Dear Neighbor,
The 2nd Annual San Rafael PorchFest is happening in our neighborhood from 12 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. PorchFest is a free community day of music organized for all ages by the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association with a “Use Permit” issued by the City of San Rafael. It is expected to fill the streets with attendees coming to enjoy dozens of musical acts playing on porches throughout the neighborhood. It will encompass a six-block area west of D St., from San Rafael Ave. down to Ross St. and west to Clark St. A diverse set of artists are set to play, including include folk, bluegrass, gospel, soul, gypsy jazz, blues, country, Latin, funk, Argentine tango and children’s music.
What You Need To Know
Street Closures
These streets (all west of D St.) will be closed to traffic from 11:00am-6:00pm on 9/22:
Open Streets for Thru Traffic: Ross St. & Clark St.
Ross St. and Clark St. (and all streets west of Clark) will remain open to access streets west of the park and streets in the hills. D Street (and all streets east of D St.) will remain open, however please expect delays.
No Parking on One Side of Ross Street
In an effort to keep traffic moving and pedestrians safe, we have arranged for permits to post “No Parking” signs on the North side of Ross St., between Marin St. And D St. Signs will be posted by the City three days in advance of PorchFest.
Free Event Parking & Whistlestop Shuttle
To ease the burden of traffic and parking in the neighborhood, participants are encouraged to bike or walk. Additionally, Whistlestop is running a handicap accessible shuttle between the City of San Rafael’s parking lot on C St. @ 3rd St. and the D St. @ Bayview entrance of the Porch Zone, from 11am to 6pm. Both parking and the Whistlestop Shuttle will be FREE. Free parking will also be available during the event at several nearby parking lots, including 711 D Street between 1st and 2nd Streets. Self-park bike stations will be available throughout the event.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers receive a t-shirt, lunch and a lot of appreciation! Event day jobs (in 2 hour shifts) include: Assist at barricades at key intersections, Block Captains, technical assistants for performers, T-Shirt sales, traffic control and other fun jobs. Signup at sanrafaelporchfest.com.
Porch Locations & Bands
As we get closer, check our event website (sanrafaelporchfest.com) for the official 2019 map with Porch locations and band assignments. Porch locations and bands were strategically chosen and assigned to avoid “sound bleed”. We are no longer accepting requests for porches or bands for this year’s event.
Food Trucks
We promised more food this year, and boy are we honoring that! Banh Mi Zon Vietnamese, Tony’s Black Star BBQ, Three Twins Ice Cream, Naughty Dawg hot dogs, Tacos el Muchacho Alegre, and Sushi Shoubu are all committed to serving food this year! Find them in front of Gerstle Park and in front of Short School. NO ALCOHOL will be sold at PorchFest.
Kick-off the Event with a New Orleans Style Brass Band
The afternoon will kick off with the sounds of an authentic New Orleans Style Brass Band, who will march thru the neighborhood. Meet us at 11:45 a.m. in front of Gerstle Park if you’d like to join us and walk with the band through the streets of the neighborhood!
PorchStock: Benefit Concert for PorchFest @ Terrapin on 9/29
We are excited to announce that several of our larger bands have agreed to play a benefit concert for PorchFest at Terrapin Crossroads on Sunday, 9/29 (a week after PorchFest). Doors 6:30 / Show 7:30. Ages 16+. Tickets $25 plus service fee at www.terrapincrossroads.net.
Additional Questions?
PorchFest is brought to you by the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA). Contact us at [email protected] or call (415)716-0130.
The 2nd Annual San Rafael PorchFest is happening in our neighborhood from 12 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. PorchFest is a free community day of music organized for all ages by the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association with a “Use Permit” issued by the City of San Rafael. It is expected to fill the streets with attendees coming to enjoy dozens of musical acts playing on porches throughout the neighborhood. It will encompass a six-block area west of D St., from San Rafael Ave. down to Ross St. and west to Clark St. A diverse set of artists are set to play, including include folk, bluegrass, gospel, soul, gypsy jazz, blues, country, Latin, funk, Argentine tango and children’s music.
What You Need To Know
Street Closures
These streets (all west of D St.) will be closed to traffic from 11:00am-6:00pm on 9/22:
- Bayview St. (from D St. to Clark St.)
- San Rafael Ave. (from D St. to Clark St.)
- Marin St. (from San Rafael Ave. to Clayton Ave.)
- Clorinda Ave. (from Marin St. to Clark St.)
Open Streets for Thru Traffic: Ross St. & Clark St.
Ross St. and Clark St. (and all streets west of Clark) will remain open to access streets west of the park and streets in the hills. D Street (and all streets east of D St.) will remain open, however please expect delays.
No Parking on One Side of Ross Street
In an effort to keep traffic moving and pedestrians safe, we have arranged for permits to post “No Parking” signs on the North side of Ross St., between Marin St. And D St. Signs will be posted by the City three days in advance of PorchFest.
Free Event Parking & Whistlestop Shuttle
To ease the burden of traffic and parking in the neighborhood, participants are encouraged to bike or walk. Additionally, Whistlestop is running a handicap accessible shuttle between the City of San Rafael’s parking lot on C St. @ 3rd St. and the D St. @ Bayview entrance of the Porch Zone, from 11am to 6pm. Both parking and the Whistlestop Shuttle will be FREE. Free parking will also be available during the event at several nearby parking lots, including 711 D Street between 1st and 2nd Streets. Self-park bike stations will be available throughout the event.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers receive a t-shirt, lunch and a lot of appreciation! Event day jobs (in 2 hour shifts) include: Assist at barricades at key intersections, Block Captains, technical assistants for performers, T-Shirt sales, traffic control and other fun jobs. Signup at sanrafaelporchfest.com.
Porch Locations & Bands
As we get closer, check our event website (sanrafaelporchfest.com) for the official 2019 map with Porch locations and band assignments. Porch locations and bands were strategically chosen and assigned to avoid “sound bleed”. We are no longer accepting requests for porches or bands for this year’s event.
Food Trucks
We promised more food this year, and boy are we honoring that! Banh Mi Zon Vietnamese, Tony’s Black Star BBQ, Three Twins Ice Cream, Naughty Dawg hot dogs, Tacos el Muchacho Alegre, and Sushi Shoubu are all committed to serving food this year! Find them in front of Gerstle Park and in front of Short School. NO ALCOHOL will be sold at PorchFest.
Kick-off the Event with a New Orleans Style Brass Band
The afternoon will kick off with the sounds of an authentic New Orleans Style Brass Band, who will march thru the neighborhood. Meet us at 11:45 a.m. in front of Gerstle Park if you’d like to join us and walk with the band through the streets of the neighborhood!
PorchStock: Benefit Concert for PorchFest @ Terrapin on 9/29
We are excited to announce that several of our larger bands have agreed to play a benefit concert for PorchFest at Terrapin Crossroads on Sunday, 9/29 (a week after PorchFest). Doors 6:30 / Show 7:30. Ages 16+. Tickets $25 plus service fee at www.terrapincrossroads.net.
Additional Questions?
PorchFest is brought to you by the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA). Contact us at [email protected] or call (415)716-0130.
