‘A little chaotic.’ This free Tacoma music festival is back and twice as big as last year

Tacoma Porchfest is back and bigger than ever — twice the size, in fact.

The third annual free music event kicks off Saturday, July 20 in Central Tacoma. From 1-6 p.m., attendees can walk from house to house and watch local bands play on front porches.

Organizer Irina Rasputnis told The News Tribune that Tacoma Porchfest has doubled each year since its launch.

“The first year there were 50 bands participating, the second year there were 100 and this year there are 200 bands participating,” Rasputnis explained. In addition to being larger, she said, “It’s going to be probably a little chaotic.”

Music lovers can hear a wide span of genres, from Dixieland jazz to opera to electronica to doom metal. The event will have poetry, stand-up comedy and two open-mic porches, Rasputnis said: “So bring your instrument of choice and find your five minutes of fame at Porchfest.”

The fest has partnered with the Central Neighborhood Council, which is hosting the event, Rasputnis said. It has also teamed up with community groups, such as the Sixth Avenue Business District, as well as city and local nonprofits.

Parents on Saturday can check out “Kid’s Street,” a portion of road along South State Street that will be closed to traffic and feature family friendly activities.

Sixty porches are participating, Rasputnis added, although the definition of “porch” is pretty broad.

“Sometimes they’re porches, sometimes they’re front yards, sometimes they’re community gardens, sometimes they’re the parking lot of a business,” she said. “But they’re all, in our eyes, porches — and amazing.”

The festival is going to extend six blocks by 12 blocks, stretching from 6th Avenue to South 12th Street and from Sprague Avenue to Cedar Street, she said.

This year three bands will star in the Porchfest parade: the Tacoma Scots Pipe Band, Olympia’s Sticks & Bones and Rasputnis’ band, Tacomarama. Attendees are invited to join the parade.

“It’s kind of just like a big moving party, is what it is,” Rasputnis said. “There’s a fire-breathing dragon that makes up the tail end of the parade, and that’s always a blast for everyone.”

Tacoma Porchfest will have merchandise, and shirts sell quickly, she said. There will be an on-site screen printer for those who want the festival’s logo on their tote bag, T-shirt or denim jacket.

Event representatives are asking folks to avoid driving in the festival zone. Park outside the boundaries and walk in if possible, Rasputnis said.

The event’s website, tacomaporchfest.org , states that the festival is made possible thanks to funding from the city.

City spokesperson Maria Lee told The News Tribune via email that the city contributed $11,000 through the Events and Recognition Committee’s Special Events funding ($5,000) and the Tacoma Arts Commission’s Community Arts Projects funding program ($6,000).

Rasputnis mentioned that one of the grants is for giving bands with BIPOC members “a premium payment.” The other is for production costs, such as marketing, permits and insurance.

Tacoma Porchfest is grateful to the city for the grant funding, Rasputnis said. Still, with festival costs and 200 acts to pay, the money goes fast. She noted that people can make donations via the festival’s webpage.

Speaking with local talk show CityLine last week, performer Emily Koo said that musicians at typical shows often coordinate to share gear. When it comes to Porchfest , that community aspect is “on a whole ‘nother level.”

“There’s a very DIY feel about it, and everyone’s just so excited and you feel so accomplished after you’ve figured it all out,” Koo told CityLine. “It’s just a really wonderful vibe. Everyone’s just there for each other, and they’re so excited about it.”

Rasputnis views Porchfest as a unique-format event that acts to build community. Hosting music in front of one’s home invites Tacoma residents to spark up conversations when they might not have otherwise talked.

“I’ve seen people say hi to neighbors, like, ‘Hey, I’ve lived here for seven years, and I’ve never had a chance to say hi,’ you know — and they find that chance at Porchfest,” Rasputnis said. “And I think that is what makes Porchfest really special.”

Those who want to view the festival’s lineup can visit tacomaporchfest.org/lineup .