2019 PORCHES
Lots of our 2018 porches returned for 2019. THANK YOU! PorchFest simply wouldn’t happen without you returning year after year. Thanks for giving up your Saturday to serve others!
Aaand we’ve got some new porches this year, too! One great way to keep up to date is to head to our Facebook page, “like” it and “like” a bunch of posts so that it starts to show up in your feed.
#1 – Greg
#3 – Michele & Nick (Audrey covering)
#4 – Kathy & Tom (Mary Ann covering)
#5 – Bea
#6 – Angie & Chris
#7 – Emily & Nate (Liz hosting)
#8 – Brian
#9 – Jake & Janis
#10 – Dave
#11 – Eric
#12 – Kim
#14 – Rick & Kitty
#15 – Andrew
#16 – Lydia
2018 PORCHES
Lots of our 2017 porches returned for 2018. THANK YOU! It makes everything so much easier when people keep participating year after year.
2017 PORCHES
Lots of our 2016 porches returned for 2017. THANK YOU! It’s makes everything so much easier when people keep participating year after year.
Aaand we’ve got some new porches his year, too! One great way to keep up to date is to head to our Facebook page, “like” it and “like” a bunch of posts so that it starts to show up in your feed.
New = *
1 – * Bob & Dianne – W. 1800ish Summit Pkwy (Centennial Trail side)
2 – * Chuck & Karen – W. 1800+ Summit Pkwy
3 – * Carrie & Brian – 1859 W. Bridge Ave
4 – Bea – 2018 W. Bridge Ave
5 – Celeste & Mary Ann – 2028 W. Summit Pkwy
6 – * Melanie – 2021 W. Centennial Way
7 – * Britt – 2121 W. Bridge Ave.
8 – * Angie & Chris – 2409 W. Bridge Ave.
9 – * Karen & Aaron – 2500 W. Summit Pkwy
10 – Don & Lorna – 1427 W. Dean
11 – Annie May & Chad – 1904 W. Mallon
12 – Lissa & Eric & Rose – 722 N. Summit Blvd
14 – * Andrew – 2530 W. Dean
15 – Kim – 928 N. Summit Blvd
16 – Kitty & Rick – 2918 W. Sharp
17 – * Sherry – 2409 W. Mission Ave.
2016 PORCHES
Most of our 2015 hosts are back for 2016. We’ve also got some new ones. We just had our photo sessions, so look for new hosts here soon. Make sure to check out the blog for daily updates, as well as our Facebook page: Facebook.com/PorchFestWestCentral .
Here’s a list of the 2016 hosts (“porches”). Make sure to check out the blog for daily updates. We’ll begin profiling them today.
1 – Kathy & Dennis – 1832 W. Summit Pkwy
2 – Becky & Bobby – 1701 W. Bridge Ave
3 – Michele & Nick – 1828 W. Bridge Ave
4 – Bea – 2018 W. Bridge Ave
5 – Celeste & Dan & Mary Anne – 2028 W. Summit Pkwy
6 – Carole & Lee (Mariah subbing) – 2010 W. Summit Pkwy
7 – Brian & Lisa – 1919 W. Centennial Alley
8 – Jacque – 2302 W. Summit Pkwy
9 – Don & Lorna – 1427 W. Dean
10 – Annie May & Chad – 1904 W. Mallon
11 – Liz & Seth – 2322 W. Mallon
12 – Emily – 2605 W. Boone
14 – Lissa & Eric – 2810 W. Broadway
15 – Kim – 928 N. Summit Blvd
16 – Dave – N. 1111 Sherwood
17 – Kitty & Rick – 2918 W. Sharp
18 – Greg – 1401 W. Summit Pkwy
2015 PORCHES
© Marshall E. Peterson Jr.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #1
The Garden Party folks are back!
– CELESTE & DAN –
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
We didn’t know a thing about it last year when we were asked to host, but we said, “Yes!” and had a great time!
The weather and the music were great, but the most fun was visiting with everyone who stopped by.
To relax and have a good time.
It doesn’t happen automatically. It takes events like PorchFest as well as people willing to organize it and participate in it.
Don’t be shy. Make a concerted effort to expand and extend your friendship to lots of people.
To meet lots of people, to help others connect, and to enjoy the day.
Cool drinks if it’s hot and warm drinks if it’s cool.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #2
© Marshall E. Peterson Jr.
