Joliet Park District and CAPA present...
Porch & Park Music Fest! August 16, 2025
A community music event at historic porches and Preservation Park in Joliet, IL - 710 Taylor St.
About Porch & Park Music Fest
About Porch & Park Music Fest
Porch & Park Music Fest is a free event bringing together some of our area's most talented original musicians, plus friends from the touring community, for afternoon performances on porches in Joliet's historic Cathedral Area, followed by an evening free concert at Preservation Park, 710 Taylor St.
How Does It Work??
From 1:30 - 5 PM, take a walking rotation through the Cathedral Area to catch different music acts on various porches, then head to Preservation Park for the main concert event from 5:30 - 9 PM. Bring your own chair/blanket and pack your own goodies and refreshments. Food will be available for purchase in the neighborhood from Magpie's Joy Of Eating, and in the park from our friends at Moe Joe's Cajun & Caribbean Cuisine! Pick up your map of participating porches at Preservation Park or any of the porch sites beginning at 1 PM - Porch locations and pics listed below on this site...
Is it family-friendly!
Yes, it's a family-friendly event. We have a "Kids' Porch" and activity area in the neighborhood, and Preservation Park has a playground close to the stage area! We'll also have our talented hooper friend Emily on hand with a bunch of hula hoops for the kids (and young-at-heart)!
Cost to attend?? It's FREE! Thanks to our kind partners and sponsors - Blue Ribbon Products, Turk Furniture, Moore Glass, D'Arcy Buick-GMC, The Voyager Group, Contractor Source, Milano Bakery, RME Audio-Video, Servepro Team Kent-Melone, Lori Gilmore - Realtor, Nail Inn Academy, Barry Moroni, University of St. Francis, Joliet Park District, Cathedral Area Preservation Association. If you would like to help sponsor "Porch & Park" please contact timplacher@gmail.com
THANK YOU to our kind partners and sponsors - Blue Ribbon Products, Turk Furniture, Moore Glass, D'Arcy Buick-GMC, The Voyager Group, Contractor Source, Milano Bakery, RME Audio-Video, Servepro Team Kent-Melone, Lori Gilmore - Relator, Nail Inn Academy, Barrie Moroni, University of St. Francis, Joliet Park District, Cathedral Area Preservation Association. If you would like to help sponsor "Porch & Park" please contact timplacher@gmail.com
Performers, Participants & Porches!
Porch & Park 2025 lineup!
The Big Lagniappe (New Orleans-style Brass/Cajun); John Condron & The Old Gang Orchestra (Original music); Mariachi de Joliet; Nashville Porch with Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks, Lucy isabel and Pierce Pettis; Crooked Tails, i.am.james (Michigan artist Sierra Cassidy); Earth City Expresss; Chicago Blues Angels (Mondo Cortez and Bri Backman), Dan Dougherty Band; Jaik Willis; Amanda & Michael Roach; Irish Music with Gavin Coyle, Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne & Friends; Tom & Becky Maslowski; Cheryl Rodey and Colleen Wild; Brass/Jazz Porch with 3rd City Brass Band & Mr. Lucky and His Orchestra Of Tomorrow; T-Bird Huck; Rock Porch with Dazed and Confused - Led Zeppelin Tribute and Righteous Hillbillies
FAQ!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Porch & Park Music Fest
Where: Joliet Cathedral Area porches from 1:30-5 PM, then a concert at Preservation Park, 701 Taylor St., Joliet, from 5:30 - 9 PM
When: Saturday, August 16, 2025. Porch maps available at Preservation Park or any porch location at 1:00 PM on August 16.
What is the “Porch & Park Fest?” – Porch & Park Music Fest is a free, family-friendly event bringing together some of our area's most talented original musicians, plus friends from the touring community, for afternoon performances on porches in Joliet's historic Cathedral Area, followed by an evening free concert at Preservation Park, 710 Taylor St.
What else is there to do besides listening to great music? – CAPA (Cathedral Area Preservation Association) reps will have maps for historic self-tours of the neighborhood, a kids' porch and activity area in the neighborhood, playground for kids at Preservation Park, local food vendors in the neighborhood and park, plus art and craft vendors!
