Natick PorchFest kicked off fall in town with dozens of talented performers entertaining the public at venues ranging from a stage in front of the police station to driveways, front lawns, and yes, porches.

Singer and guitarist Roberta Lamb, looking around the classic porch she got to perform on, told the the crowd before breaking into a Bob Dylan tune how lucky she was to play there on this beautiful Saturday. Attendees felt pretty lucky too, with performers sharing their skills and local homeowners welcoming the public to gather ’round at this free music festival.

Musical styles varied, as you would hope, with hard rockin’ music on the stage in front of the police station wafting into the neighborhood across the street where we spent most of our time. Other bands, like Always in Season, brought more old-timey music to the event, while the Grateful Teds jammed for fans tie-dye, or not, and Miguel Melendez sang and strummed under a shade tree. Covers included songs from Woodie Guthrie, the White Stripes, Elton John, No Doubt, and the Animals.

Entertainment extended beyond porches to the streets. A dog wearing goggles due to light sensitivity grabbed lots of attention and pats, and you had to keep your head on a swivel to avoid cyclists and skateboarders weaving through at some points.

It was clear that the PorchFest party was going to last well beyond 6pm at some homes as well. Now that’s the sign of a successful event!

Thanks to Natick Center Associates, the Natick Community & Economic Development Department and a team of community volunteers for organizing PorchFest.