Downtown Sanford is preparing for a unique fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 28 to support a beloved community event that was cancelled for 2026.
The Sanford ❤ s Porchfest fundraiser will feature more than 50 musical acts
performing at 19 different businesses throughout Sanford’s historic downtown.
The event will raise money for Sanford Porchfest Corporation – the nonprofit
that produces Central Florida’s most beloved community-focused music event,
Sanford Porchfest Music Festival, which features musicians playing on the
porches of the city's historic homes.
In October 2025, the organizers of Sanford Porchfest announced they were
canceling the 2026 event. They intend to bring the event back in 2027.
“Sanford ❤ s Porchfest will be a modified version of Porchfest, but instead of
music lovers going from porch to porch in the Sanford Historic Residential
District, they can visit 19 different downtown businesses to hear music
throughout the day,” said Paul Williams, president of Sanford Main Street Inc.,
the group organizing the fundraising event.
“Porchfest is a really fun event and a great way to showcase downtown Sanford,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, it isn't happening this year, so we hope we can fill the gap a little bit until Porchfest comes
back in 2027.”
The idea for the event came from Joshua Snyder, a member of the Sanford Main Street Board of Directors. The organizers of Sanford Porchfest event gave their blessing for Snyder and the Main Street organization to move forward with the event.
Shelly Allen, one of the four Sanford Porchfest organizers, said,
“We’ve always said that Sanford Porchfest is an event by the community, for the community. This event is a perfect example of that testament. We’re humbled and honored that our community stepped up to ensure that Sanford Porchfest Music Festival can come back stronger than ever in 2027. This sort of grassroots collaboration is what makes Sanford what it is.”
Snyder, who also is the lead singer for the Sanford-based band The Smoking Jackets, said the original
plan was to have a few musicians play at four of Sanford's downtown music venues - Tuffy’s Music Box & Lounge, The Alley, Ace Café and West End Trading Co.
After Sanford Main Street put out a save-the-date post on social media, Sanford business owners began reaching out to ask how they could be involved with the event.
“It was amazing to see the overwhelming support from our business community,” said Snyder.
“That just shows how much Sanford loves Porchfest. For many of our downtown small business owners, it's their
best day of the year.”
The potential negative business impact from the cancellation of Sanford Porchfest was a key reason Sanford Main Street decided to organize the fundraiser.
“One of the four pillars of successful Main Street America communities is economic vitality. People travel
from all over the country to come to Sanford Porchfest, and it's a huge economic boost for our downtown
businesses,” said Williams, the Main Street president. “Plus, if we can raise a little money for Porchfest and have some fun, it’s a win-win-win.
”Snyder noted that all the musicians performing at the Sanford ❤ s Porchfest event are donating their time to do so.
“Without the musicians donating their time, and the business owners agreeing to donate money to Porchfest, none of this would've been possible, " said Snyder.
Each of the 19 businesses that will host musicians throughout the day have agreed to donate at least $500 to the Sanford Porchfest Foundation.
The businesses participating include:Ace Cafe, The Alley, Brewlando Brewing, Buster’s, Celery City Craft, Christo’s, Community Brewhouse, Corner Cafe, Dees Bros. Brewing, El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant, Deviant Wolfe Brewing, Loggerhead Distillery, The Sullivan Public House, Throwbacks, Tuffy’s Music Box & Lounge, West End Trading Co., The Wet Spot, Wild Wild West End Saloon and The Yardery.
The event is Saturday, Feb. 28 at 12 p.m.
For more info, contact Dan Ping, Executive Director, Sanford Main Street, 407-314-0379 or email [email protected]
