Festival celebrating famed musician Cole Porter returns after a year off

PERU, Ind. (WISH) — A festival celebrating the life of music legend and Peru, Indiana, native Cole Porter is making a comeback after missing a year due to COVID-19.

Annually, organizers put on the Cole Porter Festival to bring appreciation to Porter’s life through music and art. There’s live music, food, theater, historic tours and presentations, a car show and more.

Polly Dobbs, Porter’s cousin and long-time supporter of the festival, talked to All Indiana’s Randall Newsome about what it means to bring the celebration back after the year off.

“I think people are excited to be together and people are always excited about Cole Porter when they come to Peru around his birthday to celebrate the music,” Dobbs said.

The Miami County Museum will feature tours on Porter’s life and accomplishments and the Miami County Artisan Gallery will transform into a space for a new ‘Roaring 20’s Party’ where there will be a show and live DJ to make visitors a part of the Friday night entertainment.

“None of us have dressed up in so long,” Dobbs said. “It’s very nice to have an excuse to dress up, so costumes are encouraged.”

The gallery will also host a Cole Porter-themed art competition and a luncheon.

“It’s his image. It’s his music. All fine arts are being celebrated this weekend during the festival.”

Click here to get tickets and learn more about this year’s Cole Porter Festival. It’s all happening Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13.