Porchfest FAQs

WHAT IS PORCHFEST WEST CENTRAL?Porchfest West Central is an afternoon of free music/arts performances at residences and businesses throughout the West Central neighborhood — it’s more of a scatter-site block party than it is a conventional music/arts festival. (The first Porchfest took place in 2007 in Ithaca, New York, and the event has now spread to many cities in the U.S. and Canada.) Everything you experience at Porchfest exists only because volunteers made it happen — all organizing and performing is done free of charge by folks who give of their time and talents to showcase local creativity to and foster community. An event map and complete schedule will be posted to this website closer to the event, once all performers and host sites have registered. Please note that there will not be a rain date, and plan accordingly for the weather.I
NFORMATION FOR HOSTSThank you for your interest in hosting Porchfest performers! We kindly ask that all hosts commit to doing the following:Provide adequate space for performers and attendees Provide access to electricity for performers, and drinking water if neededReach out to your neighbors before the event to let them know what to expect, help boost attendance, and avoid complaints about noise or parkingCommunicate with your slated performers at least a week prior to the event to coordinate logistics. You’ll receive their contact info once the schedule has been finalizedPerformers aren’t being paid, but can accept donations and sell merchandise. You can provide a small stipend to your performers if you wish, but that’s not requiredIf possible, provide some seating such as lawn chairs for attendees. Attendees will also be asked to bring chairs and blankets with them if they canProvide trash/recycling bins for attendeesWe’ll have restrooms available at several locations throughout the neighborhood — you don’t need to provide one. The event map will show those locationsTake some photos during your hosted event to share with the Porchfest organizers for possible use on social media or future advertisingPorchfest organizers will provide you with a “Porchfest Host” yard sign. We’ll be handling the event marketing and public relations, but you’re welcome to list the event on your social media. However, please note that you should use the official Porchfest West Central logo for any social media — contact the organizers at reachwestcentral@gmail.com to get the fileI
NFORMATION FOR PERFORMERSThank you for performing at Porchfest! The organizers will do everything we can to make it an enjoyable experience for you. Some things to note:You won’t be paid. Following in the tradition of Porchfests since the first one in 2007, no one who is involved gets paid — not the performers, not the hosts, not the organizers. Everyone volunteers his or her time and talents to allow this event to be free and open to the entire community. Having said that, we want to assure you that you can definitely accept donations and sell merchandise at your performance. We’ll provide a yard sign on which you can post your Venmo, a QR code, or other contact information, and we encourage you to have a tip jar for folks who would rather donate cash directly. In the information about Porchfest for attendees, we’ll strongly suggest that they donate!You and your host should communicate about logistics at least a week before the event. We’ll provide both hosts and performers with contact information as soon as the schedule is finalizedBecause this event takes place throughout a residential neighborhood (rather than in a dedicated event space), if you’re using amplification please keep the volume at a level that is respectful of neighbors. We also want to let you know that there may be other performances happening nearby (though we’ll try not to locate performers too close to each other)There’s no rain date for this event, so plan with your hosts for a covered space to perform if it’s neededPorchfest West Central organizers will be handling the event marketing and public relations, but you’re welcome to list the event on your social media. Please note that you should use the official Porchfest West Central logo for any social media — contact the organizers at reachwestcentral@gmail.com to get the fileI
NFORMATION FOR ATTENDEESWe couldn’t do it without you! The organizers, as well as the hosts and performers, are doing what they can to make this a great experience for everyone. Your role is to have an enjoyable afternoon, while being respectful of others and of the event spaces. Here are some things to know: Porchfest West Central is a free and volunteer-led event, and no one is getting paid to make it happen — not the hosts, not the organizers, and not the performers. That being said, the performers are allowed (and encouraged) to accept donations and sell merchandise. There will be tip jars at the site for cash, as well as signs with information on how you can donate electronically. Please be generous! Please exercise courtesy and common sense. Leave weapons, drones, illegal drugs, fireworks, and anything else that might be a danger or nuisance at home. If you plan to smoke or vape, please remove yourself to a distance that won’t bother other attendees. If you’re driving to a Porchfest site, be careful not to block driveways, sidewalks, or streets when parkingLeave dogs at home if possible — some of them don’t do well with crowds, noise, and the presence of other animals. If you must bring your dog, it has to be on a leash (that’s actually a Spokane County law)Porchfest West Central is an alcohol-free event — we don’t sell nor serve alcohol. Everyone in attendance is subject to all existing local ordinances regarding public alcohol consumption. That said, there are restaurants and breweries nearbySome of the event sites will have food trucks available, and there are restaurants and coffee shops throughout the neighborhood Hosts are being asked to provide some seating, but if you can, bring a folding chair or blanket to sit onMany of the Porchfest West Central locations are close to one another. Parking will be first come, first served, so please plan to get around on foot, bike, or Lime scooter if possiblePorchfest West Central is an outdoor event. There’s no rain date, and some past years have been hot, so come prepared. You’ve been outdoors before and know the drill — comfortable shoes, hats, sunscreen, umbrellas, drinking water, etc.We’ll have options for restrooms available at several locations throughout the neighborhood — hosts will mostly not be providing them. The event map will show where those are locatedThe City of Spokane has done a pretty good job of installing curb cuts in the West Central neighborhood, but please note that this event isn’t ADA compliant
IF YOU ENJOY PORCHFEST WEST CENTRALYou can help! Porchfest depends on volunteers for everything from setup to cleanup, so contact us at reachwestcentral@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining usConsider donating to REACH West Central so we can continue to sponsor Porchfest in future years — there’s a donation button located on the main page of our website, or you can send checks to PO Box 803, Spokane WA 99210. Your contributions are tax-deductible — we’re  a 501c3 nonprofit organization 

LEGAL DISCLAIMERREACH West Central provides information about Porchfest West Central in the form of a map of the locations, but each location is independently organized by the resident of the home or owner of the business that is hosting the performance. REACH West Central assumes no liability for any incidents, accidents, injuries, or damages that may occur at the individual locations. Attendees and participants are solely responsible for their own safety and conduct at each location — REACH West Central is not responsible for the actions or omissions of any individuals or organizations participating in the event. By attending or participating in Porchfest West Central, you agree to assume all risks associated with the event and release REACH West Central from any and all liability related to the event.