New “porch”!
– FRAN & STEVE –
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
Saw the ad in the paper last year. It’s in my neighborhood and sounded like fun, so we went. It was indeed fun!!
We have lived in the WC neighborhood for 40 years, raised our kids here, go to church here, and love living here.
Porches were in close proximity so we could walk or bike. There was a great atmosphere and very good music.
Community is knowing the people around you, in your immediate neighborhood for sure and in your city as well. It does not happen automatically; it does need to be built but it is not hard to build. It starts with people wanting to know each other; coming together, sharing stories, spending time together, helping each other and becoming friends.
It’s pretty simple: get a map and follow it! Bikes make travel between porches easier.
We want people to come to the West Central neighborhood and see how great it is. I want to change the negative image it has. Kendall Yards has the new and West Central has the historic old. I want the folks that come to my fabulous 111 year old porch to have a great experience!
I am a “kid person” so I will have lots of activities for kids and families. I hope to have cider and popcorn and apples for the attendees. I plan to make my porch very festive.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #3
© Marshall E. Peterson Jr.
Kitty & Rick are BACK!
– KITTY & RICK –
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
No, we hosted a porch last year. We were not able to attend any but ours last year because we were having some much fun at our own porch!
We love the idea of creating a welcome space at our home to enjoy music, local authors, and to develop community!
We loved the mix of people from West Central and from other neighborhoods, who came together to enjoy great local music and authors.
Have chairs and shade (if you don’t have shelter from the sun).
“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.” – Jean Vanier
Community isn’t a place. It is a feeling among people of wanting to be together. Community takes intention on the part of individuals to create. We create it when we identify ourselves as part of something larger than the sum of our individual relationships.
Be flexible, try to have fun, and don’t stress it if things aren’t “perfect.” This is meant to be a laid back event.
We are VERY involved in local efforts to make Spokane an even better community – involved in local social and environmental justice efforts, neighborhood council work, working to create more options for bikes and pedestrians, and creating an even more vibrant arts community that is accessible for everyone. We think people should look for options to volunteer for a cause that is near and dear to their hearts and can make Spokane a better community for everyone!
We hope PorchFest provides an opportunity for folks across the West Central neighborhood to come together to enjoy art and music and get to know each other. We hope PorchFest becomes a tool for furthering the creation of an amazing West Central community.
We moved into a new home with a great home with a perfect porch for this event!
PORCH HOST PROFILE #4
© Marshall E. Peterson Jr.
Kathy and Dennis loved PorchFest 2014 so much that they actually spent the past year scouting bands to bring to their porch! And they got a great one! Stay tuned for more details…
– KATHY & DENNIS – Plus Newtie & Molson
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
We loved hosting, meeting new folks and encouraging fun!
Move from porch to porch and take in all the comradery West Central has to offer.
Act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic; make it fun!
Community is unity. It’s built through communication and friendships. You have to be in it to win it!
To involve more people in sociability and kindness. To help PorchFest grow.
Promoting, promoting, promoting! Signage, bands, you name it!
Welcoming everyone who comes by our porch, putting out seating, offering waters, etc.
To check out how a real village can work.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #5
© Marshall E. Peterson Jr.
Kahlan’s a fun guy and has a HUGE porch right across the street from the big park down here in Kendall Yards. Now you get to meet him…
– KAHLAN & SHANNON – (pronounced kaylan)
A few months after moving into Kendall Yards, James Evans of Greenstone asked me if my porch could be made available for performers to use at the event. I said, “Absolutely!”. I am new to living in Kendall Yards and I have only lived in Spokane for a couple years now. As I am not very familiar with the Spokane music scene, I am hoping this will be a good opportunity to familiarize myself with local musicians and to get to know my new neighbors a little better.
I live here, so I am here pretty often. What brought me here was the Kendall Yards development. It is ideally located for my downtown commute and I really like what Greenstone is doing with the area in making it “livable” through easy access to the centennial trail, restaurants and the new park.
Community is about knowing, understanding and respecting the people you are surrounded by. I think it requires a bit of active encouragement, willingness and engagement. Food, music and wine are helpful.
I try to be a good, friendly and respectful neighbor. I would like to get to know my new community better which is why I was more than happy to have a performer use my porch for PorchFest.
I want it to be a successful, well attended event where everyone has a good time and gets to know their neighbors a little better.
