Porchfest Debuts in Historic Spartanburg Neighborhood
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, a unique music festival is about to bring history and harmony together in what is said to be an unforgettable community event. The festival is making its debut within the charming and historical Hampton Heights Historic District, bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the city. The event, dubbed “Porchfest”, is a nationally recognized music festival that typically takes place in historic neighborhoods.
The Historical Charm of Hampton Heights
Hampton Heights stands as Spartanburg’s oldest neighborhood, boasting stunning houses that date back to the late 1800s. Its historical charm isn’t merely a backdrop for this event, but a key component of what Porchfest aims to celebrate: community, history, and the arts. Hampton Heights is proudly locally and nationally recognized as a historic district.
The idea to host Porchfest came from Jennie Gilbert, a resident who aims to jazz up the neighborhood with the festivities. Gilbert stated: “Our neighborhood is really something to be proud of and unfortunately most people in Spartanburg, if you ask them they don’t know where Hampton Heights is or never even heard of us so we are really trying to change that, bring people to our neighborhood.”
Porchfest: Southern Charm Meets Musical Flair
Porchfest’s arrival in Spartanburg is eagerly anticipated by both residents and prospective visitors. “We are super excited to bring Porchfest to Spartanburg”, Gilbert said. The festival promises live music performances by local and regional bands, delicious local food, and spirits. Astonishingly, the festival features music performances right on the neighborhood porches, giving the event its unique name and appeal. The event is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on September 15th along West Hampton Avenue.
Contributing to the Community
Although the Porchfest is a free event open to the community, there will be food, drinks, and merchandise, like t-shirts for sale. The proceeds from these sales will support community beautification projects, such as tree planting and new street sign additions.
Speaking of the significance of preserving historic neighborhoods amidst continued development, Gilbert said, “with so much progress and change coming to Spartanburg a lot of times old places can be pushed to the side for new modern developments, and we feel that these homes tell the story of Spartanburg and we hope that when people come to Porchfest they will say, ‘Wow! Old places are really worth saving and preserving.’”
Spartanburg is eagerly awaiting the sounds of music filling the old streets of Hampton Heights. Porchfest, with its unique concept, is expected to not only provide good music and a splendid time but also help in bringing communities together and highlighting the importance of historic districts in the city’s identity.
