The Fostoria neighborhood in Vicksburg is inviting the community to come out and sit a spell for the inaugural Porchfest.

The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 along Drummond Street.

“Porchfest is an all volunteer community focused acoustic music festival where front porches become stages for the day and musicians of all different acoustic genres perform on the front porches in the neighborhoods,” organizer Elizabeth Nelson said.

The grassroots event started in Ithaca, New York, in 2007, Nelson said, and has since taken off in the U.S. and Canada.

“From what I understand, there are over 100 communities that are hosting these events and we (Vicksburg) are number 118,” Nelson said, with Vicksburg being the first city in Mississippi to host a Porchfest.

“We are excited about this,” Nelson said. “When we first put the concept out to the Vicksburg community, we very quickly had 20 musicians who volunteered to play for the day. 

“We also have a lot of local sponsors,” she said, adding many have assisted with everything from covering expenses to loaning equipment.

“The local businesses and the city of Vicksburg stepped up very generously to help us fund the event, so Porchfest has been pretty well received across the community,” Nelson said.

Throughout the day, professional and amateur musicians will perform music representing a variety of acoustic genres, which will include blues, country and some 80s and 90s rock with an acoustic flair.

“I think there will be something for everyone,” she said.

An all day event

In addition to the musical performances, eventgoers can purchase from food and beverage stations that will be set up along Drummond Street.

“Martin’s At Midtown will be doing a beer garden. The Knights of Columbus will be grilling burgers. The Gumbo Pot will be offering Cajun food, and the Piazza Family will serve snacks,” Nelson said.

Drummond, as well as Harris and Finney streets, will be barricaded off so people can leisurely walk and enjoy all the musical performances. The event will also include 14 artist vendors, kid friendly activities, and historic information about the architecture of Fostoria.

Some seating will be available, Nelson said, but chairs and blankets are welcome.

The city’s motor coach, Nelson said, will provide free shuttle service from downtown to Fostoria and back throughout the day. 

Parking lots included as stops are the city downtown parking garage behind Peterson’s; the Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal parking lot; the BancorpSouth parking lot on Monroe; Martin’s At Midtown; the City Water and Gas office on Drummond and Guaranty Bank at Drummond and Cherry.

At 4 p.m., a jam session for all participating musicians will be held at the old Stained Glass Manor, 2430 Drummond St., Nelson said.

Following Porchfest, entertainment will continue at Martin’s At Midtown with two musical performances, which will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. 

“We hope everyone comes out to celebrate the music and artists,” Nelson said. “Front porch communities are just so unique because everybody knows everybody. You are out on your porch socializing, and it is a welcoming and inviting kind of environment.”

For more information, email fostorianeighborhood@gmail.com or vicksburgporchfest@gmail.com. For updates and a map visit the Vicksburg Porchfest Facebook page.