The weather is still warm. The scenery is beautiful. There will be lots of music and people. The better questions is: why would you not want to go to PorchFest?
PORCH HOST PROFILE #6
Angela and Jeff have spent the past 361 days counting down until this year’s PorchFest – super enthusiastic couple!
– ANGELA & JEFF –
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
We love West Central, we love community events, we love people, and we love local musicians! We think this event is a great way for people to see the vibrant and diverse community alive here in West central.
Our favorite thing about hosting at PorchFest was the steady flow of new people, hearing them share their favorite experiences of the day and making new friends! We also absolutely loved having a musician on our porch, getting to know them, and sharing food and stories with them was super cool! Watching our neighbors come together and enjoy the event was also something we loved! Last year one of our neighbor’s favorite musicians of all time played on our porch so they were so excited! He is one of our favorites now, too!
Work hard to really get your block involved. Let them know ahead of time. Take flyers to all their houses. This helps your block feel like they are hosting with you. Make sure to invite your performer’s family to spend the time at your house and make them your special guests!
We hope to be a part of building community on our block and to help people outside of west central see some great things that are happening here in WC
We’ve been meeting with neighbors to brainstorm fun ideas and then working with them to make those things happen. Also we’ve been sending lots of emails and texts with reminders and info, making some special banners, and just preparing for the day so we can be available to meet people, connect people, and enjoy a super awesome event!
PORCH HOST PROFILE #7
– BEA – 
Bea loved last year’s event so much that she wanted to host this year. Wish granted!
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself, and about PorchFest, please…
1-What got you interested in PorchFest?
I attended PorchFest last year and really enjoyed the musicians, poets, and nice neighbors. This event gave me “permission” to say “Howdy” to neighbors I didn’t know yet.
2- What is community? How do we build it?
I define community as people and families who share something basic, like the neighborhood they live in, a workplace, a common cause – and because of an over-riding desire for this common element to be successful – the people manage to get to know each other and pull together on common goals. Catalysts are important for community building. Either a common GOOD THING – like farmer’s markets, community spaces and sharing art and music – or – a common threat (fires, heavy snow, dirt bike track or pig farm moving in…) can build community.
3- What have you done to build community?
Be friendly. Support community gardening. Volunteer at local grade school, Holmes E.S. I would like to keep the north side of Bridge Avenue getting better and better as a good place for families to live.
4- What do you hope to accomplish at PorchFest? What do you want to help PorchFest accomplish?
I hope people will enjoy coming to my humble yard, feel blessed by the huge old apricot tree, and enjoy the musicians’ and poets’ gifts to us. I hope I can be part of PorchFest being a series of fun, warm and fuzzy gatherings.
5- What things will you be doing to make this year’s event special?
Cleaning up my yard! Tending the neglected garden! Making lemonade, maybe cookies.
People should come if they are curious, adventurous, and willing to be just a little vulnerable going into the unknown, after all – questing after food for the soul (music, poetry) and to be the guests of strangers.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #8
– KIM – 
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
1- Is this your first time hosting a porch? Did you get to go to PorchFest last year?
This is my first year hosting and when Marshall, a huge advocate for events that occur in West Central/Kendall Yards, asked me to host my porch I was very excited. I have a great porch that overlooks the Spokane River, making a nice spot for such a gathering to take place.
I have lived in West Central, actually the same house, since I was born. I’ve seen a lot of changes occur over my lifetime, but the small community feel has never left. I feel very tied to this community. My neighbors feel like family to me and we all look out for each other.
I’m excited to be a part of an event that will bring more people into our neighborhood where they can get a taste of our neighborhood’s welcoming and eclectic personality!
In addition to PorchFest, I am also involved with Urban Garden Share for Spokane (http://www.urbangardenshare.
2014 PORCHES
It’s so exciting to begin sharing the porch hosts! These are great people who have a great attitude and love to participate in creating community. Like the Performer page, we’ll reveal one host each day.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #1
– CAROLE & LEE –
When we moved to Kendall Yards we made a commitment to be involved in our community, West Central. When we were approached to host our porch, it was an easy “yes”! What better way to bring people together than with music? Our hope is that PorchFest becomes an annual event.
Community is the relationships and interactions of its people. It’s celebrating together, solving problems together, listening to one another and offering a helping hand. We can build it by being intentional and committed to connecting with our neighbors and surrounding neighborhoods.
