IMAGES from Facebook / By Marlena Ballinger

For the third year in a row, Bluffton residents plan to join a movement known as Play Music on the Porch Day (a.k.a. PorchFest) which will take place on August 29. This worldwide movement encourages people to spend the day outdoors playing or listening to music.

The Bluffton lineup includes 29 bands playing throughout the village. The Icon will feature these bands in a series of stories published between now and the event. For a complete lineup and a map of where the bands will be playing, visit the event Facebook page.

Here's a preview of the Blanchard Creek Band, musician Conner Raines, and singer-songwriter AJ Knepper.

Blanchard Creek Band
This band plays music from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s, featuring country, classic rock and blues music. Playing at various local venues, the members have been cumulatively playing for over 40 years in multiple bands. Members include Bluffton residents Tim Zachrich on rhythm guitar and vocals and Todd Rader on bass guitar and vocals. Kevin Murphy on lead guitar and vocals and Mark Miller on drums and vocals are from Lima.

Conner Raines
Hailing from Lima, Raines plays cover songs that are mostly from the country genre. According to a story from The Lima News, Conner has been playing guitar for over 14 years, including time playing in the Minor Blues Youth Band. He took second place in the “Ohio Has Talent!” competition in 2019. He has played throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. His Facebook page describes him as someone who brings his own touch to some already amazing country music and rock tunes.

AJ Knepper
Coming from the Bowling Green area, rising Nashville star AJ Knepper recently released the song “Red, White and You.” His second PorchFest appearance numbers among venues throughout Ohio and Nashville. His first PorchFest performance at Brad and Kelly Fruchey’s prompted them to say, “We have no doubt that AJ is headed to the big leagues very soon.”