Beginning in November 2016, the idea of South Park’s Porchfest (to have the kids play music on their streets without permits, red wristbands, chain link fencing, blue porta potties, and security guards) was stolen from Decatur, Georgia, who borrowed it from Ithaca, NY. San Diego is relatively bereft of live, outdoor music in our streets, bars, and restaurants. Axios San Diego wrote about tomorrow’s Porchfest here, using a few quotes from this blog and pictures I’ve taken over the years.

One of our family favorite outdoor events, the New Belgium Beer ‘Tour de Fat’ Festival, hosted a fun bicycle parade through South Park/Golden Hill that was always soured at the end in Golden Hill Park by the unnecessary separation of adults and children by chain link fences, security guards, and wristbands… because adults can’t be trusted to take care of kids. San Diego’s Special Event Permit requirements ruined the spirit of an outdoor, walking around, and bicycle parade music festival out of fear of mixed beers with kids.

My wife Kristin and I, and our neighbors, Jen and Brian Spencer, had young kids who we wanted to share live music outdoors without fear of each other and decided to try Porchfest. And it worked. People, young and old, played and enjoyed music on a Sunday afternoon. We went from neighbor porch to porch listening to performers and bands of all skills and ages. Nobody has been hurt, and we’ve organized 8 or 9 of these over the past 9 years.

Our initial goal of having my kids confidently perform in front of others is complete, and they’re now off in college and beyond. My hope for today is for more neighborhoods to borrow the idea of socializing with your neighbors share these experiences. The kids are alright, and they are really great at playing music, making art, singing, and performing. Really alright are the Night Carrots, the best kid band to get their start at our Porchfests.

In our neighborhood we share this experience and talk of it with each other often. We talk about plans for the next one and our experiences from the past. From this we’re fortunate that a new idea has sprung from Porchfest, a Halloween haunted house is now happening annually down the street. That’s the big idea… getting together and daring to be outdoors in beautiful San Diego.