Members of the Hull PorchFest board delivered a check for $2,000 last month to the director and students of Hull High School’s choral and jazz bands.

More than half that money was raised at the Hull PorchFest Revival, a make-up event held in place of the rained-out PorchFest 2023 at the C-Note music club on a Sunday afternoon in November.

Although the Revival was free and no merchandise was sold – instead hundreds of T-shirts and baseball caps from Porchfests past were handed out for free – attendees generously gave more than $1,000 in donations as they enjoyed hospitality served up by C-Note staff and danced to local bands Thirsty Boots, Redbeerd, The Pitfalls, and Assisted Living, all of whom donated their time and talent.

HHS music director Ian Barkon said he’s grateful to the PorchFest board, which designates different local causes each year, for choosing the music program as its recipient in 2023. He said the HHS program is small but consistently wins awards, and its biggest current challenge is covering travel costs to competitions in places like Springfield, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.

“The generous check from Hull PorchFest will help us reduce the cost of transportation on upcoming band trips for students,” he said. “Believe it or not, the bus is the biggest expense for us. Chartering a bus for three days can run from $5,000 to $7,000. We do compete for national ratings and we’ve received two gold ratings and one silver already.”

Members of the PorchFest board are now busy getting ready for HPF 2024, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, with a rain date of Sunday, September 15.

Between now and then, a series of fundraisers and preview events will showcase some of the 30-plus bands and musicians who help make PorchFest such a beloved community event.

Next up is the Party At The Parrot fundraiser on Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m., featuring complimentary appetizers, three high-energy bands, and a 50-50 raffle, plus auction and raffle items donated by Hull artists, business owners, and more. Net proceeds will go to the Hull Lifesaving Museum’s programs for local veterans, which include a coffee hour speaker series, boat-building sessions, and rowing expeditions.

“We’re excited to find the right veterans’ outreach initiative that will increase  awareness and participation in the outstanding programs the lifesaving museum is spearheading and running for local veterans,” said Sue Lynch, president of Hull PorchFest and a Desert Storm veteran who currently serves as an Army Judge Advocate General officer. “As a veteran myself, I truly believe in the importance of programs that bring veterans together because they foster the kind of camaraderie that represents the very best part of military service.”

PorchFest began in 2018 to celebrate and create a stage for the many local artists who live and play music in and around Hull. A free, all-ages event, it takes place on the porches and in the driveways of the neighborhood that spans Kenberma to Revere streets, and Massasoit to Beach avenues. For info and updates, follow Hull PorchFest on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.hullporchfest.org.

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