BENICIA -- The folks at Benicia Magazine built it, and indeed, the people came, saw and danced in the streets.
Following the success of 2024 Porchfest Benicia this year's event on Sept. 13 features expanded VIP ticket packages and Sip Stops - two essential ways the public can support the free community festival while also enjoying premium perks.
"Porchfest Benicia is free to attend, but it isn't free to produce," Mary Hand, publisher of Benicia Magazine and creative force behind the festival, said in a press release.
"Our VIP tickets and Sip Stops are how we keep the music playing. Every glass poured and every ticket purchased directly supports the artists and makes this magical day possible. Plus, it's fun! Who doesn't love a refreshing sip between songs?"
VIP tickets include access to exclusive performances, reserved seating at select venues and special opportunities to meet headline artists, including Sly & the Family Stone tribute at Lucca Beer Garden.
For those who prefer to roam, Porchfest's Sip Stops will once again dot downtown Benicia, offering craft beer and wine tastings in partnership with local businesses and community sponsors.
Last year, Porchfest attracted more than 10,000 visitors, packing the waterfront streets of historic downtown Benicia.
Organizers emphasize that VIP ticket sales and Sip Stop revenues are critical to paying artists fairly, expanding kid-friendly programming and sustaining Porchfest as an annual tradition.
VIP tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/porchfest-benicia-2025-vip-tickets-tickets-1439949861799.
"This is the model of a true community festival," Benicia Mayor Steve Young said in the press release.
"Porchfest is free and open to all, but its sustainability depends on people stepping up and supporting it through VIP tickets and Sip Stops. It's how we make sure the music and joy continue, not just this year, but for years to come."
In addition to exclusive seating and access, VIP ticket holders will enjoy three glasses of beer or wine plus a tequila tasting at First Street Green VIP area, light bites and special programming leading into the day's headliner sets.
"Every dollar from VIPs and Sip Stops goes straight back into the music," Hand said. "It's how we can afford top-tier artists while also keeping Porchfest open and inclusive for everyone."
Porchfest is an annual celebration that began in Ithaca, New York, in 2007, and has spread across the United States and Canada. It brings together local musicians and community members to showcase talents on front porches, storefronts and driveways, promoting a sense of community pride and inclusion.