This family-friendly, rain or shine event will be held at VTSU Lyndon’s Stonehenge parking lot on May 3 and 4. With long-range bucolic views as backdrop, Friday’s lineup features Lyndon alumni headliners and rising New England favorites Co-Pilot, a group Wave Magazine described as, “a fun band with tight harmonies that expertly combines rock & pop.” National touring indie rockers Ferdinand the Bull will also be featured along with Chicago’s electronica/shoegaze duo Silver Liz, and old soul VTSU student singer-songwriter Chris Finn opening the festivities.
The Saturday program begins with performances by current VTSU students honoring Jake Gregg and his band Suncooked. Next up, VTSU student bands Duck! (indie-folk-punk trio) and Bitter Sweet (good time rock & roll) will take the stage. Dynamic Boston soul-rock singer Kelsey Blackstone and vintage pop for the modern day student band Technical Difficulties will also be featured. Dream-pop headliners Coral Moons are sure to dazzle as they close out this year’s event under the stars.
Gates open at 5:30 pm on Friday, May 3, and 3:30 pm on Saturday, May 4. Vendors, food trucks, free ice cream on Friday (while supplies last) and a cash beer garden round out this year’s event. Tickets are $8 for one day, or $10 for a weekend pass through the Catamount Arts Regional Box office.
Gregg Fest was born out of Lyndon’s Music Business & Industry students’ desire to support and help their friend and classmate battle back from a stroke and acute myeloid leukemia. After a hard fight, and Jacob’s peaceful passing, the event transformed into an annual celebration in his honor, a way to carry his musical spirit forward and bring people together.
Jake’s parents, Scott and Ann, touched on the importance of VTSU’s Gregg Fest Tradition stating, “we appreciate all that the faculty and students at VTSU have done to honor our son, Jake. It has been a difficult road since Jake’s passing. Attending the festival each year has brought us so much comfort and allows us to celebrate his life at a place that was very dear to him.”
Lyndon alum and Co-Pilot co-lead singer Ry McDonald said of this year’s event, “I’m so thankful that Gregg Fest has made it to its 10th year. There’s a community and family that I wouldn’t have if people didn’t carry the torch and keep this festival going. For all the memories I have of singing and dancing in the hills of the Northeast Kingdom, thank you to the students and thank you Jake Gregg. Here’s to many more!”
Proceeds from the festival go to the Jacob Gregg Scholarship Fund and are passed on to students of financial need in VTSU’s Music Business & Industry Program for tuition. Gregg Fest has become a gathering for current and past students, Jake’s friends, fans, family, and music lovers of the area young and old, showcasing the lasting impact one person can have in building community.
Asked for comment on this year’s event, VTSU’s Music Business and Industry professor Joe Gittleman said, “well, I’m looking forward to it for sure. I think it’ll be especially fun at the end of a tough year. There’ve been a lot of changes at Lyndon. But we’re still here. VTSU students are still cranking up Jake’s music and striving to grow the music scene on campus and beyond. And Gregg Fest is still Gregg Fest.”
