Celebrate the Arts in Mt Morris, IL
PORCHFEST
PORCHFEST
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PORCHFEST

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I Have a Porch (and want to host some music!)

Contribute to the venues that will bring Porchfest to life! And when we say porch, we're not exactly literalists here. Porches are great, of course, but so are stoops or yards or driveways. Anything allowing for a street-facing performance pretty much fits the bill.

For scheduling flexibility, registrants are asked to be open to any hour between 1 and 5pm for the performance time and an hour before hand for musician setup, though our goal remains just one performance per porch. So you’re just committing to one performer. The rest of the afternoon is your time to roam and enjoy the other music venues.

Please try to sign up your Porch by May 26th.


Hosts agree to:

• Offer generosity, hospitality, and good will.

• Confirm you live within the festival boundaries (see boundaries below).

• Assist musicians/bands with setup.

• Remain available for the duration of your slot, keeping the performance to its assigned time, and otherwise serving as the person in charge.

• Notify your neighbors of your participation in the event.

• Put out a trash can and recycle bin for your guests.

• Get the word out to everyone you know to drop by.


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ENCORE! PORCHFEST 2025
Boundaries:

North - Main Street
South - Brayton Road
West - Mulberry
East - Ogle Avenue
& Brayton east to Bruce

Including both sides of each street and intersection.
Residential locations include any area within these bounds.


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Host a musician or band on your Mt Morris porch — one you know or we’ll match you up.


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I Have a Band (or otherwise want to play!)

Musicians welcome! Solo or ensemble. The more genres the better. So long as you can perform at a considerate, compatible volume suited to your host location, the stage is yours.

Performers agree to:

• Offer generosity and good will in the form of a freely given, 45 minute performance.

• Connect with your porch host in short order after receiving your assignment (assignments expected early June).

• Coordinate with your porch host about the logistics of your performance (i.e. space needed, equipment, electricity needs, etc.).

• Perform only during your assigned time.

• Play at a sound level respectful to the neighbors and/or other performers nearby. Common sense consideration ultimately triumphs. Think of your venue as the space between the house and the curb and adjust for that.

• Get the word out to everyone you know to drop by.

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Solo or ensemble, any and all genres are welcome to play. All you need is a desire to perform and have fun.


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I Want to Help

So here’s the thing:
From an organizational standpoint, we’re thinking there are not that many assignments to be made, because we're really hoping not all that much needs to get done the day of Porchfest. Ensuring everything runs smoothly during the event is something that, in practice, gets collectively managed in real time by the neighborhood itself. And those looking to provide food or get artsy are encouraged to simply do those things on their own.
 
But:
There could be a few tasks that need volunteers. Setting up and removing signs and helping out when needed.
 
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In advance or day of, this can’t happen without a little help from our friends.

Volunteers Welcome!



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Selling Food at Porchfest

Are you a nonprofit? An enterprising resident? A saintly steward of your club or organization? A shameless capitalist? Do you want to sell food at Porchfest to raise or make money? We welcome your initiative.
 
Because Porchfest is grassroots and not operated like a conventional festival, we don’t have any sort of formal vending program. Our real job is coordinating performances and generating a big crowd. But if that crowd is something you want to take advantage of, we encourage you to have at it. Here’s how:

Find a driveway or comparable, privately owned spot within the PorchFest Area (Mulberry to Ogle, Main to Brayton, including Brayton east to Bruce Lane) where you'd like to set up and operate. If it's your house, great. Or, reach out to a neighbor or other Mt. Morris resident within the area and get permission to use theirs. Whatever you do, you need to conform to Ogle County Health standards, regarding permitting and safety. Commercially packaged foods and drinks (sorry you can not sell alcohol) are the easiest, no permit required. If you’d like to obtain a permit and sell your own prepared foods or drinks let us know early and we’ll do our best to assign you to one of several group areas where others will be selling (as approved by the Ogle County Health Department).

Respect the homeowner:
You’re open to sell food during the hours of Noon–5pm with a little ‘Wiggle Room’, a half hour or so on either end.
Clean up everything, no food, wrappers, napkins or other stuff should be left for the home owner to deal with.


If you are interested in selling food at PorchFest, please contact us at the link below.

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Nonprofits, clubs, organizations, enterprising youngsters,
or unrepentent capitalisits: 
If you want to sell food at Porchfest, here's how.


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What is Encore! Mt. Morris?

Volunteers committed to developing Mt. Morris, IL into a unique, thriving rural and cultural arts destination in northwest Illinois. Encore! Mt. Morris is an initiative of Mt. Morris Economic Development Corp. and has the full cooperation and support of the Mt. Morris Village Board.

Objectives
  • Build on existing strengths in local arts and artisans
  • Transform the historic campus buildings and other uptown properties into centers for visual, performing and culinary arts
  • Attract other small business such as lodging, cafes, fine dining, specialty shops and galleries
  • Work with related groups, private instructors, artists, and regional academic institutions to incorporate educational opportunities
  • Strengthen tourism and infrastructure; create a robust business district that supports the arts activities


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ENCORE! is an initiative of Mt. Morris Economic Development Corp. The vision is to create a destination community through the arts.


Community • Music •  Art
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
1:00–5:00pm

Community
Music •  Art
Saturday
June 14th, 2025
1:00–5:00pm

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