The Java Barn opened its doors over the weekend to the scent of tacos and the sound of rain, but the unfavorable weather did not stop students from gathering. On Saturday, bands kicked off the first ever Melonfest on an outdoor stage provided by St. Lawrence alumnus Steven Yardley. While music serenaded the masses outdoors, student artwork provided by the Artists’ Guild hung from the walls inside the Java Barn and served as a reminder of the talent we have on this campus.
“I think Melonfest was a smashing success. We had a really great line-up of bands, a great turnout, and some really cool student art,” said Jack Pattison, a sophomore at St. Lawrence and member of the Java House. “Melonfest has been a dream of ours for a while now, and teaming up with the Artists’ Guild really helped bring it to fruition.”
In addition to the music and art, local vendors helped provide another layer to the festivities. “The taco truck,” echoed Pattison, when asked about his favorite part of Melonfest. The Aztec taco truck was a popular attraction over the duration of the festival. From the moment it arrived, it commanded a horde of hungry festival goers and continued to do so until its departure at 1:00 a.m.
The most important part about Melonfest, though, is that it was for the students and by the students. Out of the 12 acts that performed, six of them were student groups. The festival was able provide a platform for musicians in the St. Lawrence community, creating a more unique dynamic between the audience and performers. “My favorite part was when Bjarne [Nielsen ’19] and CJ [Militello ’21] got down on the dance floor with their instruments and jammed with the crowd,” said Conrad Sloand of The Twelve Steps, one of the student bands that performed.
The first ever Melonfest proved to be a success, bringing together students across campus to experience great music, art, and food. The only remaining question is whether or not it will become an annual event. Sloand seemed to be set on an answer. “I would love for the event to become annual. We just need better weather next year!”