The schedule and map are out for Vankleek Hill Porchfest 2019 as the event continues to grow and will hit its peak on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

In its fifth  year, Porchfest has grown exponentially each year in Vankleek Hill, with more local businesses and porch hosts than ever taking part in addition to the event’s presenting sponsor Low’s Realty:

“The interest and support from businesses and the community as a whole has been incredible this year,” says Porchfest founder and committee chairman Ken Duff.

“We have the same businesses who supported us from Day 1 still on board and lots of new ones taking part. We’ve also been contacted by many citizens of Vankleek Hill who are excited about Porchfest.”

This year’s event will feature 41 bands and individual performers – up from 32 last year –  spread out over 31 porches throughout Vankleek Hill. Performance times and a map of the event are available a number of local businesses throughout Vankleek Hill and can be found online on the event website at http://porchfestvankleekhill.ca .

In addition to the porch performances from Noon to 5 p.m., several new twists have been added for the 2019 event at different locations. Local band Highway 34 will kick off Porchfest by playing at the Vankleek Hill Farmers’ Market at 11 a.m. Vendors at the market have been asked to bring items suitable for a picnic lunch and visitors are invited to have a picnic lunch at the market and then venture into town for Porchfest itself.

Also this year Porchfest will have performers playing at Heritage Lodge in Vankleek Hill to entertain the seniors who live there. The Vankleek Hill Fiddlers will play at the lodge from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by St. Jude Strings at 2 p.m.

“Heritage Lodge asked us if they could be a part of Porchfest and we thought that would be a great idea,” Duff commented.

“It is a big part of the community and it is hard for the residents there to get out to the porches, so we thought it would be nice to bring the porches to them.”

Finally, to close out the event, the musicians from Porchfest are invited to head to the Windsor Tavern after the event where various bands and musicians from the event will be playing both individually and together on stage all evening, beginning at 5 p.m. Locals and visitors to Vankleek Hill are invited to come join the party at the Windsor.

“The evening of music after the event is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Duff said. “It gives the musicians the chance to get to know each other, have some fun playing music together and put on a great show for everyone on hand. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Organizers have also taken steps this year to ensure visitors are comfortable and know where to go. The new map and schedule is one part of that, but there will also be volunteers on hand to direct people from porch to porch and answer any questions. As well, an information centre will be set up on Main Street in front of the The Review newspaper offices. Be sure to stop by for Porchfest information, and free freezies for everyone.

To ensure everyone stays properly hydrated, Vankleek Hill Foodland is donating water for the event. Bottles of water will be available at no charge for performers and visitors at all porches.

Duff and a committee of volunteers have been working on Porchfest 2019 since last year’s event wrapped up, using feedback from visitors, porch hosts and musicians to plan this year’s festival and all are excited about this year’s event Duff says:

“It’s been a lot of work, but I think with the feedback we’ve gotten, the changes made, more bands and  porches than ever and the amazing support from the community it’s going to be a very fun event. We can’t wait for it to start.”

For more information on Vankleek Hill Porchfest 2019 please visit the event’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/vkhporchfest/

Performance times and the event map are also available on Vankleek Hill Porchfest’s webpage at http://porchfestvankleekhill.ca/