APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Appleton neighborhood Tuesday night brought the music to the streets, and the porches.
“Local musicians and a free event, who can turn that down,” said James Bacon, co-organizer of Porchfest.
Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood’s “Porchfest” started out as just an idea during COVID. An event the neighborhood association spent weeks planning .
“We just kind of kept talking about it and thought you know what better time in the summer, we might be able to get outdoors again and be with people even if there is still some kind of things we need to be cautious of,” said Bacon.
The idea grew into nine local musicians, setting up stage on the front porches. With music good enough to get your foot tapping, and all ages dancing.
“There’s a lot of variety in the bands,” said Jesse Rothe of Oshkosh.
“Having the local artists, some of them I know, so it’s pleasant to walk around and hear all the styles of music,” said Victoria Hall of Appleton.
While everybody came out to enjoy the music, neighbors tells FOX 11 the best part was getting to see each other again.
“This is a way for all of us to reconnect, I love it,” said Hall.
“I think it’s nice to just have people around, hanging out and doing stuff,” said Clifford Revels of Appleton.
Bacon, is a New England transplant from the Midwest. His family moved to Appleton just before the start of the pandemic. He said getting the neighbors together either for the first time ever, or in awhile was the number one goal.
“Events like this really bring connections within people and make neighborhoods what they really are. A connection of people that share a common space, that get to know each other and share the diverseness that exists among the people.”
And the new goal, is to grow the event each year.
“We were able to get nine musicians out here tonight, and who knows maybe in the future we can get more.”
The three block concert started at dinner time and lasted for two hours.
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