Will there be food and drink available?— Yes,there will be tasty food avaialble at Preservation Park from Moe Joe's Cajun and Carribean Cuisine and out in the neighborhood from Magpie's Joy Of Eating! Bring your own chair and cooler, beverages and refreshments for the afternoon and evening.
Where do I park?— Street parking is available throughout the Cathedral Area neighborhood, near the park, and you are free to use the nearby lots at University of St. Francis and at west end of the field at Preservation Park. FOR 2025, CATHEDRAL AREA STREET CONSTRUCTION MAY AFFECT PARKING AND STREET ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE FEST AREA-- PLEASE BE PATIENT!
Where can I get a map and addresses of the porch locations? – The porch addresses and locations will be available on a map with pictures of each porch downloadable from this Web page, plus maps will be available on the day of the event at each porch and Preservation Park at 1:00 PM. Members of CAPA will be there to greet you at each location. Signs with scannable QR codes will be posted throughout the fest providing direct connection to the Porch & Park Web site on your phone!
Look for the smiley face flags! - When in doubt, all of our locations will be marked with smiley face flags out in front!
Does it cost anything to attend?— Nope! It's a FREE event kindly hosted by the Joliet Park District and Cathedral Area residents with generous support from our patrons and sponsors. If you'd like to contribute to the event , there will be donation buckets and QR codes at each porch location. All donations go to support the music! You can also support the musicians by purchasing their merchandise at the porch locations or the park!
What should I bring?— Bring a chair, your own cooler with goodies and refreshments, sunscreen, and maybe some bug spray. Bring your purse or wallet to purchase delicious food from Magpie's Joy of Eating, Moe Joe's, some merch from our talented musicians, and if the spirit moves you, a few dollars in the donation buckets!
What’s the bathroom situation?— There will be Porta Potties at the corner of Taylor and Wilcox to serve the park. Additional Porta Potties will be located at near the Western Ave. porches at 903 and 616 Western (on Wilcox), On Clement St. between Western and Campbell, and on Buell Ave near Whitney.
Is "Porch & Park" family friendly?— Yes, families are welcome! We have a family/kids' area on Western Ave, and Preservation Park has a nice playground area for kids. Our friend Emily Bandera, a talented hoop artist, is bringing a bunch of hoops to the park for the enjoyment of young and old!
Will merchandise be available? – You can support our musicians (and say Hi!) by purchasing some of their latest merchandise and music! Porch & Park merch will be available at Preservation Park.
Can I bring a pet? Please leave the pets at home. Our event uses private homes and yards. The owners' generous permission to use their porches and yards does not include an invitation to bring animals onto their property.
What if it rains? What if the weather is severe? –Being a rain or shine event, every attempt will be made to complete the show. With regard to severe weather, we will be monitoring the weather. In the event of showers, throw open an umbrella and dance in the rain. If severe weather approaches, additional measures, including cancellation, may be necessary (But we HOPE NOT!!!)
Where can I find the music lineup and performance times?— The Porch times and musicians will be listed on this site, available on day-of-event flyers/maps and will be posted on the "Porch & Park Music Fest" FB page and on IG: @porchandparkmusicfest!!
2025 Porches & artists!
613 Buell Ave. - Crooked Tails, i.a.james (Mich), Earth City Express (Bluegrass)
613 Buell Ave. - Crooked Tails, i.a.james (Mich), Earth City Express (Bluegrass)
613 Buell Ave. - Crooked Tails, i.a.james (Mich), Earth City Express (Bluegrass)
506 Buell Ave. - Mariachi de Joliet
613 Buell Ave. - Crooked Tails, i.a.james (Mich), Earth City Express (Bluegrass)
613 Buell Ave. - Crooked Tails, i.a.james (Mich), Earth City Express (Bluegrass)
600 Buell Ave. - T-Bird Huck / Magpie's Food
613 Buell Ave. - Crooked Tails, i.a.james (Mich), Earth City Express (Bluegrass)
408 Whitney Ave. - Jaik Willis / Chicago Blues Angels
408 Whitney Ave. - Jaik Willis / Chicago Blues Angels
Milano Golf Cart - Milano Bakery tossing out goodies around the naighborhood!
408 Whitney Ave. - Jaik Willis / Chicago Blues Angels
Milano Golf Cart - Milano Bakery tossing out goodies around the naighborhood!
