The Front Porch Fest will be held on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 1 through Sept. 3, at Spirithaven Farm in Stuart.
The lineup includes performers such as Acoustic Syndicate, The Heavy Pets, Dangermuffin, Hackensaw Boys, Brother Jocephus and the Love Revolution, Big Daddy Love, Forlorn Strangers, Urban Soil, The Elovaters, The Get Right Band, Dr. Bacon, Erin & The Wildfire, Of Tomorrow and many more.
On Thursday, the gate opens from 5 to 10 p.m. for VIP patrons and volunteers. The gate opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday (opening at other times only in the event of an emergency). On Sunday, the entrance gate opens at 9 a.m., and closes at 8 p.m.
The festival will be held rain or shine, with ticket prices starting at $40 for a Day Pass on Friday, $60 for a Day Pass on Saturday; $30 for a Day Pass on Sunday. General admission for the event is $100; VIP tickets start at $225. Service fees are applied to the ticket price. Youngsters 12 and under are admitted free.
Proceeds from the festival are donated to the Patrick County Food Bank, the Caring Hearts Free Clinic and an Educational fund created to support teachers and educational organizations, according to a release from festival organizers.
“Our partnerships with community organizations brings not only hope for their cause but also allows patrons the opportunity to learn more about the initiatives that work so hard to do good in our community,” the release stated.
The fest grounds are a safe and comfortable environment for families of all sizes and ages, and include a children’s area that has grown over the years to include a large playground set with swings and slides, playhouses with toys, and an ample tent for arts and crafts.
The Kid’s Area is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with crafts available throughout the day.
Throughout the weekend, children can meet at the kid’s area to join Chad Lange of Nature Freaks for a nature walk, tree identification lesson, and to learn about animals by exploring the Nature Freak Mammal Box.
Emily & Bruce Burgess, a North Carolina duo, bring an array of creativity though guided art projects. Pam Hylton, a school counselor for Patrick County Schools and a licensed professional counselor at Piedmont Community Services, is among the lead children’s staff members.
Events this year include several art activities that will use found objects and items from nature to make name posters, picture frames, and bracelets. Hylton also will teach youngsters how to make “Seed Bombs,” which are small clumps of clay, dirt, and seeds that can be thrown randomly or planted intentionally in an effort to increase the growth flowers in our surroundings.
A free pizza party will be held at noon on Saturday, when kids can meet the real ‘Lil Caesar;’ there also will be a time for dress-up and playing instruments as the children prepare for the Children’s Parade starting around 2 p.m. Before the parade, dress up and musical instruments will be provided.
On Sunday, art projects will be based on a peacock motif to honor the resident peacocks of the festival grounds, Spirithaven Farm. If you are interested in coming for one day only, Saturday and Sunday have activities scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the children’s area.
Staff encourage creativity, and ask parents to stay with their youngsters. In the event that you do become separated, please alert a staff member. All children separated from parents will be brought to the kid’s area until they are reunited.
For more information, visit frontporchfest.com.
