PorchFest makes something 'out of catastrophe'

Morgan City dentist Francis Scott Sicard wants the city’s first downtown porchfest on Saturday to be a positive, heartfelt experience enjoyed by the community.

The Lawrence Park area will be the hub for the event, which is set for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

PorchFest is an event that originated in 2007 in Ithaca, New York. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate community through music. And to make it a communal affair bands play their music on neighbors’ porches.

It’s an event that many communities are now hosting throughout the United States.

Sicard attended his first porchfest in Cleveland, Ohio. It was called the Larchmere PorchFest. He was a resident training in an oral and maxillofacial program at the time.

Sicard believed Morgan City would be an ideal porchfest host city for a number of reasons. But the main reason was to host a community-oriented event commemorating the loss of his son, Jacques O’Neal Sicard.

“I wanted to do something good for the community out of catastrophe,” Sicard said.

Jacques passed away one day shy of turning 5 months old. His birthday was March 17.

Initially, Sicard wanted to host the event closer to March 17. But due to other events already set in place it had to be scheduled for later.

Sicard also wanted to provide another venue for the city to enjoy beside the Shrimp & Petroleum Festival.

“Second, all they have is the S&P Festival here, pretty much,” Sicard said. “And it usually rains or it’s too hot. So I was trying to pick a time in spring, where hopefully, it wouldn’t rain.

“But it’s been raining like more than ever.”

The event is on a trial basis before the City of Morgan City will commit to supporting the festival as an ongoing event.

Before the porchfest starts, there will be a fun run for kids at 8 a.m. Following at 8:30 a.m., there will be a 3.17 miles Jacques O’Neal Run.

The funds raised from the two runs will go towards pediatric research.

The cost to register for the Jacques O’Neal run is $25. Participants can register on the day of the race and T-shirts cost $10.

Profits from selling food and beverages will go into an account and will be used to update the playground at Lawrence Park.

Nine bands will perform starting every hour on the hour.

The last performer, four-time Grammy nominated Cedric Watson, will close the festival by playing for two hours at the gazebo in the park.

The following band schedule is:

—10 a.m. Dennis Sicard at 307 Freret Street.

—11 a.m. Jahne Bailey at 600 Third Street.

—12 p.m. Hal Bruni at 610 Third Street.

—1 p.m. Kyle Labat at 612 Third Street.

—2 p.m. Andy Brashear at 312 Everett Street.

—3 p.m. Deric Anslum at 309 Freret Street.

—4 p.m. The Earmuffs at 606 Third Street.

—5 p.m. Diego at 300 Everett Street.

—6 p.m. Mudbone at 606 Third Street.

—7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cedric Watson at the Gazebo.

In the midst of bands playing, porchfest attendees can participate in a Zumba workout session starting at 5:45 p.m. The session is only 15 minutes and located at the gazebo.

Attendees will also be able to purchase art, handmade jewelry, and wooden and leather master pieces . There will also be a 50 feet mini-train for children to ride in the park.

Sicard serves as a member of Morgan City Main Street board of directors