Milano Golf Cart - Milano Bakery tossing out goodies around the naighborhood!
Milano Golf Cart - Milano Bakery tossing out goodies around the naighborhood!
708 Western Ave. - Dan Dougherty Band/ 3rd City Brass / Mr. Lucky & Orchestra of Tomorrow
602 Western - Nashville Artists: Lucy Isabel, Pierce Pettis, Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks
602 Western - Nashville Artists: Lucy Isabel, Pierce Pettis, Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks
602 Western - Nashville Artists: Lucy Isabel, Pierce Pettis, Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks
602 Western - Nashville Artists: Lucy Isabel, Pierce Pettis, Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks
602 Western - Nashville Artists: Lucy Isabel, Pierce Pettis, Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks
616 Western - Joliet Symphony Orchestra ensembles + Magpie's Food
602 Western - Nashville Artists: Lucy Isabel, Pierce Pettis, Makena Hartlin, Tabitha Meeks
601 Campbell St. - Cheryl Rodey, Colleen Wild, Michael & Amanda Roach
601 Campbell St. - Cheryl Rodey, Colleen Wild, Michael & Amanda Roach
617 Campbell St. - Becky & Tom; Irish Music: Anne Hatfield-Martin & Max Dunne ; Gavin Coyle
601 Campbell St. - Cheryl Rodey, Colleen Wild, Michael & Amanda Roach
617 Campbell St. - Becky & Tom; Irish Music: Anne Hatfield-Martin & Max Dunne ; Gavin Coyle
617 Campbell St. - Becky & Tom; Irish Music: Anne Hatfield-Martin & Max Dunne ; Gavin Coyle
617 Campbell St. - Becky & Tom; Irish Music: Anne Hatfield-Martin & Max Dunne ; Gavin Coyle
903 Western Ave. - Rock with "Dazed & Confused" Led Zeppelin / Righteous Hillbillies
903 Western Ave. - Rock with "Dazed & Confused" Led Zeppelin / Righteous Hillbillies
903 Western Ave. - Rock with "Dazed & Confused" Led Zeppelin / Righteous Hillbillies
606 and 615 Western Ave.- More local artists
903 Western Ave. - Rock with "Dazed & Confused" Led Zeppelin / Righteous Hillbillies
903 Western Ave. - Rock with "Dazed & Confused" Led Zeppelin / Righteous Hillbillies
615 Western Ave.- Local artists/vendors
903 Western Ave. - Rock with "Dazed & Confused" Led Zeppelin / Righteous Hillbillies
615 Western Ave.- Local artists/vendors
619 Western Ave. Lemonade stand!
621 Western Ave. Kids' activities! (Right next door to the Lemonade)
615 Western Ave.- Local artists/vendors
621 Western Ave. Kids' activities! (Right next door to the Lemonade)
621 Western Ave. Kids' activities! (Right next door to the Lemonade)
621 Western Ave. Kids' activities! (Right next door to the Lemonade)
2025 Schedule: Porches, Park, Kids, arts/crafts, Food
2025 Porch Music Schedule!
Rotate among porches to catch a wide variety of music artists!
