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his year’s Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival featured only North Carolina acts. There was no headliner. There was a bit of rain. But it didn’t stop the people from coming out to hear music in the village of Oriental.

Banjo is a mainstay in bluegrass festivals. This one belongs to award winning banjo (and guitar) player Steve Lewis, part of the Jeff Little Trio.

Jazz and Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel, Americana and Country. Music you might hear from a nearby house or porch or – as was the inspiration for the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival – from the porch of the local store where locals gathered to sing and entertain each other.

Mark Hoff (of Hoff ‘n Finch) and his granddaughter enjoying the music.

This year, twenty-six groups played the festival. Along South Ave, local non-profits sold everything from brats to vegetarian chili. The Ol’ Front Porch Music booth behind the Riverfront stage sold shirts and buttons.

Three days of music. And it’s free to attend.

Chatham Rabbits began playing Saturday afternoon. It started raining, but it didn’t keep them from playing – or the audience from enjoying the music; with ponchos and umbrellas at the ready, the crowd came prepared.

Mom and son dancing in the audience of the Riverfront stage.

The Jeff Little Trio opened the Festival on Friday morning at noon the Riverfront stage. They played again that evening to an overflowing crowd in the Brewery beer garden. Have a listen:

The Jeff Little Trio is a crowd favorite and has played the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival several times. They’re a unique bluegrass band in that Jeff plays it on piano.

Laurelyn Dossett closed out the Brewery with a sizeable crowd on Friday night.

Chairs waiting for humans on Neuse Drive.

Nu Blu Band was a newcomer to this year’s festival. Like the Jeff Little Trio, they played twice: once in the morning, and again in the evening.

Enjoying the music, the rain, and the water from the public bench near the Stallings House.

Jennifer Smart cycled through the festival, keeping dry in a full rain suit, nitrile gloves, and an umbrella.

The Chatham Rabbits on the Riverfront stage Saturday afternoon.

The Gospel Ensemble drew a large crowd, content to stand in the rain and listen.

When rain threatened, Salty Paws moved down the street into a large garage to help keep their audience dry.

At Salty Paws’ performance, there wasn’t enough room inside. A determined listener found a way to watch from outside.

Province of Thieves, with the addition of a fiddle player, on the Riverfront stage Friday.

Province of Thieves.

A festival necessity, ready and waiting.

Every year there’s a new button. With both sides full, he’ll soon need a bigger hat.

Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs played Nautical Wheelers porch.

Never too old for bluegrass.

Wyldwood String Band were newcomers to the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival.

As with most Oriental events, the four legged residents were also in attendance.

Blue Cactus’ had a western flavor to country music. When rain interrupted their set, the crowd moved their merchandise table up to the porch so they could play on.

Rain hit in the middle of Blue Cactus’ performance at the Stallings House on Saturday. While some rain for the shelter of the trees, others came prepared.

Cane Mill Road returned with a new lineup and a different sound – no more mandolin.

There was some overlap between the Pamlico High School Jazz Ensemble and the band Dust Parade. Though they played different days, they shared a musician.

Hank Barbee matches his guitar. Another local favorite – Dust Parade – also played on one of Oriental’s porches.

This may not have been the dogs idea.

Local bands also made the cut, From top clockwise: Brant Island Strings, Blind Phoenix, and Ken Belangia.

A young bluegrass lover in the making.

Harbor Sounds may be ‘the’ Ol’ Front Porch Music group. They are certainly a favorite.

A man of many talents, Chris Daniels made music, and made sure it could be heard: Chris Daniels provided sound and mixing for the main stage.

Some music makes you get up and dance in the rain.

There were a lot of striking and colorful umbrellas, but this was the only one with a screaming emu.

Hoff n’ FInch – Mark Hoff and Scott Finch – both left the stage at various points to get the crowd going.

When all the seats are gone and the grass is a little damp, alternative seating can be found.

Music, dogs, and crowds. Sometimes, it can feel like a little too much.

Moores Creek Bluegrass got a bit of a late start, but didn’t disappoint.

Just trying to keep dry.

Sunday morning:

Sunday morning had music, too. Gospel group Faith and Harmony, Nu Blu and the Pamlico Flutes performed on the Riverfront Stage.

The singers of Faith and Harmony.

Posted Monday October 18, 2021 by Allison DeWeese