Near Eastside Neighborhood Athens (NENA) Porchfest aims to keep Athens funky

Athens Near Eastside Neighborhood will host the city’s first ever Porchfest music event on June 30.

Come experience a unique, free live music event showcasing Athens musical talent. The Near Eastside Neighborhood Athens (NENA) welcomes neighbors from across the Athens area to enjoy the inaugural Porchfest music festival. Over a dozen residents of the Near Eastside — located between East State Street and Stimson Avenue in the City of Athens — will host music sets on their porches or yards.

Music will begin at noon at Kiser’s Barbeque on East State Street, continue with sets around the neighborhood from 1-6 p.m., with the finale at Jackie O’s Taproom.

Porch performing musicians will be accepting tips via cash or Venmo/Paypal.

Locations and lineup include:

12 p.m. — Porchfest Kickoff at Kiser’s Barbeque with music by Stimson Chickens12-5:50 p.m. — Neighborhood Porch Music Sessions. Acts will play 50-minute sets, beginning at the top of each hour. Most time slots will feature three to four simultaneous acts playing at various locations around the neighborhood. The lineup features the best of our local and regional musicians, playing rock, pop, folk, traditional music and blues. Full lineup and location information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/Porchfest2024 6-9 p.m. — Finale at Jackie O’s Taproom with music by Liberty Furnace and Water Witches

Alcohol

Every neighborhood porch show is BYOB (bring your own beer/bottle). Attendees of legal drinking age will be allowed to bring beer and liquor and consume it at the Porchfest shows at neighborhood residences; those partaking must stay on venue property. Neighborhood venues are outside of Athens’ DORA zone, so alcohol is not allowed on sidewalks or streets. Kiser’s Barbeque does not sell or allow alcohol, and Jackie O’s Taproom has a full selection of beer and other beverages (no outside alcohol permitted).

Parking and getting around

We encourage attendees to find a place to park their car in the area, and then walk, bike, scoot, skateboard, etc. to and between the Porchfest venues. Parking is free and is available on streets throughout the neighborhood; at the Athens Public Library (on Home Street), East Elementary School (on Wallace Drive), and Moquin Funeral Home (corner of May and Morris). Please refrain from parking on the street in front of, or immediately next to Porchfest venues. There are free electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available in the Athens Public Library parking lot. Six spaces with level 2 chargers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Food

Food will be available for purchase at Kiser’s Barbeque beginning at 11 a.m.. Jackie O’s Taproom will have the Bagel Street Deli trailer open for sales beginning at 4 p.m. In addition, there are other food take out options at locally owned businesses in the neighborhood along East State Street, during the event including Avalanche Pizza, Dr. May’s Thai Kitchen, and Kindred Market, plus fast-food options on Stimson Avenue.