On Sept. 21, the sixth annual San Rafael Porchfest filled the streets of Gerstle Park with Marin locals eager to enjoy the sounds of 75 diverse bands performing in the yards of neighborhood residents. The event began at noon and continued until 5 p.m., with the 75 acts splitting up the performance time throughout the afternoon. 

Among the performers was Lawrence Grodeska, a resident of Gerstle Park and member of the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association, which plans the event. To him and many other performers and attendees, Porchfest is not only a good time – it’s a great opportunity to bring the local community together.  

“My favorite thing about [Porchfest] is that it’s a true community event,” Grodeska said. “I like to be a part of community events like this, to really connect with people and get to know them.”

Senior Claire Fago, a performer at last year’s Porchfest, also enjoys the community aspect of the event. 

“There are so many people, and so many artists, of all different ages and experiences and all sorts of stuff,” Fago said. “That’s the big draw for me. You get to interact with and see so many cool acts.”

A large part of what makes Porchfest such a unifying event for the local community is its unique location in the middle of a quiet, tree-filled suburb. At the event, there are no stages – only the neighborhood yards and porches that give the festival its name. Grodeska says that this brings a sense of intimacy to the event, helping make the already tight-knit community of Gerstle Park even closer.  

“People are opening up their homes and their porches,” Grodeska said. “So it’s not like it’s a traditional stage; you’re actually watching music on someone’s front porch. You’re in their day-to-day space. It’s more intimate, and because of that, it just has this vibe that is much more open and community-oriented than other types of musical festivals.” 

 An event of this scale doesn’t come together easily. The preparation for Porchfest begins in late winter and continues intensively up to the big day. 

“[Porchfest’s setup] begins at least six to nine months in advance. Basically, the beginning of the year. The year before that, the dates chosen, and they need to get permits from the city, and the fundraising starts early, looking for sponsors,” Grodeska said.

Another major part of the event’s preparation is sending the hundreds of bands that apply to perform through a rigorous selection process. This process is designed to find the acts that would best create the fun atmosphere that Porchfest is known for. 

“Hundreds of bands apply to play, so there’s just a big chunk of work listening to all the music and figuring out who feels right,” Grodeska said.

All the rigorous effort that went into this year’s Porchfest paid off with a fun and positive event that set off fall on a high note for everyone who attended.