CollegeFest Draws Massive Crowd

In case you missed it, CollegeFest 2012 rolled into town Saturday and Sunday, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

For those who don’t know what CollegeFest is, it’s an exposition for vendors and performers to reach out to local college students in the Boston area. Often, vendors will give out free merchandise or coupons, attracting customers and stirring up business. Students are free to walk around and explore businesses and see performers on the rise.

“Overall, it’s a great event to meet up with friends and try new things," said Bryan Siu, Suffolk University freshman. "I cannot believe the large turnout here. It’s pretty cool.”

With two stages this year, even more performers were able to showcase their talents. Suffolk’s own a cappella group, the Ramifications, performed in front of a large crowd. The Ramifications played three songs, two included were “Never There” by Cake, and “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield.

Ashley Wright, a member of the Ramifications, shared her thoughts. “It’s cool being able to perform here. When they told us about the gig, it was exciting.”

Vendors also enjoyed the publicity, as many products pertain to college students. With over a hundred vendors, it’s likely there is something for everyone.

“It’s good to be able to reach out to our target audience and to those new to Boston. We’re here to let people know that New Balance is a Boston brand,” said Sarah Policare, manager of the Boylston Store at Copley Place.

Other vendors are just starting to gain publicity, so CollegeFest is a great chance for them to be able to further expand their brand.

Brittany Wood, a representative for Karmaloop, said, “It’s really great to be able to promote our brand here. A lot of students do not know about our products, so it’s great to be here.”

The highlight for Saturday night was rapper Wale performing in front of a full audience. Students flocked to see his set, which started just after six o’clock. The enthusiastic crowd stayed until the end, providing Wale with loud cheers throughout.

If you missed CollegeFest this year, I would highly recommend that you attend next year. It’s overwhelming at first, but it's a great event to meet up with friends and enjoy a good time. There’s also a lot of exposure to things that you may not have thought of trying. Simply, it is an event that you need to experience if you are in the Boston area.

Click here for a gallery of pictures from CollegeFest 2012.