Porchfest Rocks Hopkinton & Ashland for 1st Time!

For the first time, there will be a Porchfest in the towns of Ashland and Hopkinton. The “Ash Hop Porchfest,” as they call it, is calling all musicians or bands who may be interested in performing at a Hopkinton and Ashland Porchfest on Saturday, Sept. 30th, 2pm-6pm. Beginning at 6pm, all attendees are invited to a grand finale performance. Musicians need not come from Ashland or Hopkinton to signup here on their website: AshHopPorchfest.org They have developed a helpful “Frequently Asked Questions” as well: AshHopPorchfest.org/faq/

Porchfest Chair, Tim Jones

An Organizing Committee consisting of five residents from Ashland Hopkinton, and Upton, have starting a grassroots organization independent of any government lead by a five member Organizing Committee including Tim Jones of Ashland and Mike Wechsler of Upton. They have set for themselves the goal of recruiting eight bands from each town for a total of sixteen bands. As of the writing of this article on July 23rd, they have eight bands and seven porches signed up. Jones and the Organizing Committee are aware that the neighboring town of Holliston did hold a Porchfest approximately eight years ago that was never repeated. They believe the small population of Holliston, similar to the size of Ashland or Hopkinton, may have contributed to the event not being sustainable. They hope that by combining the two towns and building a solid organization, they can make it sustainable to repeat annually.

According to Jones, “The towns of Ashland and Hopkinton have been incredibly helpful! Ashland’s Town Manager, Michael Herbert, is even generously giving his time to attend their first upcoming Organizing Committee Meeting. Ashland’s Economic Development Director, Beth Reynolds, has paved the way for us to apply to use Ashland’s Corner Spot for our Grand Finale from 6pm to 8pm which will feature the popular band “Road Dawgs.” Lastly, web designer, Kirk Israel, was extremely generous with his skills for little pay to help these smaller Metrowest communities that otherwise have been left out of the Porchfest phenomenon. Kirk Israel is the secret behind the websites of the largest Porchfests in Massachusetts.

Organizing Committee Chairman Tim Jones expressed thanks to their first corporate sponsor, Foemmel Fine Homes: FoemmelFineHomes.com. If businesses would like to be a sponsor, appearing on all promotional materials, please email: MusicPorchfest@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at:

Facebook.com/AshHopfest