Norman’s Miller Historic District Hosts Porchfest
This past Saturday, Norman’s Miller Historic District was alive with music as 46 acts took to 14 different stages located on porches, lawns, and backyards for the annual Porchfest.
Porchfest originated nearly a decade ago thanks to Wess McMichael, the owner of McMichael Music. He was inspired by a friend’s suggestion to use his school as the main hub for a neighborhood music festival. “I just went around the neighborhood putting out little flyers to see who might want to donate their porch and got a huge response,” McMichael shared.
Having lived in various locations across the country, McMichael is impressed by the quality of the local music scene. “The quality of musicians here is just absolutely fantastic. I want to share that with as many people as I can,” he said.
The festival, according to McMichael, runs mostly on its own. “The artists want to play. The people want to come. The people want to donate their porches. The city wants it to happen. It’s really cool,” he noted.
One of Porchfest’s defining features is its community-focused atmosphere. McMichael emphasizes the importance of keeping the event small and free from corporate sponsorship, which is key to its charm.
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