What it Takes to Bring O-Fest to Life: Inside One of SUNY Oneonta’s Biggest Student Traditions
By HANNA TADESSESUNY Institute for Local NewsONEONTA
SUNY Oneonta’s annual spring festival, O-Fest, returns on Saturday, May 2, bringing carnival rides, games and live music to campus for a full day of celebration capped by an evening concert headlined by pop singer Zara Larsson.
For many students and community members, the massive spring semester event appears seamlessly executed: a bustling carnival on the quad followed by lights, sound and thousands of fans gathering inside Dewar Arena. But behind the scenes, O-Fest—formerly known as OH-Fest—is the result of months of planning, coordination, and student leadership, carried largely by the student-run Activities Council and Student Association.
Planning for O-Fest begins months before most attendees ever think about the lineup. According to organizers, preparation starts in the fall semester, when the A/C and professional staff in the Office of Student Life and Leadership begin researching potential artists for the spring concert. Factors such as cost, availability and audience interest all play a role, but student input remains central throughout the process.
“Students get to vote, which plays a huge role in narrowing down who we pursue,” said A/C Special Events Chair Abigail Vesperman.
That input comes through multiple rounds of nominations and voting, according to A/C O‑Vents Chair Isabella Iovieno, a junior elementary education major. The multi-step process gives students a direct voice in shaping one of the campus’ largest traditions.
Still, translating those wishes into reality can be complicated. Bill Harcleroad, director of campus activities and leadership, said part of the planning process involves helping students understand the financial realities of booking touring artists.
“We send out a link to a database, so people know how much artists actually cost,” he said. “Yet people still put in names of artists who do arena shows. For a school our size, we have a really good budget, but that still means we’re not going to be able to afford Rihanna or Drake, who are getting million‑dollar paychecks. Not $125,000.00, which is our general budget for a show.”
