The drive towards Greggfest is in full gear as NVU-Lyndon’s annual music festival returns on Saturday, May 1! Greggfest was created to raise money for NVU student and musician Jake Gregg, who was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia, and began as a two-day long show. Gregg passed away from the disease in 2015 and the festival continues in his memory.
The 7th annual outdoor music festival was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, the pandemic still has an impact. Greggfest will be held as a drive-in show for all Vermonters, with space for on-campus students to attend in-person, without a car.
NVU-Lyndon’s Music & Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA) is putting the event together, albeit with some challenging safety restrictions. Artists performing at Greggfest must be based in Vermont, giving MEISA a smaller talent pool to choose from. Some bands have declined invitations to perform, saying they haven’t been able to practice since the start of the pandemic, according to MEISA President Lilly Robitaille.
This year, the event will be a one-day show rather than the typical two days. Robitaille believes the logistics of holding Greggfest during a pandemic makes a longer festival unrealistic. She’s hopeful MEISA can put on a show the community will enjoy.
The stage setup will be just like the shows put on by Catamount Arts in the fall 2020 semester, with a stage set up in the ASAC parking lot near the baseball field.
Robitaille met with Dean of Students Jonathan Davis and Assistant Director of Student Life Mike Secreti earlier in the semester and found out a show in this form might be possible. She said she wanted to be sure it could happen before setting the planning into motion. MEISA officially announced Greggfest at their February 23rd general board meeting.
“I always thought it would happen in some capacity, but we didn’t know what,” said Secreti, later adding, “I’m glad we can have an in-person gathering of some sort.”
At this time, MEISA is still looking for Vermont-based artists to perform at Greggfest. Anyone with suggestions can message them on Instagram or Facebook.
Feature Photo Courtesy of MEISA || Greggfest is a music festival that lasts several days in honor of Lyndon student Jake Gregg, complete with its own kickoff party.