408 Whitney Ave. 1:30 - 4:30 PM Guitar Slayers
Jaik Willis (One Man Band) 1:30 - 2:30
Chicago Blues Angels (Mondo Cortez) 3:00 - 4:30
506 Buell Ave. - 2:30 -3:30 PM Mariachi!
Mariachi de Joliet - 2:30 - 3:30 PM
600 Buell Ave. - 1:30-2:30;3:30-4:45 Blues
T-Bird Huck - 1:30 - 2:30, then a break for Mariachi de Joliet, then again from 3:30 - 4:45
613 Buell Ave. - 1:30 - 5:00 PM Americana/Michigan/Bluegrass
Local band Crooked Tails (Americana) 1:30 - 2:30
Michigan artist i.am.james (Sierra Cassidy and Catherine Lebo) 2:30 - 3:30
Earth City Express (Bluegrass) 3:45 - 5 PM
903 Western Ave. - 1:30 - 5 PM Rock/Blues Porch
"Dazed and Confused" Led Zeppelin - 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Righteous Hillbillies - 3:15- 4:45 PM
708 Western Ave. - 2 - 5 PM Rock / Brass & Jazz Porch
Dan Dougherty Band 1:30 - 2-30
3rd City Brass Band 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Mr. Lucky and His Orchestra Of Tomorrow 3:30 PM
613 Buell Ave. - 1:30 - 5:00 PM Americana/Michigan/Bluegrass
Local band Crooked Tails (Americana) 1:30 - 2:30
Michigan artist i.am.james (Sierra Cassidy and Catherine Lebo) 2:30 - 3:30
Earth City Express (Bluegrass) 3:45 - 5 PM
602 Western Ave. - 1:30 - 4:30 PM Nashville Porch
Nashville singer/songwriters playing their original songs
1:30 PM - Lucy Isabel and Pierce Pettis
2:30 - Tabitha Meeks Trio
3:30 Makena Hartlin
617 Campbell St. - 2-5 PM Irish Music/Local Artists
1:30 - Becky and Tom Maslowski
2:40 - Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin & Max Dunne
3:45 - Gavin Coyle
Art booth with Becky Blue Designs
601 Campbell St. - 1:30 - 4:45 PM Songwriters & Duo
1:30 - Cheryl Rodey & Colleen Wild
3:30 - Amanda & Michael Roach
606 & 615 Western Ave. - Art/Craft Booths
Art and crafts from local artists and vendors!
619 Western Ave. - Lemonade!
Neighborhood kids hoping to stuff their pockets with $ by selling you tasty ice-cold lemonade!
621 Western Ave. - Kids' Activities
Local girl scouts from Troop 75493 running crafts and fun and for kids, and may also be playing a few tunes for you on their school band instruments!
616 Western Ave. (Back Porch) 1:30 - 5:00 PM - Joliet Symphony Orchestra & Magpie's Food
1:30 - 5:00 PM - Joliet Symphony Orchestra ensembles entertain throughout the afternoon from the lovely back porch!
Magpie's Joy Of Eating will be on hand at the corner of Wilcox and Western with delicious grab & go food items.
Preservation Park 2025 Schedule
5:30 PM - Nashville Musicians
7 PM - John Condron & The Old Gang Orchestra
8:00 PM - The Big Lagniappe (New Orleans-style Brass & Funk)
9:00 PM - Fest closes
9:30 PM - Shukin & The Ramblers (at the Drunken Donut)!
- Emily Bandera on hand at the Preservation Park playground with hula hoops and other fun items for the kids and young-at-heart!
- Moe Joe's Cajun has their award-winning food available for purchase!
2025 Porch Lineup!
The Big Lagniappe
John Condron & The OGO
John Condron & The OGO
Lively & unique, Big Lagniappe is an ever-evolving unit of musicians that blend rock, jazz, blues, electronic, hip-hop, & R&B to create original music & energetic interpretations of traditional favorites.
John Condron & The OGO
John Condron & The OGO
John Condron & The OGO
One of our area's most popular Singer/Songwriters, joined by his Old Gang Orchestra- Ellis Wright, Tom Maslowski, Doneco Nudi
Crooked Tails
John Condron & The OGO
Crooked Tails
Our area's premier singer/songwrter band, joining forces of Allison Flood, Brain Motyll, John Condron, Doneco Nudi and Chris Foray
i.am.james
Makena Hartlin
Crooked Tails
Michigan singer/songwriter i.am.james (Sierra Cassidy) won honors at Berklee College Of Music, performed in Nashville for five years, and now runs a summer music series in her home of Lake Leelanau, MI.
Makena Hartlin
Makena Hartlin
Makena Hartlin
On the Nashville Porch: The "Songbird Of Nashville," Singer/Songwriter originally from New Lenox, IL
Tabitha Meeks
Makena Hartlin
Makena Hartlin
Nashville's "Retro Pop Queen." Tabitha's feel good throwback music will make you bop your head, tap your toes and feel empowered all at once.
Lucy Isabel
Pierce Pettis
Pierce Pettis
On the Nashville Porch, Lucy Isabel is a folk/Americana singer-songwriter splitting time between Nashville and New Jersey.
Pierce Pettis
Pierce Pettis
Pierce Pettis
On the Nashville Porch: Pierce is a master musical storyteller, delivering human truth and heartbreaking vulnerability with every tune. He's also an unnecessarily virtuosic guitarist.
