Perkasie PorchFest can't go on as planned May 11. Here's why town pulled plug

It seemed like Perkasie PorchFest was just hitting its stride.

The free community music festival in the borough’s downtown launched in 2022 and grew in popularity.

This year’s PorchFest, which was set to take place May 11, would’ve hosted more than 80 bands across 30 porches, front yards and open spaces in a five-by-five block area, according to the PorchFest website .

"This family- and pet-friendly music festival operates on good vibes and good neighbors, where everyone plays a part in the magic," it states.

But over the weekend, those “good vibes” came to a halt — and PorchFest will no longer take place as planned.

Corey and Heather Armideo, the Perkasie residents and business owners who are organizing PorchFest, said they were confronted with new obstacles this year as they worked with borough officials to navigate concerns over scale and safety.

On Friday, the Armideos said they thought they had reached an agreement with the borough to put on a smaller event at Lenape Park in May, while pushing back PorchFest to this fall. But on Saturday, they received a call from Mayor Jeff Hollenbach saying they couldn’t use the park.

“It went from negotiating Friday morning, to no we’re not going to let you do it,” Heather said in an interview Monday morning.

“We had something that the whole town loved and brought neighbors together and now that’s gone. If we can’t work together, this will never happen. Roads have to close, the borough has to partner with us, we have to work together. It has been our goal all along to work with them.”

Hollenbach also issued a statement on the borough website Saturday regarding PorchFest and a special event application, which he said had been withdrawn by the organizers.

“Starting in May 2023, Perkasie Borough officials spent an extensive amount of time working with private promoters for the May 11th event to ensure that public safety measures were understood and included in their Special Event permit application. These efforts were made to address numerous documented public safety concerns from the previous year’s event,” he wrote in part.

“We respect and appreciate the promoters’ dedication to our community and hope to work with them on future events,” he later adds.

Attempts to reach Hollenbach and borough manager Andrea Coaxum were unsuccessful.

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Is Perkasie PorchFest canceled?

In a way, yes, PorchFest will not officially take place in Perkasie.

However, the Armideos haven't given up hope.

While PorchFest won't be held throughout downtown Perkasie as planned, they said they are currently working with businesses and organizations in the nearby communities of Quakertown, Sellersville and Lansdale to host performances on May 11.

An application is also pending with Quakertown Borough for use of The Univest Performance Center, where they hope to hold a concert that evening.

“We’re trying to find places that have the space to accommodate larger groups, so that people still have something they can enjoy that day,” Corey said. “We’re trying our best to still keep the spirit of fellowship and provide something that day for everyone who loves music and enjoys getting to know their neighbors.”

Paul Scarcia, the drummer for Thank You Spider, a local punk rock band that performed at PorchFest in 2023 and was signed up to return this year, said in an interview Friday that he hopes to see it continue.

"It’s definitely an event that promotes benevolence and fraternity among its residents and anyone who appreciates live entertainers," Scarcia said. "I hope it can be worked out in some way or form and be salvaged. It is a safe and fun day. Everyone has a good time.”

Next year, the Armideos said they hope to grow PorchFest into a two-day event and continue in this new direction of coordinating with multiple communities in the area.

“Throughout talking to many of the other boroughs, businesses and organizations, we have learned this is something they want to have, so we want to share the love and offer opportunities for other areas to be able to join in,” Corey said.

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Can Perkasie residents and businesses still host bands on May 11?

In his statement, Hollenbach’s statement also addressed individual residents and businesses who still wish to host performances on May 11.

“Anyone planning to host musicians should notify neighbors on their block, be comfortable with the legal liability of hosting a show on their porch, and make sure to keep streets free and clear of pedestrians,” he wrote.

“Perkasie Borough will make all possible efforts to provide a safe, secure, and sanitary environment, and to ensure the general welfare and public safety of its residents, as we do every day,” he later adds.

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Perkasie PorchFest can't go on as planned May 11. Here's why town pulled plug