It doesn’t happen automatically. It takes people.
Simply stated, good people…good music… and an opportunity to build community togetherness.
PORCH HOST PROFILE #2
– ERIC & LISSA –
“When we heard about PorchFest, we both knew it was an idea we could get behind. We both love the idea of getting to know our neighbors in our West Central neighborhood better, and building ties within the community.
Our community starts in our home, but expands out in concentric circles to include the people on our block, in our neighborhood, city, state and so on. There are no borders that define community, but getting to know the people you share your streets and parks with is a good start. It is easy to go about your business and never get to connect with the people who live right across the street from you.
We offered our porch because we thought it would be fun. We like the idea of meeting our neighbors in a personal, but still informal way. For us, “success” is measured in the connections that PorchFest creates, whether during the music, or from conversations out on the street. If we can help facilitate a few of those connections by offering our yard for a few hours on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, well that’s a win-win. Building community takes work, but luckily that work is often fun.”
PORCH HOST PROFILE #3
– ANGELA & JEFF –
“We love community-building events, music, and West Central! We think PorchFest is a great way for people in West Central to get to know their neighbors and for Spokane to get to know West Central as a whole community. We love that it is going to be an annual event!
Community is people coming together with the intention of sharing life in ways that require sacrifice, work, and commitment – building relationship centered around a common interest. It simply needs people willing to come together rather than go at it alone.
Porchfest is going to be an awesome opportunity to meet the local West Central community and hear so many wonderful and diverse preformers from all around the Spokane area. This is truly a local Spokane event that will only continue to grow and produce great things over the coming years!”
PORCH HOST PROFILE #4
– KATHY & DENNIS –
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
The name instantly appealed to us as we have formed many relationships, friendships, and a sense of community because of our PORCH! And it is AWESOME!
Sense of community does not happen automatically and must be built and nurtured through relationships and friendships involving all those around you with events such as PorchFest West Central or groups like our Kendall Yards Kennel Club – we get together at 8am every weekend to walk our dogs to Riverfront Park or along the Centennial Trail. Everyone is welcome (dog or no dog).
We hope to let folks see how all of us here in Kendall Yards are fully vested in being a part of the West Central community and look forward to building this community in a positive and inviting way. We also want to help PorchFest open peoples’ eyes to the wonderful opportunities and amenities our city has to offer and promote future community events, as well as promoting the talented local artists that we have among us.
Why not? Great Local Artists… Great Artists… Great Attitudes… resulting in a GREAT COMMUNITY EVENT!
PORCH HOST PROFILE #5
– KAHLAN – (pronounced kaylan)
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
A few months after moving into Kendall Yards, James Evans of Greenstone asked me if my porch could be made available for performers to use at the event. I said, “Absolutely!”. I am new to living in Kendall Yards and I have only lived in Spokane for a couple years now. As I am not very familiar with the Spokane music scene, I am hoping this will be a good opportunity to familiarize myself with local musicians and to get to know my new neighbors a little better.
I live here, so I am here pretty often. What brought me here was the Kendall Yards development. It is ideally located for my downtown commute and I really like what Greenstone is doing with the area in making it “livable” through easy access to the centennial trail, restaurants and the new park.
Community is about knowing, understanding and respecting the people you are surrounded by. I think it requires a bit of active encouragement, willingness and engagement. Food, music and wine are helpful.
I try to be a good, friendly and respectful neighbor. I would like to get to know my new community better which is why I was more than happy to have a performer use my porch for PorchFest.
I want it to be a successful, well attended event where everyone has a good time and gets to know their neighbors a little better.
The weather is still warm. The scenery is beautiful. There will be lots of music and people. The better questions is: why would you not want to go to PorchFest?
PORCH HOST PROFILE #6
– KITTY & RICK
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please…
We love the idea of an event that brings the community together through the arts and music and encourages people to explore all of West Central. We think it is a great idea that should be replicated throughout other neighborhoods!
“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.” – Jean Vanier
Community isn’t a place. It is a feeling among people of wanting to be together. Community takes intention on the part of individuals to create. We create it when we identify ourselves as part of something larger than the sum of our individual relationships.
We hope PorchFest provides an opportunity for folks across the West Central neighborhood to come together to enjoy art and music and get to know each other. We hope PorchFest becomes an annual event that helps further the goal of creating community.
Art, music, community building – why wouldn’t people want to come and be part of that!
