SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Music and the hum of food trucks filled Walnut Park as local vendors lined the streets and students gathered with friends and family for the second annual Harvest Fest.
Sunday afternoon brought together local businesses, student performers and members of the surrounding Syracuse community during Family Weekend.
For organizers, Harvest Fest is about more than providing entertainment. It is an opportunity to connect students with the city they call home throughout the academic year.
“I think it’s the perfect event that bridges that gap between the local Syracuse community and Syracuse University,” said Lachlan Sartison, University Union President.
The Fest was hosted in collaboration with University Union, the SGA and Greek council.
Bringing local businesses to campus
Sartison said the event was first introduced last year and returned following a successful turnout. The farmers market remained one of its most popular attractions, offering visitors a chance to explore locally produced goods while enjoying live music.
Returning and newly recruited vendors from outreach local markets came together, selling an array of products ranging from food to handmade artwork at this year’s Harvest Fest.
Sartison credited the student government for playing a major role in contacting vendors, including visiting farmers markets and events in the Westcott neighborhood.
Social media promotion of the event also helped organizers connect with businesses interested in participating.
Among the vendors was Bob Faulkner, a local beekeeper who brought honey produced from his 175 hives spread across the county.
Faulkner said events like Harvest Fest give small businesses and independent artisans an opportunity to introduce their products to people who might not otherwise encounter them.
“It takes artisans and brings them into the community so that people know what options are out there and available,” Faulkner said.
For Faulkner, the event also provided an opportunity to interact with Syracuse students and their families while enjoying the fall weather.
Student talent takes center stage
Beyond the farmers market, Harvest Fest featured a student DJ competition, giving aspiring performers an opportunity to showcase their skills while supporting charitable causes. People who attended the event donated by buying a vote for the DJ of their choosing.
Proceeds from the competition would go toward a charity selected by the winning DJ, according to Sartison.
The combination of live music, local businesses and activities such as a dunk tank created an atmosphere that appealed to students and visiting families alike.
For Syracuse University student Guy Franklin, the convenience of having the festival near campus made the experience especially enjoyable.
“I’m just happy that I get to come, hang out, get some food…out in the community without you driving anywhere,” Franklin said.
Bridging the gap between campus and community
Sartison said Walnut Park was intentionally selected because its public accessibility allows both students and local residents to participate in the festivities.
With families visiting campus for the weekend, organizers hoped the festival would also demonstrate the extracurricular opportunities available to students beyond the classroom.
The event highlighted how student organizations can work alongside local businesses to create experiences that benefit both the university and its surrounding neighborhoods.
“We’re also able to, you know, have a good time, enjoy everyone’s company. And like I said, everything goes to charity at the end of the day. So it’s a great way to kind of bridge that local gap,” Sartison said.