Grand Porch Party

Submitted by Nastinia Bailey on June 10, 2012 - 8:54pm
Smart model for a neighbourhood event matches musicians and porches

It's such a brilliant idea: ask for volunteer musicians and volunteered porches in a designated residential area and then match them up on a summer afternoon for hours of neighbourly fun. Today was the second annual Grand Porch Party here in Uptown West Waterloo neighbourhood and it was even better than last year. Over 30 musicians and over 20 porches. The sun shone, the big shade trees welcomed, and the sidewalks were full of happy people.

Everywhere I looked I saw people bumping into people they knew: hugging, admiring babies, catching up on the latest renovations, comparing notes on the bands they had just heard and offering free iced tea. I was stationed behind a table selling beverages and Shane's Oat Bars so I was not free to roam but I had a great spot to people-watch.

We're now becoming known as "the neighbourhood with the Grand Porch Party."

What events are working well in your neighbourhoods? This one's a beautiful success.

Nina

 

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Grand Porch Party Submitted by Anthony Reinhart on June 14, 2012 - 10:22am.

Grand Porch Party 2012 was indeed a fantastic community event, Nina. Thanks for writing about it.

As I wandered from porch to porch, I found many attendees were struck not only by the variety and quality of the music, but by the palpable and positive sense of community the event engendered.

The only thing I would add is a very big thank you to Tenille Bonoguore, without whom the Grand Porch Party would not exist. Tenille not only created the concept, but did the hard work of turning her idea into something tangible. With help from a small but committed band of volunteers, she has devoted countless hours to organizing, promoting and improving this event, for no other purpose than the enjoyment of the rest of us.

The Grand Porch Party is a gift to the community, and one we can all applaud.

Grand Porch Party Submitted by Nastinia Bailey on June 16, 2012 - 11:44am.

Yes, Anthony. Tenille planned it beautifully. I thought maybe it was an idea she had seen somewhere else. Now I'm curious if Waterloo's was the first one or not. Here is the website to find out more about the GPP http://grandporchparty.wordpress.com/ and how to get involved in next year's.

Front Porch Days Submitted by Jennifer Laurie (not verified) on June 19, 2012 - 9:30am.

The town of Kyle, Texas holds a similar event (http://www.frontporchdays.com/) and in South Fountain in Springfield Ohio, the first Saturday of October is South Fountain's Front Porch Festival (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Fountain_Avenue_Historic_District#Porch_Festival)   Here in Goderich, the one of the Celtic Festival organizers was talking about a porch series as their have been several people interested.  I think it's a great idea!  We have a huge porch on our house and the thought of musicians and guests mingling in the summertime makes me very happy!  Glad your event was such a success!