We are located in the former convent and school that was part of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. We are proud to be managing the historic building and keeping it open for those who want to visit and reminisce about their time here. We are a part of a resurgence of Barre Street–along with businesses, residents, and other organizations that make up our neighborhood, we work to make this a lively, art-filled, and lovely place to visit, live, and work. Thanks to our neighborhood sponsor, Downstreet Housing & Community Development.
Barre Street Porch Fest 2026
Sponsored by: Downstreet
THANKS TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS!
and Guy’s Farm & Yard
with additional support from: Morningstar Properties, Capitol Spa, Green House Pottery, Shaw’s Supermarkets, and Montpelier Alive
Sunday, September 20, 2026 12-2 PM (updated with raid schedule)
Barre Street Arts Hosts Kick-off for the Porch Fest on September 20th
Montpelier’s Porch Fest, taking place on Sunday, September 20th, will kick off with a festive party at the compound at 79 – 89 Barre Street. The kick-off party is organized by the Barre Street Arts Revival (BAR), the neighborhood group that produced last year’s Barre Street Porch Mosey. The party includes programming from 12 noon to 2 PM, while the city-wide Porch Fest runs until 5 PM.
The Montpelier Porch Fest is organized by Monteverdi Music School and encourages neighbors to make music on their porches in a collective community celebration. Last year, BAR produced an event they dubbed the “Barre Street Porch Mosey,” which in essence was a porch fest that included visual arts and puppetry, in addition to music. This year, the group is partnering with the city-wide Porch Fest to produce this kick off event. The event is sponsored by Downstreet Housing and Community Development and Guy’s Farm and Yard, with additional support from Morningstar Properties, Capitol Spa, Green House Pottery, Shaw’s Supermarket, and Montpelier Alive.
“Instead of making folks walk the entire street, we wanted to concentrate the kickoff to one location, to make it feel like a block party,” said Jan Lloyd, of Rocket Leathercraft, one of the organizers. “What’s cool is that we can also celebrate the launch of our neighbor, the Montpelier Community Market at the same time.”
The Montpelier Food Pantry, now operating as the Montpelier Community Market, is located at 79 Barre Street, where Woodbelly Pizza used to be located. The organization will offer a hot dog lunch by donation and welcome the community into their new spot.
NOTE: This schedule runs 12 PM – 2 PM. Other Porch Fest activities may occur on Barre Street, please check the Porch Fest site for other happenings throughout town.
12 PM: Welcome and Introductions at the Montpelier Community Market
- Rick DeAngelis, Montpelier Community Market
- Jan Lloyd, Rocket Leathercraft
- Hot Dog lunch commences (by donation)
12:15 PM: Music and dancing in the parking lot at the compound with Brass Balagan
1:00 PM: Showcase performance at Cafe Noa with Brass Balagan
Montpelier Community Market is located at 89 Barre Street. Cafe Noa is located at 8 Putnam Street, just off of Barre Street.
For more information about the kickoff event: barrestreetartsrevival@gmail.com
Barre Street Arts Revival (BAR) will continue their efforts beyond Porch Fest by instigating other new ideas and activities to focus on, such as community potlucks, a mural project, and creating more spaces for art and artists. Be in touch and learn more at cal-vt.org/neighborhood.
Don’t miss out on the fun! Barre Street residents are encouraged to decorate their porches to “fancy up” the block! This year Guy’s Farm and Yard will donate pumpkins for porch decorating for Barre Street Residents only. Info and availability will be announced on this page. Pumpkins available for pick-up by 9/15.
Volunteers needed! Please let us know if you’d be interested in helping organize. Please contact: barrestreetartsrevival@gmail.com
The Barre Street Arts Revival (BAR) is an initiative to cultivate community belonging in our neighborhood, support local businesses, and organizations, and spread the arts. We are a group of workers, entrepreneurs, organizers and artists. Sign up to stay in touch with events and activities.
Contact email: barrestreetartsrevival@gmail.com
The Barre Street Porchfest is fiscally sponsored by the Montpelier Food Pantry. Please make checks out to: Just Basics and add the memo: Porchfest
We are creating a vibrant arts community on Barre Street, and we need you!
The Barre Street Arts Revival (BAR) is an initiative passionate about cultivating community resilience in our neighborhood, spreading the arts, and creating beauty. We are a group of workers, entrepreneurs, organizers and artists.
We aim to uplift and enliven those who live and access services here to improve the quality of life, to amplify the creativity, artistry and needs of our neighbors while also increasing traffic to our fledgling /floundering businesses.
For more information and to join our effort, please contact: barrestreetartsrevival@gmail.com
We are an ad hoc group and members are welcome to join us to their interest and ability.
Current members include:
- Rick DeAngelis, Just Basics
- Glen Coburn Hutcheson, The Front, the Clothespin Factory artist
- Jan Lloyd, Rocket Leathercraft and Sharpening
- Phayvanh Luekhamhan, Center for Arts and Learning
- Elizabeth Malone, resident
- Ben Matchstick, Cardboard Teck Instantute
- Rachel Muse, Good Samaritan Haven
- Frank Saliani, Green House Pottery
- Kate Tank-Day, Guy’s Farm and Yard
- Kes Marcel, Woodbelly Pizza (emeritus)
Last modified: September 19, 2026
