PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After a year with no live entertainment, hundreds in West Philadelphia were in store for a treat Saturday afternoon, as the annual West Philly Porchfest returned.
Porchfest is a free community music festival where musicians perform live from porches around the West Philadelphia neighborhood. The idea began in Ithaca, New York in 2007, but Philly's festival has been running since 2016.
It was over 90 degrees, but the streets near 43rd Street and Hazel Avenue were livelier than ever.
"It's hot out, but it's nice to be able to walk around and see everyone on the porches," said one attendee.
"We hadn't heard live music in what felt like ages," said another, "so it's nice to walk around and see what life without COVID can look like."
Hundreds of people of various ages and backgrounds partied in the streets as various bands performed, including Agent Moosehead, Ronald Reagan? The Actor? and PhillyBloco.
Music wasn't all that was on display. Comedy was featured on a couple of porches. Comedian Alejandro Morales said his show ended up on a back porch, but a simple sign out front had people pouring in.
"With all the music going on, I wasn't sure how many people would opt for standup comedy, but plenty did," he said. "Bless them."
The heat didn't stop a beat. Some residents set up a water hose where kids were having the time of their lives running through it getting soaked.
"People definitely dressed for the heat. I had my little sweat hanky," said Morales. "Otherwise I wouldn't say I saw anyone visibly struggling with the heat."