When Mayor Jim Brainard came back from a conference with the idea to start a new festival, he pulled some key strategists together to serve on the inaugural organizing committee. When the group gathered the first time, there was immediate agreement that Sue Finkam should serve as the chairwoman. So Blair Clark, Heather Ramsey Clark, Ron Carter, Justin Moffett and Austin Johnson began working on Carmel PorchFest. The results of their efforts were on display on Sept. 14 and many of you came out to enjoy their work.
Countless attendees were surprised to learn that 50 some performers spread across twenty front porches turned stage, could generate so much cool vibe. From 1 in the afternoon until 5, the neighborhood streets just north of the Carmel Arts and Design District were void of cars and instead, curb to curb with pedestrians enjoying the music.
So thank you for turning out, but even greater thanks to the volunteers who made the event run like clockwork. Heather Ramsey Clark figured out how to get the acts from drop-off to stage back to drop-off with Federal Express precision which only she could understand. Blair Clark and Austin Johnson not only searched high and low for the best free entertainment money could NOT buy but also nurtured them while in Carmel. Justin Moffett was the man with the porch connections, built the mini-porch and owns a pickup truck. But it was Ron Carter who has the uncanny ability to spot and anticipate choke points and turn potential disaster into no big deal.
But wait, there’s more. The volunteers showed up in force to execute the Committee’s well-laid plans. Paul Clore showed up early with Janie Gabinet to assist with preliminary setup. Jon Olson rallied average citizens and turned Dawn Fraley, Jill Gilmer, Pat Pickett, Rosemary & Paxton Waters, Dan Chester, Gary Sexton and Rachel & Bryan Ferry into Band Roadies. Jon & Lynn Bereman, Mark Benedict, Kellie & Mark Timerlake, Bruce Kimball, Chuck & Ally Hook, Debra Woodruff, Pat Schnarr, John Westermeier and Mark Bauer became a precision Band Transport Team.
Jody Schmith, Barbara Carter, Sue & Emily Westermeier, Jan Benedict, Karen Glazer, Tiffany Xie, Erin Smith and Nancy Sonntag served proudly as Stage Managers. Helping you with questions were Brittany, Madison & Diana Hook, Matt Klineman and Jane Reiman.
“It Takes a Village” became reality on Sunday in the Village of Carmel, Indiana. Good Day Carmel.
