The Oswego State Student Association announced the artists appearing at the alternative Bridge Street Run concert this spring, an event aimed to start a new tradition.
The first annual Ozfest, announced by SA President Tucker Sholtes, will include a concert by Big Sean, B.o.B, Timeflies and Mac Miller, who will perform on May 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center Arena. The event is organized in conjunction with campus officials and the Student Activity Programming Board. The plans for the spring concert have been in the works since last semester to give students an alternative to participating in Bridge Street Run.
“With everything that happened last year on BSR, we really want to give students a different activity to do than just going out to the bar,” said Kiana Racha, the director of SAPB.
The Oswego State administration, including Vice President of Student Affairs Jerald Woolfolk, reached out to SA and SAPB in doing an event unlike years past. The process in deciding what artist would play started early last semester.
Tickets go on sale at the box office on March 8 at noon, starting at $45 for students who have paid the $97 SA fee in their tuition. After spring break on March 23, student tickets go up to $60. At this time, students are able to purchase two additional tickets at the price of $60 each. On March 30, tickets open to the general public at the price of $85. Students who decide to buy a ticket the day of the concert will have to pay $85. According to Sholtes, everyone involved in SA will receive a ticket free of charge along with the e-board of SAPB.
Traditionally, the price of the spring concert is $10, but because of the larger scale this year and the added expense, the price had to increase to break even with the cost. SAPB combined their budget for the fall concert and the spring concert to fund this event. SA also contributed $150,000. This price was decided in order to raise money from this year’s ticket sales to be put into next year’s allowing next year’s concert to be “as big, if not bigger,” said Sholtes. The total cost of the concert is about $300,000.
According to Justin Costello, the SAPB concert coordinator, the price could have been lower but it would have not continued to be the same standard for next year and they want to make this a long-lasting Oswego State tradition.
“I think if students really put thought into it they will [pay the $45 for a ticket],” Sholtes said. “The average ticket price for all four of these artist together would be upwards of $180, which is on the low end. It ranges to $220. Tickets that get you as close to the stage as students will be able to get, you might be looking at spending about $400.”
According to Racha, the next step is promoting the event. During the concert, there are 2,000 floor seats available in the arena and 1,500 stadium seats available as well as food available for students to buy.
Before the concert, there are events planned from about noon that day up until the concert. SA and SAPB plan to incorporate May Day and Case-a-Palooza into a main carnival theme event throughout campus. According to Sholtes, the committee is discussing different ideas on what the day will include. Students should look forward to the announcements to come about the details and events of that day. They have discussed the possibility of having slip and slides, bounce houses, zip-lines and other activities. There will be also be barbeque and carnival food sponsored by Auxiliary Services.
“I look at this wonderful opportunity for students to let loose, have some fun on the last day of classes before they go in and prepare for finals week,” Sholtes said. “Hopefully in 10 years, Ozfest will grow and get bigger and better.”
In terms of security, University Police will be at full staff that day and outside security will be hired for the event. When entering the concert students should expect a light pat down and a bag check. Students will not be allowed be allowed to bring beverages inside the concert or be allowed to attend if they are considered to be uncontrollable.
According to Costello, specific details are being worked out in terms of what might happen going forward.
“So far, the most exciting thing is seeing it become a reality and it has been talked about and debated, planned for so long,” Costello said. “We have looked forward to this and I can’t wait to stand there as it is happening and know we succeed in what we were trying to do.”
