Frequently Asked Questions

What is PorchFest?

The Franklin PorchFest is a community music festival. Musicians play on the front porches and residents enjoy lots of FREE music and local color as they walk and bike around Franklin to music venues.

Where does Franklin PorchFest take place?

The majority of PorchFest performances will take place on porches within Franklin's Cultural District which is concentrated around the Town Common.  Additionally, performances could be held on patios, lawns, driveways or on municipal building properties within the district.

Who performs at PorchFest?

Any band or musical group/solo act can perform. We will tap into local artists around the Franklin area who perform anything from Jazz to Rock music - there will be something for all ages. Interested performers can easily register on this website.  A list of performers and a map showing performance locations and times will be uploaded to the website closer to the date of the event.

How much will it be to attend PorchFest?

The event is totally free, listen to as many bands are you like - there is no cost. The only thing we ask is that you attend as many performances as you can and bring a chair or a blanket to enjoy the performance.

How do I know what bands are performing?

An event map and schedule will be posted to the site once we have the information on the bands performing. Check the site closer to the event date for the most current times and locations.

I would like to perform...how do I register?

If you are with a band and would like to perform at Franklin’s PorchFest event, simply complete the registration on this site and submit your request. PorchFest is a free music festival and bands or acts are not compensated for performing.

Will there be bathrooms?

Yes, there will be portable bathrooms setup at the Manor across from the Town Common.

Will there be bathrooms?

Portable restrooms will be located at the Haywood Manor parking lot at 200 Main Street and the Franklin Public Library parking lot at 132 Main Street. Additional restrooms are located at Franklin Historical Museum at 80 West Central Street and Franklin Public Library at 118 Main Street.

Is there parking available for PorchFest?

Yes, parking is permitted in designated lots and spaces as marked on the PorchFest website. Illegal parking will lead to fines and/or towing at owner’s expense. Dean College (2 lots), the former Charter School (old St. Mary's School parking lot) , Franklin Senior Center, Davis Thayer School and on street marked spots. Handicapped parking is available at Main Street and High Street, Franklin Senior Center, Franklin Library and in both Dean College lots

What is the PorchFest Code of Conduct?

§ 47-1 Prohibition on public drinking, open containers. No person shall drink or have in his or her possession an open container of any alcoholic beverages, as defined in MGL c. 138, § 1, while in or upon any public way

§ 125-16 Public consumption of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol prohibited. No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol, as defined in MGL c. 94C, § 1, as amended, or MGL c. 94G, § 1, while in or upon the Town Common or any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any building, facility or land owned by or under the control of the Town.

§ 125-9 Littering. No person shall throw or deposit waste paper, garbage, rubbish, filth, or other litter or refuse onto any public street or sidewalk or abutting private property or in any public building or place except in a designated waste receptacle. No person shall throw or deposit litter in any park, playground, athletic field, beach, or other recreational facility within the Town except in public receptacles

 170-36 Crossing and other use of roadways. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a sidewalk or safety island and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield the right-of-way. Pedestrians shall always attempt to cross a roadway using the right half of crosswalks. Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway whenever the sidewalk is open to pedestrian use.

Is there a rain date if the event is canceled?

Yes, in the event the June 1 date is rained out, the Franklin PorchFest will be moved to Sunday, June 2 from 12 – 6pm. In the event of cancellation, we will update the website to reflect this no later than by 6:00 pm the night before the scheduled event date.

Do musicians get paid?

PorchFest is a FREE music festival. Organizers, performers, and porch hosts are not compensated and are freely giving their time and talent. If you would like to support a band, you are welcome to donate at the performance.

Who is organizing the Franklin PorchFest?

Through a generous grant from Massachusetts Cultural Council and Franklin Cultural District and through the hard work of the volunteer PorchFest Resident Committee, we can bring this great event to Franklin.