of local food trucks and
vendors.
The second-annual Virginia
Highland Porchfest is presented by
White Claw Seltzer, 14 Hands Wine,
Tequila Herradura, and Stella Artois. It
is organized by the Virginia Highland
District Association (VHDA), and
additional local business and resident
sponsors make this event possible.
Porchfest is one of VHDA’s major
fundraising events to support its mission
to enhance the safety and success of the
Virginia Highland business corridor
while bringing together residents and
community members.
When VHDA was a new organization
in the fall of 2020, Christina Carrick, the
Director of Community Outreach, said
she wanted to host a Porchfest. “There’s
something personal about welcoming
neighbors to come together to listen to
some great music on your porch. It’s
camaraderie. It’s pure. It’s grassroots.
It’s what took place in neighborhoods
organically many years ago. I wanted that
in my neighborhood,” said Carrick.
Taking inspiration from the Oakhurst
Porchfest, Carrick revved up the VHDA
team, and they started planning the
event in October 2020. Unsure of the
outlook for COVID-19 in May of 2021,
they continued planning knowing that it
would be an outdoor event. According to
Carrick, “All I was hoping for was a few
porches and bands that would be available
to play, and maybe it would draw a
good little crowd of people that enjoyed
some free music. What we got was over
40 porches, 50+ bands, incredible food
trucks, top-notch vendors, and over
20,000 fest-goers. Mind-blowing.”
This year, Porchfest is turning up the
volume, with 70 bands playing on over
55 porches throughout the neighborhood.
With this expansion, VHDA has extended
the event by one hour, has obtained
permits to close Barnett Avenue for food
trucks and vendors, and has introduced
a VIP area to the event. There will also
be a Kids Corner with fun activities.
Although “there are new additions and
accompanying nerves to this year’s VaHi
Porchfest,” Carrick emphasized, “an
overall giddiness and excitement” for this
year’s event.
Residents and visitors can plan for
Porchfest by visiting VHDA’s website
(virginiahighlanddistrict. com), where
they can sign up for the Rock and
Run, purchase VIP tickets, scout the
merchandise pre-sale, and sign up to
volunteer.
As Carrick stated, “We know this
community. We know and feel their
support and readiness. The excitement is
palpable. People have been ready since last
year’s ended. We’re ready!”
Judie Levy is director of communications for
the Virginia Highland District community
organization, which organizes Porchfest.
Visit virginiahighlanddistrict. com. QH
BEING A PROUD SPONSOR OF
CHRISTIE’S
INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
evBvnum
c. 404.423.8025 o. 404.480.4663 | AshleyB@AnsleyRE.com
ANSLEY
VIRGINIA HIGHLAND
PORCHFEST
YOUR VIRGINIA HIGHLAND NEIGHBOR &
TOP PRODUCING AGENT SINCE 2003
ANSLEYRE.COM | 952 PEACHTREE ST. SUITE 100, ATLANTA, GA 30309 | 404.480.4663
All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. If you have any existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal housing opportunity.
Virginia Elighland
Porchfest
AtlantalntownPaper.com
MAY 2022 | INT0WN 27