By JONAS MILLER
Opinion Editor
On Saturday, The College of Saint Rose held its annual Rose Rock music festival on the campus quad, with a theme of “Super Heroes.” Headliner Bowling for Soup took the stage after performances from Heavy English, Mack Wilds, and Brian Jay.
Festivities kicked off at 1 p.m. with Jay, a local artist finishing up his senior year at the College. Jay drew a small crowd of loyal fans as he performed some of his hits with guest singers including Holly Ferraro, a resident assistant at the College.
“It was really great working with Brian,” Ferraro said. “He’s extremely talented and it was an honor being able to perform with him.”
Mack Wilds, a rapper at heart, surprised with a large turnout for his set, mixing his own music with several current hits.
Following his performance came Heavy English, whose set was more confusing than entertaining. Although the band of three took the stage and began singing with no introduction, and left in the same, silent way, a small fan base formed in front of the stage, and proper applause was given after each song.
Finally, after an anxious crowd formed along the fence in front of the stage, Bowling for Soup took the stage. While the hits they performed, such as “Almost” and “1985,” were definite crowd pleasers, the highlight may have been igniting a mass sing-a-long to the theme song from popular Disney channel show “Phineas and Ferb,” which the band originated.
“Every act killed it, and Bowling For Soup exceeded expectation,” said Michael Aurrichio, a sophomore and avid Bowling for Soup fan at the College.
Jaret Reddick, the lead singer of the band, arguably stole the show with his one-liner jokes and quick wit when interacting with the audience.
While the main focus of the day was music, other activities were scattered across the Saint Rose quad, including several inflatable games, and a truck serving free fried dough.
“I think the day went very well,” said Sarah Murin, one of the committee members who helped plan this year’s event. “Everyone really seemed to enjoy the superhero theme.”
T-shirts were sold to promote the theme and to create a keepsake for those who came to the event. Five different shirts were offered, four of which were short sleeved, all depicting different superheroes. Also sold were limited-edition superhero-themed Saint Rose towels, along with various apparel items from previous Saint Rose events that occurred through out the year.
The Saint Rose dining service staff served a complimentary lunch, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders. All of the food was catered through Aramark.
This year’s Rose Rock was a bittersweet one for Patrick Burke, the Student Association Director of Social Activities, as it was his second and final time organizing the event.
According to Burke, the planning for this year’s event began at the end of the Fall 2014 semester, and continued throughout the current one. Burke and his committee of 15 dedicated students met multiple times over the last few months, making sure everything was in order for the College’s special day.
This year, Burke decided to make some changes in the planning process. He implemented new leadership positions, giving committee members the opportunity to lead and plan some of the events for the day.
Burke insisted that this event was not a one-man show.
“The committee does a great job working the day and making sure everything run smoothly,” Burke said. “All of their hard work makes Rose Rock possible.”
Although this was Burke’s last year planning the event, next year’s Rose Rock certainly won’t disappoint. Alexander Wheeler will be taking over the reins heading into his senior year, and promises to go out with a bang.
“We’re hoping for the best Rose Rock ever,” said Wheeler.