By Kathleen McKenna

Twenty inches of rain made the summer of 2023 one of the wettest on record, resulting in a dismal Fourth of July weekend, a slew of sodden Saturdays, and one washed-out Hull PorchFest. 

Disappointment over the event’s cancellation compelled HPF committee members to find another way to bring the one-day, once-a-year tradition of free music – played on porches from Nantasket to Beach Avenues, between Revere and Kenberma Streets – back to life. 

They found it in The Hull PorchFest ’23 Revival, a music extravaganza happening this Sunday at the C-Note from 2 to 7 p.m., rain or shine. 

Just like PorchFest, the Revival is open to all ages, although kids must be accompanied by adults. 

And it’s free of charge, although donations will be welcomed by the Hull High School choral and jazz bands. Music director Ian Barkon said the band is working hard to re-build post-pandemic, and that any money raised at Sunday’s event will be put toward transporting student musicians to both state and national competitions, where in the past they’ve achieved two gold ratings and one silver.

Merchandise from past PorchFests, including T-shirts and baseball caps, will be given away to Revival attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

More than 30 musical acts were scheduled to play at a dozen or so Kenberma homes for PorchFest ’23, and four of those are donating their time and talents to the Revival: Seawitch, Redbeerd, The Pitfalls, and the Assisted Living Band. 

“Dancing is most definitely encouraged and expected,” said Sue Lynch of Revere Street, who’s taken over the reins of HPF since the organization’s founder and president, Tom Hardey, left Hull for his native Texas in October.

Lynch, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987, became a JAG attorney in 2000, and was promoted to colonel last year, said she was drawn to PorchFest because she “really loves to throw a party.” She’s been hosting bands on her Revere Street porch since HPF’s inception.

“I’ll never forget the day in summer of 2018 when Trish Hardey knocked on my door to ask if I’d like to host on my porch,” she said. “I’d just moved to town and I’d been looking for ways to get involved, so I immediately agreed.”

At the Revival on Sunday, she and other members of the Porchfest team hope to enlist volunteers to help plan and execute future PorchFests and related events, including fundraisers whose proceeds go toward town organizations like the HHS Band Program and the Anne M. Scully Senior Center, a past beneficiary of HPF donations.

“While most experience HPF as a fun-filled afternoon, it’s actually a year-long effort that brings together a dedicated team of people who fundraise in support of local causes, as well as plan and organize the actual event,” Lynch said. “Our vision going forward is to continue bringing Hull a vibrant family event, and to expand by welcoming new committee members, porch hosts, and bands, to collaborate with the town and with local businesses, and most importantly, to have fun.”

A rain date, she said with a smile, will also be incorporated. 

For more information, visit www.hullporchfest.org.

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