An eastern Iowa town is planning an event to celebrate a popular feature of American home architecture – the porch. Mitch Bloomquist, with the Mount Vernon/Lisbon Community Development Group, is helping organize the event scheduled for Sunday, September 21.

He says attendees will visit at least 10 porches in the Ash Park District of Mount Vernon, which features many Victorian era homes. “At each stop, we’ll have a variety of things ranging from old children’s games and activities to art, music, crafts, and demonstrations. We’re also planning to have a few ‘ask the experts’ stops along the way where you can ask about porch restoration, planting on porches, painting, and things like that,” Bloomquist says.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include a couple of educational seminars. At 1 p.m., Dr. Richard Thomas, a former professor at Cornell College will talk about the history of the domestic porch, including its near disappearance in the Post World War II Era and its resurgence over the last 50 years. At 1:45 p.m., Ed Sauter, co-chair of the planning committee for the event, will discuss porch design and restoration.

Registration for the event is $10. Children 14 and under are free. Registration and more information is available online at: www.visitmvl.com