Genny Fest™ Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy

Genny Fest is a free music-and-food festival hosted by WGSU college radio on the SUNY Geneseo campus.

What’s better together than great live music and food? Genny Fest™ Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy — a free music-and-food festival hosted on campus — is named for WGSU’s mascot, Genny (a lovable squirrel — herself named after the affectionate nickname for Geneseo). Featuring live music and food trucks, Genny Fest™ benefits WGSU (and future Genny Fests).

Check back for more details about the fourth Genny Fest™ Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy!

Genny Fest™ ’18

The first Genny Fest™ (April 27, 2018) — celebrating WGSU’s 55th anniversary — featured music by Jackknife Stiletto and Allison Leah ’18. A crowd, estimated at more than 500, packed the walkway leading from Jones Hall to MacVittie College Union Plaza. Attendees enjoyed a beautiful spring day, great music and a variety of food offerings from seven food trucks. Music performances were broadcast live on WGSU. Event partners included Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS), SUNY Geneseo University Police, Geneseo a cappella groups and Foodlink.

Hear the Genny Fest ’18 On-Air Promo (on SoundCloud)

Genny Fest™ ’19

The second Genny Fest™ (May 3, 2019) featured music by Madyx and Allison Leah ’18!

Hear the Genny Fest ’19 On-Air Promo (on SoundCloud)
More info: WGSU Unveils Genny Fest ’19 Music Lineup

Genny Fest™ ’22

After a two-year hiatus (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the third Genny Fest™ (May 6, 2022) featured music by FXRRVST and Allison Leah ’18!

Hear the Genny Fest ’22 On-Air Promo (on SoundCloud)
More info: WGSU Unveils Genny Fest ’22 Music Lineup

Genny Fest™: A Brief Oral History

WGSU’s first Genny Fest™ (April 27, 2018) has roots going back to another station-sponsored live outdoor music festival, “Party In the Valley” (May 3, 2015); and, even further, to a WGSU co-sponsored “Rock Video Dance Party” (April 18, 1984). When Genny Fest™ ’20 was forced to be canceled on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, WGSU presented, as a substitute, an on-air and online “virtual” festival, called “Gen-E-Fest.” As part of the two-hour broadcast (May 15, 2020), WGSU Faculty Director Mike Saffran shared with Marketing Director Ben Michalak and listeners the original inspiration behind Genny Fest™. Listen to it here: Genny Fest History

Genny, a person in a squirrel costume with fluffy pink hair and a white WGSU jersey, at Genny Fest 2018, posing cheerfully. — Welcome to Genny Fest!

Genny walking towards the food trucks at Genny Fest 2018. — Ahh … where to begin…?

Genny giving out high fives to students by a food truck. — Greeting some fans with a “high five”!

Genny in the crowded food truck area, wondering which truck to visit. — Decisions, decisions!

Happy Genny Fest 2018 attendees carrying food. — Everyone’s all smiles!

Jackknife Stiletto performing onstage at Genny Fest 2018. Three artists, two performing with guitars and one playing drums. — Checkin’ out the music!

A closer shot of Jackknife Stiletto. The photo shows two artists performing with guitars, with one of them also singing. — Jackknife Stiletto

A photo of one of Jackknife Stiletto's members, singing and playing the drums. — Jackknife Stiletto (more)

A student, Allison Leah, singing and playing guitar. Behind her, a sign reads hashtag One Knight. — Allison Leah

Students sitting on the ledge of the gazebo on the SUNY Geneseo campus. — Best seat in the house?

Genny walking around the food trucks again. — Getting hungry again!

Genny ordering a second plate at a food truck. — Back for seconds!

The crowded food truck area, where a lot of students are walking around and ordering food. — Checking out the Food Trucks

To inquire about the Genny Fest™ Music Festival & Food-Truck Frenzy or Genny’s availability for other appearances (or for any questions related to her or the festival), contact Genny@geneseo.edu.