The 2026 Cole Porter Festival
You may have heard his witty lyrics and sophisticated compositions through stars such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fred Astaire; but as generations compile, the connection between Cole Porter and the song has begun to grow apart. The music has not been lost throughout time but the roots have simply been berried in the un-interest of history. The Cole Porter Festival in Porter’s hometown of Peru, Indiana, has built a career of 34 years full of passion for the continuation of building generational preservation and celebration of the life and legacy of Cole Porter.
Throughout the years the festival has looked different but the heart behind it has never changed. Each year it packed full of events for all ages to enjoy from live entertainment to amazing food, and this year was no exception. Here is what you missed from June 11th-14th if you were able to make it.
Thursday, June 11th started as a taste of community based hustle where countless volunteers worked to set up each event venue from the street block music stage and village to the preparations of individual speciality spots such as: Cole Porters home, Miami County Museum, and Story Church auditorium. The volunteers, committee, and producers are truly the back bone and the reason why, each year, this festival is possible. Through eminence heat they worked tirelessly to lay out each place for the community to come together.
High school football players volunteering to set up chairs. -Photography by Lorynn Hunt.
Though Thursday was not a full blown event day, it began to bring the community together. Working with local eateries like Club 14, Dillinger’s, and Legend’s; the festival showcased local talented musicians and singers. The bands included: Wrinkles & Kinks, Jazz Elements, and Speakeasy Boys. An acknowledgement goes to a band and venue that could not perform this year as planned, the Circus Band at the Circus Rehearsal Building Backlot.
Winkles and Kinks at Club 14 - Photography by Lorynn Hunt
Speakeasy Boys at Legends - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Member of the Speakeasy Boys - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
The Jazz Elements at Dillinger’s - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
One of the most exciting events that the festival hosted that first night was the Acoustic Open Jam at the Festival Village Broadway and 5th. Free to the whole community, it allowed amateurs and professional musicians alike to come together, ending the evening with classic fun.
Community Jam Session - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Throughout this 4 day event the Miami County Museum was open to the public featuring Cole Porter’s 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood with a special monogram, “CP”, on the rear left-hand door.
Sitting down with the Museum director, I had to ask the impact Porter and this festival has had on Peru.
“The Cole Porter Festival brings people into the museum that may have not been in it before. Having the history and the legacy of Cole Porter right here in Peru, it really showcases this idea that anyone can follow their dreams. I personally encourage anyone to follow those dreams as well. ” Stated Beverly Parker.
Cole Porter’s 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Weathering the storms, tornadoes, and rain over night, the festival continued into Friday’s first flare of blown out events.
A Legendary Lunch was held at the Miami County Museum, where restauranteur Steve Foht prepared and served a 6 course meal that brought the audience on a savory journey through the travels of Cole Porter.
“Making A Musical: Creating Kiss, Kate”, held at Story Church, allowed the musical fanatic and history loving audience to dive deep into the history of making Cole Porter’s greatest hits in musical theatre. Dr. Philip Seward performed and brought incredible wit and humor to his talk, keep audiences laughing and engaged.
Philip Seward - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Elizabeth Doyle singing alongside Philip’s presentation - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
One of the biggest desires that not only the Cole Porter Festival has but the whole community has is to showcase local and surrounding counties talent. On the Main Stage PaTrOn, Colton Adams, and Bee! The Band; each and preformed with unique sounds and incredible charisma.
PaTrOn Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Bee! The Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Abbie Thomas Plus Two Crazy Hearts performed at Story Church with some original songs and classic Cole Porter songs. With her strong range, Thomas captured the essence of what Cole Porter’s music has done for every generation.
Abbie Thomas - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
The Victorian on 3rd, Cole Porter childhood home, hosted an event called “Cocktails and Cole with A Twist”, where local singers came together to sing some of Cole Porter’s crowd favorites on the white washed porch. It was a time of leisure and elegance as people came dressed to the nines and took part of summer swing jazz drifted in the air.
The caliper of talent in un-ticketed events are out of this world let alone the ticketed events. Third Coast Swing performed on Story Church’s stage. With pristine vocal control and smooth musicianship, this performance kept audiences in awe.
Third Coast Swing Band -Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Third Coast Swing Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
To end the day of events, Shiny Shiny Black headlined on the main stage where community members and even other performing bands jumped at the chance to enjoy their performance.
