Porch Fest 2024
Dear Editor: I coordinated Porch Fest on behalf of the Greater Sitka Arts Council, and wanted to convey my thanks and appreciation for all who participated. It is a grassroots event which celebrates our local musicians, artists, dancers, and other performers. All performers volunteer their time to share their talent, and the locals fill downtown for one time before the summer visitor rush.
Thanks to our sound engineers – Main Stage, Elle Campbell and Peter Apathy; Lutheran Stage, Sharyn and John Ferrick. Thanks to volunteers who helped make sure the event ran smoothly: Sara Ebersole, Pat Hughes, Kelly Schwarz, Leah Mason, Melinda McAdams and Dixon Elegant. Thanks to John Ingman for helping with the Porch Fest Facebook page, and Pat Kehoe for organizing art workshops. Thanks to our food vendors: Jessie’s Uptown Dogs, Red Herring and the Donut Shack. Thanks to the police officers who helped with the street closure. Thanks to our sponsors – Platinum level, Alaska Airlines and Hames Corporation; Gold level, Harry Race Pharmacy; and Silver level, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Fortress of the Bear.
GSAC Raffle – Thanks to all who bought a ticket to support the arts in Sitka through events like Wearable Art, Porch Fest and the Art Walks. We drew the winning tickets at the 7 p.m. evening concert. The winners were – first place for two Alaska Airlines tickets, Debbie Green; second place for a $250 Sea Mart gift card, Becci Steele; and third place for a $100 Sea Mart gift card, Jo Ingman. Thanks to John Stein and Tonia Puletau-Lang for taking the lead on selling tickets this year. Thanks to John Weitkamp for his support of the GSAC raffle. Finally, a shout out to Dixon Elegant for bringing Porch Fest to Sitka. It has become a treasured Sitka event!
Rain Van Den Berg
Greater Sitka Arts Council
