Porch fest held in Lamasco Neighborhood

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - You may have heard music playing across the west side of Evansville Sunday. It was all for the first ever Lamasco Neighborhood Porch Fest.

Organizers hope it gave people a chance to get to know the area a little bit better.

It was a musical day on the west side of Evansville, all thanks to the first-ever Lamasco Neighborhood Porch Fest. Event organizers say they wanted to give the area a chance to shine, and remind people the neighborhood is more than just Franklin Street.

“We just want people who are new to the neighborhood to be able to meet other neighbors that have maybe been here longer, get to know each other, everybody get to see what Lamasco really has to offer,” said Love Lamasco Neighborhood Association member and event organizer Jen Hamilton.

The event included nine different local musicians or bands playing on nine different porches. For some of the groups, which are accustomed to traveling to perform, it meant a lot to play for the hometown crowd.

“It’s definitely so nice to be around here and not have to drive an hour and a half away for a gig, honestly,” said “Guys Being Dudes” bassist Isaac Butler. “And it was a great turnout, more than I expected, more than I think we expected, so I’m super thankful.”

The event was a unique opportunity for 14-year-old singer-songwriter Sophie Annabella, who says she can sometimes struggle to find places to perform because of her age.

“It was really fun,” said Annabella. “I like being able to play new places, especially here because it’s just like a really pretty day.”

This appreciation for the weather was shared by the event’s guest of honor: 101-year-old neighborhood resident Sally Overbey.

“I just think it’s pleasant, don’t you?” said Overbey. “It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold, it’s just right, just right for a 100-year-old woman.”

The event also included several local food trucks alongside a family fun zone complete with bounce houses, games, and more.

Event organizers say Lamasco is a neighborhood with a low average income compared to the rest of Evansville, and they’re working to make it as good a place as they can.

This is something even the bands appreciate seeing.

“It feels great,” said “Guys Being Dudes” drummer Luke Freeman. “I’m from Darmstadt especially, and I know that we’ve been trying to push a lot of community growth there and seeing the west side of Evansville out here, you know there’s more than just Franklin Street.”

Event organizers hope to see this become an annual event.

For more information on the Love Lamasco Neighborhood Association, or to keep an eye out for upcoming events, visit https://www.lovelamasco.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/LoveLamasco.

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