Plum Island, MA – PlumFest, the beloved free island-wide celebration of live music and community spirit, marks a major milestone in 2025: its tenth anniversary. Since its founding by Cynthia Keefe and Kevin Kelley in 2015, PlumFest has grown into a signature event for Plum Island and the surrounding region, drawing thousands of music lovers to porches, decks, and driveways for an unforgettable day of performances, camaraderie, and charitable giving.

This year, PlumFest is proud to announce the appointment of Shannon Kinney as President. Kinney, a Plum Island resident and longtime supporter and volunteer, brings a deep commitment to the festival’s mission of uniting the community through live music. “It’s an honor to carry on this special tradition and step into this role as we celebrate ten years of PlumFest,” said Kinney. “Our focus remains on creating a fun day for our guests, celebrating local talent, supporting our neighbors, and ensuring that PlumFest continues to be a joyful, safe, and welcoming event for all.”

A Decade of Community and Giving

What began as a grassroots porch festival has blossomed into a hallmark of the North Shore’s summer calendar, featuring over 100 bands at more than 50 host sites across the island, all volunteering their time and talent. Many hosts and bands have supported the event since the beginning, making the event possible. Each year, PlumFest hosts pass the red buckets to raise funds for chosen beneficiaries. The primary being the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley, supporting music education and technology programs for local youth. The event is powered entirely by volunteers- hosts, musicians, and organizers-underscoring its deep community roots. In 2024, the event had record attendance and funds raised.

Expanded Leadership & Festival Features

For 2025, PlumFest organizers have expanded their core team and have many exciting new initiatives underway. Kinney shared, “I couldn’t be more excited about the community support for our event. Many talented and dedicated volunteers have stepped up to lead new roles to help us make the magic happen, it’s truly a team effort. We’ll have a new focus on the people that make this day possible, our hosts, bands, and volunteers with dedicated and experienced leadership”.  Gregg Higginbotham, a long-time host himself will lead the Host Experience, ensuring hosts are supported and celebrated. Chris Manning, also a host and band member, will lead the Band Experience, fostering strong relationships with our performers. Gene Novak is bringing his wealth of experience to lead Traffic & Safety. Lynn Smith will spearhead Sponsorship, and Kim Richards is leading Fundraising events, together building vital community partnerships. Joe Smith will oversee the launch of our new Guidebook and Program. The volunteer team is also growing, with new Volunteer Manager Stacie Abram joining seasoned coordinator Kim Hutchins to strengthen volunteer engagement and support.  More than a dozen additional volunteer organizers and PlumFest Charitable board members play key roles to make the event possible. 

This year, festival-goers can look forward to expanded PlumFest merchandise, including a limited edition 10th Anniversary Commemorative poster, new t-shirts and other merchandise with our new 2025 design by our art contest winner, Tracey Smith. We will also be introducing our first ever festival program full of information about the bands, walking maps and more.  

Our 2025 Presenting Sponsor is DeMoura| Smith LLP with offices in Wakefield and Revere. The firm specializes in Business and Commercial Litigation, Estate Planning, Employment Law, Corporate / Transactional Law, Personal Injury and Professional Liability, and Probate Administration and Litigation. Founding Partner Ken DeMoura also serves as the Board Chair of PlumFest Charitable Inc. He shared, “DeMoura|Smith is delighted to return as Presenting Sponsor for PlumFest.  Celebrating our community and encouraging and fostering music education through the Plum Fest charitable organization is an important part of our law firm’s locally-centered mission.  We are so grateful to be part of this organization.  During this special tenth anniversary year, I also want to recognize and thank all of the other sponsors and volunteers who organize and work on this beautiful event and make the day possible, as well as all of the hosts and bands for the incredible music.”

New Focus on Safety and Traffic Control

As PlumFest continues to grow, so does its commitment to safety and accessibility. For the 2025 event, organizers have consulted with experts and are rolling out enhanced traffic and pedestrian safety measures, including:

• Expanded Shuttle Service: Free shuttle buses will run continuously from off-island parking locations, including the Plum Island Airport, making it easier and safer for attendees to access the festival without adding congestion to island roads
• Additional Parking: Organizers have identified additional parking options and are working to limit vehicles coming on the island , and visitors will continue to be encouraged to not bring vehicles on the island 
• Increased Signage and Traffic Volunteers: We will be adding a Peace Patrol team of additional volunteers that will guide visitors, ensuring smooth traffic flow and safe crossings throughout the day
• Collaboration with Local Authorities: PlumFest is working closely with the Town of Newbury and City of Newburyport and first responders, and will have an expanded presence during the event to keep pedestrian and vehicle traffic safely flowing to enforce parking and safety regulations, helping preserve the island’s charm and neighborly spirit

“We’re listening to our neighbors and taking meaningful steps to address concerns about traffic and safety,” Kinney emphasized. “Our goal is to make PlumFest enjoyable and accessible for everyone, while respecting the unique environment of Plum Island.”

Looking Ahead

The tenth annual PlumFest will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025 (rain date September 14), from noon to 6:00 pm. The event remains completely free, with donations encouraged to support PlumFest and the Boys and Girls Club’s music programs. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant lineup of local bands, special performances by festival founders and youth musicians, and the signature hospitality of Plum Island’s hosts. 

There will be a Halfway to PlumFest Fundraiser on June 8 at the RipTide Cafe from 2-7pm featuring raffle items and tickets to raise money for our event, and the music of PlumFest Founders Cynthia Keefe & Kevin Kelley, Eloise Kirkpatrick and Charlie and the Hustle. 

The organization is actively recruiting hosts, bands, and volunteers with sign up forms at PlumFest.org. As always, PlumFest invites everyone to share their experiences and photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Join us for a decade of music, community, and giving-see you at PlumFest!

About PlumFest:
PlumFest is a non-profit, volunteer-run music festival and charitable foundation dedicated to bringing together musicians, residents, and visitors to celebrate the beauty and artistry of Plum Island. Since 2015, PlumFest has showcased local and youth talent, fostered community pride, and raised vital funds for youth music education and other charitable organizations.