Pierce Pettis
Pierce Pettis
"Dazed and Confused"- Led Zeppelin Tribute
Righteous Hillbillies bring a revival of the Southern spirit of Blues boogie, soul groove, along with the primal and visceral energy of rock ‘n’ roll power.
"Dazed and Confused"- Led Zeppelin Tribute
"Dazed and Confused"- Led Zeppelin Tribute
"Dazed and Confused"- Led Zeppelin Tribute
Zep music by some of the best Chicago area players, assembled by, and featuring, Edward Page
Colleen Wild & Cheryl Rodey
"Dazed and Confused"- Led Zeppelin Tribute
Colleen Wild & Cheryl Rodey
Two of the best singer/songwriters of our area join forces for Porch & Park!
3rd City Brass Band
"Dazed and Confused"- Led Zeppelin Tribute
Colleen Wild & Cheryl Rodey
The premier brass band of the Chicago south 'burbs!
Michael & Amanda Roach
Mr. Lucky & His Orchestra Of Tomorrow
Michael & Amanda Roach
They live right in the neighborhood, and we love having Amanda and Michael share their music on our porches!
Earth City Express
Mr. Lucky & His Orchestra Of Tomorrow
Michael & Amanda Roach
Caleb Catalano and members of ROXY Lockport's regular Bluegrass Jam join us for a lively porch session!
Mr. Lucky & His Orchestra Of Tomorrow
Mr. Lucky & His Orchestra Of Tomorrow
Mr. Lucky & His Orchestra Of Tomorrow
Mr. Lucky brings out his swingin' crew to the Brass/Jazz Porch!
Tom & Becky
Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends!
Mr. Lucky & His Orchestra Of Tomorrow
Summer 2024 brings the return of one of the Joliet-area's favorite duos, Becky and Tom Maslowski!
Magpie's Joy Of Eating
Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends!
Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends!
At 616 Western (Wilcox side) grab some delicious Magpie's food to go, or sit down and enjoy the backyard music!
Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends!
Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends!
Irish Music with Anne Hatfield-Martin, Max Dunne and Friends!
"Lord Of The Dance" fiddler Anne Hatfield-Martin and Max Dunne host an Irish music session, also featuring Irish flute player Joe Nielsen and fiddler Samantha Nielsen!
Mariachi de Joliet
Mariachi de Joliet
Mariachi de Joliet
Mariachi de Joliet is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich tradition of mariachi music through passionate performances, education, and community engagement.
Jaik Willis
Mariachi de Joliet
Mariachi de Joliet
One-man-band Jaik Willis plays an 11 piece drum set with his feet, while playing guitar/bass/harps, and singing while beatboxing simultaneously without any looping or electronics.
Are you not entertained?!
Dan Dougherty Band
Mariachi de Joliet
Dan Dougherty Band
BAD IDEAS and FUN TIMES AHEAD albums are now both available on all streaming platforms and on vinyl in the store! Album three coming in 2025.
Gavin Coyle
Joliet Symphony Orchestra
Dan Dougherty Band
The "All-Ireland" singing champion from Derry makes his first appearance at Porch & Park!
Joliet Symphony Orchestra
Joliet Symphony Orchestra
Joliet Symphony Orchestra
Several ensembles of Joliet Symphony Orchestra members entertain at Porch & Park for the first time!
Preservation Park Lineup - 710 Taylor St (5:30-9 PM)!
Preservation Park Stage Artists
Preservation Park Stage Artists
Preservation Park Stage Artists
Live music in the park from 5:30 - 9 PM
5:30 - Nashville & Michigan Artists
7:00 - John Condron & The Old Gang Orchestra
8:00 - The Big Lagniappe
Moe Joe's Cajun!
Preservation Park Stage Artists
Preservation Park Stage Artists
Delicious food available for purchase at Preservation Park from Moe Joe's Cajun!
Kids' activities
Preservation Park Stage Artists
Kids' activities
Local hooper Emily Bandera will be on hand to entertain kids with an array of hula hoops and other fun items! Plus, there's a beautiful playground onsite.
Help Our Cause
Support Porch & Park Music Fest with a donation that goes directly to supporting the many participating performers!
