If you took a stroll down East High
Street this past Friday evening, you may have thought you’d wandered into a
small-town music festival straight out of a dream. With porches transformed
into stages, hundreds of music lovers filled the sidewalks, yards, and front
lawns for the summer Front Porch Concert Series, a vibrant community
celebration of live music, local spirit, and summer fun. Community members
enjoyed lively conversations, spontaneous singalongs, dancing in the streets,
quality family time, great food, and unforgettable fun — all wrapped in the
warm glow of a perfect summer evening.
Among the many talented acts lighting
up the evening was Blue Diggity, an amazing four-piece bluegrass band from
Wheeling, West Virginia. Performing from the welcoming front porch of 503 E.
High St., their authentic sound and heartfelt lyrics transported audience
members back to the rolling hills and childhood memories of their West Virginia
roots.
Known for their tight harmonies,
lightning-fast string work and down-home charm, Blue Diggity captured the
spirit of bluegrass in a way that felt both fresh and deeply familiar. With
Isaiah Childers on guitar, Bailey Stephenson on banjo, Lilli Gadd on bass, and
Jimmy Hall on mandolin, their set featured songs from their new album
like “Blue Creek Mine,” “Sea of Heartbreak,” and
the lively “Pan Handle Breakdown,” which had the crowd swaying
and tapping along with nostalgic delight.
Six Miles to Nellie performs during the Front Porch Concert Series on Aug. 15 in Mount Vernon.Denise Neff
Just down the block at 601 E. High
St., the band Six Miles to Nellie turned up the heat — quite literally —
with their electric rendition of “Heat Wave.” High Street
transformed into a full-on dance party as dozens of people ditched their lawn
chairs and started groovin’ to the rhythm, turning the quiet residential block
into a lively celebration of sound and movement. Music filled the air, and the street
became a sea of swaying hips, spinning couples, and carefree energy that echoed
the joy of the night.
The music was infectious — within
moments, the crowd was moving as one, with people twirling, kids
jumping to the beat, and friends forming impromptu dance circles right on the
pavement. With every beat and harmony echoing through the air, each porch
transformed into a high-energy hub that felt more like a summer festival stage
than a front step on High Street.
The evening wasn’t just about two
porches — it was a full-blown musical corridor. Other bands that rocked the
evening included fan favorites like The Third Degree, R2D2, Fat Tuesday, Hall
& Eyer, The Chalants, Echo, Alan Duffy, and Yonder n' Sutch. Each porch
brought its own vibe and crowd, from acoustic folk and bluesy rock to funk,
fusion, and experimental jams.
Lawn chairs dotted the yards and
sidewalks, where neighbors gathered in lively conversation and relaxed company.
People strolled between porches, exchanging smiles and sharing stories as the
music played on. The warm evening air carried the inviting aromas of food truck
fare, blending seamlessly with the sounds of laughter and melody. All around,
the neighborhood buzzed with the easy rhythm of good food, good music, and
great company filling every corner of the street.
The Front Porch Concert Series has
grown into one of Mount Vernon’s most beloved summer traditions, bringing
neighbors together in the most musical way imaginable. The committee behind the
event once again outdid themselves, creating a safe, fun, and family-friendly
evening that celebrated both local talent and visiting performers.
To the Front Porch Concert Series
Committee — take a bow. You’ve orchestrated something truly special. As one
attendee put it, “This is the kind of night that makes you fall in love with
your hometown all over again.”
Want to join the fun and make a
difference in the community? Explore opportunities to get involved with
Experience Mount Vernon by visiting www.experiencemv.org/committees.
Until next time— keep the
music playing and keep the porches rockin’.
