Shout it from the rooftops: Musical extravaganza Porchfest set for Sunday

The band 19 mph plays on the roof of Jetpack Comics on North Main Street in downtown Rochester as part of the city's 2018 Porchfest celebration. (Corinna Cole photo)

ROCHESTER - The countdown is on for Rochester's Fourth Annual Porchfest, a musical street party featuring dozens of bands playing at outdoor venues throughout the downtown from Noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.

According to Anthony Ejarque, executive director of the Rochester Opera House and a Porchfest organizer, the event allows folks "to walk around throughout the downtown and hear a little bit of everything."

Every conceivable genre is expected to be represented in this eclectic mix of both aspiring and regionally renowned musicians as they perform for free to raise money for music scholarships for under-served students at the Rochester Performance and Arts Center.

Jenry Towle, director of education at RPAC, said organizers this year are looking to concentrate bands in closer proximity to make it easier for fans to enjoy all Porchfest has to offer while walking less.

"We're reformatting our schedule a little bit to pull all of our talent into the downtown, using stages multiple times throughout the day and creating more of a centralized location," she said on Tuesday.

She also added they hope to surpass the number of all-access wristbands sold last year.

The wristbands, which cost $10 and will be readily available during the afternoon in the Union Street parking lot, get the wearer discounts at local businesses and restaurants as well as admission to the after party at The Garage. All of the wristband proceeds go directly to RPAC's scholarship program.

More than 30 bands and solo artists are scheduled to play on outdoor stages throughout the downtown. There will also be food, vendors and dancing in the Union Street parking lot.

Among the many well-known local and regional bands that will be playing are Wreckless Child, Marcy Drive, 3 Shades of Gray, Daisy Cutter featuring former Bang N Jane frontman Mike Frampton, Badtude, 25 Cent Habit, Cameron Drive Project and Aunt Peg.

Sponsors of the event include Collectiques, Jetpack Comics and Games and Sprinkles and Smiles.

Co-sponsors include Fallen Leaf Bistro and The Rochester Voice.

Sunday's weather forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, with a high of 71 and a 30 percent chance of showers, according to AccuWeather.

If postponed, the rain date is Oct. 3.

For more info and sponsorship forms click here.