In Pictures: See highlights from this year's third annual Porch Fest in Carriage Town

FLINT, Michigan — On Friday, July 15, Flint residents were welcomed to enjoy live music, local food, pop-up poetry, and a friendly atmosphere surrounding the historic Victorian porches on W. First Ave & Mason St.

Hundreds attended Porch Fest for the first time but for some, it has become an annual event that can’t be missed. David Petroski, a local skateboarder and Flint resident, has gone to Porch Fest every year. “My friends are mostly why I came out today. There’s so many people that are performing or have their art here, too. I just really wanted to support my friends today,” said Petroski. 

David Petroski poses for a portrait during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)
The streets were filled with vintage couches where guests laughed, shared cigars, and watched all the happenings in Carriage Town. The melody of ‘Bennie and The Jets’ poured out from a saxophone brightening and filling the streets of Carriage Town during the start of Porch Fest.

Live music filled the streets in Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)Tony Vu, the founder of Flint Social Club and previous owner of Ma Mang, a soul Vietnamese restaurant, added to the night’s events. Mang hosted a single-seating outdoor dining experience for 12 guests during Porch Fest — a vision and idea he has been working on for three years. 

On Facebook, Mang created an open invitation for anyone who would like to have a seat for his cajun-flavored seafood boil. The table was placed next to one of the porches and was covered in cold cans of PBR and newspaper.

Guests eagerly anticipated the outdoor dining experience as Mang provided plastic bibs and gloves for dinner.

Tony Vu spreads his seafood boil dinner out for special guests during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)When Mang poured out two buckets of the seafood boil dinner, the aroma drew a huge crowd as guests dove into the meal. “The beauty of this is that, you know, there’s a bunch of couples and none of them know each other. That’s the best part. This is just awesome to finally see come to life,” said Mang. 

The night continued on with music from local musicians: Jeff Skigh, Big Donut, DJ Chef Nate, Fernanado Silverio Solis Y El Sueño, Jason Waggoner, and more. 

This year’s Porch Fest was sponsored by Greater Flint Arts Council, Neighborhood Engagement Hub, Communities First Inc, Kettering University, The Arrowhead Vets Club, and The Loft. 

Scroll down to see highlights moments from this year’s third annual Porch Fest: 

Bubbles, games, and chalk are provided for kids during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Scenes from during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Scenes during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

An onlooker soaks in the festivities during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Scenes from during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Scenes from during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

A couple is serenaded by saxophone during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Guests enjoy outdoor seating, drinks, and cigars during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live Music flows from the porches of Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Carriage Town streets fill with people during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Scenes from during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Robin, Jim, and Nyota sit and laugh together during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Guests prepare a table for a unique outdoor dining experience during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Tony Vu, the founder of Flint Social Club, welcomes dinner guests to his outdoor seafood boil during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

An ice-cold PBR rests on a table during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Tony Vu pours out a fresh seafood boil for guests during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Tony Vu's fresh seafood boil rests on newspapers for dinner guests to eat during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Guests dive into the fresh seafood boil during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

A kid plays in the rain during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Torandis Mack smokes as he enjoys a moment during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Guests watch live local music during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Live music was played by local bands during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Sugar Shack provided food during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Pictured from left to right; Nicholas Morgan, Zavier Wilson, and Aidan Alston enjoy hotdogs outside their grandmother's house during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

Alex Davis, the owner of Twauny Lo's Tacos, serves local favorites during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

The Weather Ball sits high on the city skyline view from Carriage Town during Porch Fest on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | Flintside)

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