Shiny Shiny Black Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Saturday had no shortage of fun and excitement. With a passion for the arts, the Cole Porter Festival held a Children’s Theatre Workshop through Ole Olsen where they learned how to brake down a musical song and learn the dance to go along with it. In doing so bringing a new generation into the love of musicals and performing.
Children’s Theatre Workshop - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
The opportunity to visit all the iconic Cole Porter Landmarks were given to guests through a “Discover Cole Bus Tour”. In a 90 minute, narrated tour guest got to step into the Old Fashioned Garden, the Cole Porter Inn, and the time family plot at Mount Hope Cemetery.
The day was once again full of unmatched talent on the main stage. Bands included: Big Swing Band, Vinyl Escape, Rhum Punch Revival, and Beware of Propellers. With music that turned the oldest in to kids, dancing became a must.
Big Swing Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Big Swing Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Big Swing Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Big Swing Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Vinyl Escape Band Lead Singer - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Vinyl Escape Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Vinyl Escape Full Band
Sheridan Bolte - (Goes wherever the Vinyl Escape Band performs. Always the first on the dance floor!) - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Rhum Punch Revival Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Rhum Punch Revival Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Rhum Punch Revival Band - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
The museum held another special event in front of the 1955 Cadillac called “Music At The Museum” with the talented Samantha DeTurk on the ukulele covering Porters music. Then later Zak Tschiniak performed with rave reviews of his top notch performance playing the piano and walking through the crowding singing Porters well known songs.
Zak Tschiniak - Standing ovation - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Paul Kaplan debuted his Cole Porter Biography, “Anything Goes: The Life and Music of Cole Porter”, giving the festival guest an exclusive first chance to get their own copy. Along side the book sign, Paul Kaplan held a Q&A with the audience to learn more about his work.
There is incredible rich history that goes along with Cole Porter and there is many rabbit holes once could find themselves in when researching. This year, Charles Troy present a history timeline paralleling Cole Porters life and what would have been happening in the world. Helping the audience get a broader picture of the possible impactful events and social context on how it could have affected Porter’s work and vise versa. With special musical guests Elizabeth Doyle, Dr. Philip Seward, and Ward & Porter Roberts; the guests enjoyed a variety of incredible history as well as entertainment.
Charles Troy - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Elizabeth Doyle - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Dr. Philip Seward - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
When visiting the Cole Porter Festival there is a great opportunity to be on the ground floor of special projects that one day could be big. This year Ward Roberts presented an exclusive test-screening of his very own documentary on Cole Porter. Titled “Experiment: The Cole Porter Project”, the never before seen documentary premiered right in Porter’s Hometown. Roberts presented his project in a “raw” yet professional form. Needles to say the only raw thing about it was the incredible emotion from the audience. Roberts artistic vision and hard work proved through the yet to do post production aspects and gave a true meaning to community as he brought his project home. The audience was expected and offered the chance to give feedback through a Q&A with Roberts, but by the standing ovation and glistening tears from the audience, it was a success.
Ward Roberts - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
Ward Roberts - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Arguably one of the biggest draws to the Cole Porter Festival is the “Cole’s Cover-Tune Contest”, where local bands come together to compete for a cash prize as they bring their own original sound to a Cole Porter song. Not only does it give the artists opportunities to perform one or two original songs, it also allows them to showcase their compositional vision. The well rounded judge panel included the special guest judge Sunny Holiday from Postmodern Jukebox. 5 different band performed in the contest this year to a large crowd on the main stage. Though all amazing, only one could win first place. The Throwback Band presented not only incredible talent and professionalism, they also created Cole Porters music into a 2000s area sound, wrapping the night with great celebration.
Throwback - Winners of cover tune contest. - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Contestant - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Contestant - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Contestant - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Contestant - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Each year the festival brings something special to the community. Yes it celebrates Cole Porter, but it does something more, it brings people together from all kinds of different states. There is something to be said about the atmosphere here.
“It always just turns into one big family reunion. There nothing like it.” states Kati Roberts and Chris Badami, the producers of Cole Porter Festival.
Chris Badami and Kati Roberts - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Next year the Cole Porter Festival will be celebrating it’s 35 year and you will not want to miss it. To find out more about the Cole Porter Festival visit coleporterfestival.org.
