On Saturday, Sept. 7, from noon to 5 p.m., the first-ever Guilford Porchfest will take center stage with local players serenading audiences from 22 different porches around downtown Guilford. For Guilford Porchfest co-founders Libby Kingsbury and Laurie Kenney, it’s going to be a memorable day of music and community.

About one year ago, Libby, a graphic artist by trade who specializes in bluegrass with her band Trolley Creek, contacted Laurie after seeing her featured in as a Person of the Week in the Guilford Courier. At the time, Laurie had just released her debut album, Every Apple Does Go Bad Eventually, after having challenged herself to learn guitar, write and sing original songs, and then record them for the first time at age 56.

Libby and Laurie already knew each other through their past mutual work at a Guilford publishing company, but had lost touch for about 10 years after moving on to other ventures. When Libby saw Laurie’s story, she immediately messaged her to get together.

“When I saw that she did her album, I said, ‘Wait a minute! I did not know you were into music!’”says Libby. “We got together for coffee, and we actually hatched the idea for Guilford Porchfest over coffee. We just decided we should do it, and that was it. Off we went.”

Their idea: to put on Guilford’s first-ever free, hyperlocal, all-volunteer community-building event featuring the musical talent and creativity of those who live or work in Guilford. Using their own time, talent, and skill sets, Libby and Laurie began connecting with local organizations, community leaders, homeowners, and interested local musicians and groups to pull it all together for the inaugural event.

On Sept. 7, Guilford Porchfest 2024 will feature over 40 performers on 22 porches throughout downtown Guilford. All porches have been loaned for the day by Guilford residents and organizations. All performances are free and open to the public. The event’s rain date is Sunday, Sept. 8.

In addition, thanks to the avid interest of town leaders, including First Selectman Matt Hoey, Libby and Laurie are inviting all to attend the Guilford Porchfest opening ceremony on the Town Green, where a Town Hall proclamation will also take place. The ceremony is set for 11 a.m. sharp on Sept. 7.

Once Guilford Porchfest gets underway, both Libby and Laurie will be among the day’s performers. Libby will play with Trolley Creek, and Laurie will be featured with Bumpy Chimes. A full listing of who is playing, where, and when appears at guilfordporchfest.com, together with a downloadable map of porch locations. On Sept. 7, print versions of the map will be also distributed at the kiosk outside the Greene Community Center on Church Street.

Throughout the past few months, the process of gathering performers for Guilford Porchfest was a matter of getting the word out on social media and by word of mouth. Libby and Laurie also built awareness by holding pop-ups at local spots, including area farmers’ markets, with some players coming out to perform.

“We wanted our performers to know they did not have to be professional in any way, shape, or form. It’s just to celebrate the joy of music and community. That’s really the goal,” says Libby. “In these crazy times, let’s do something where everybody puts aside their differences and gets together for the joy of music, performing, and all that good stuff. I think music is a great unifier.”

Libby, a Guilford native, started playing music at around age 11 after her grandmother gave her a ukulele.

“Somehow, I found my way to a book of chord charts in the living room, and I thought, ‘Oh, I can just put my fingers where those dots are, and I’ll be able to play!’” says Libby. “I never took any formal lessons until I was in my 40s.”

Libby played on a classical guitar until a friend loaned her a steel string guitar, which she absolutely loved.

“Then a friend introduced me to bluegrass, which I thought was so cool because it’s such participatory music,” she says. “Bluegrass is all about jamming and hanging out and playing music together.”

Libby began playing at a Bethany music gathering and then joined an ensemble group gathered by storied bluegrass recording artist Phil Rosenthal, a Guilford native. Rosenthal will also be among the group of Guilford Porchfest 2024 performers.

About a year ago, Libby established a jam at the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven, where the name for her band, Trolley Creek, was born. While Libby recently had to step away from the fun, the “Jam at the Museum” continues to be held on the first Tuesday of the month.

Of course, one of things keeping Libby busy has been helping to organize Guilford Porchfest. Now, Libby counts herself and Laurie among those looking forward to listening to the live music on Sept. 7.

“I hope we’ll have time to wander and take it all in,” says Libby. “It’s all within about a 10-minute walk from the green, and every hour there will be somewhere between eight and nine bands playing.”

Guilford Porchfest 2024 is being supported by sponsoring organizations GSB, The Guilford Foundation, Guilford Insurance, Shoreline Arts Alliance, GreenStage Guilford Live Arts, and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

“For Laurie and I, it’s really been an amazing experience already. We’re just so grateful to have had so many people on board with us right from the beginning,” says Libby.