by Elise Goitia '18

Even with clouds rolling in and the venue moved from the Old Main lawn to the T. Fleming Fieldhouse, Lincoln Fest rocked on with Knox College musicians and artists, and headliner San Fermin.

Lincoln Fest, one of Knox's newer traditions, was originally implemented by Angie Ostaszewski '12 and Union Board in 2010 to bring more student-made music to the Knox campus. This year, the music festival hosted an array of genres, from rap to folk acoustic, with the performers ranging from first-years all the way up to alumni.

Lincoln Fest  is a fantastic representation of the diverse musical talents at Knox, students said.

"Here at Knox, you have incredibly multi-disciplinary people," said Morgan Jellison '16, who performed in the bands Dreams of Burbank and New Regulars. "[For example, there are] biologists who have beautiful voices and sing in choir, or may write music. This is a good way to open the doors for those students who don't have the opportunity to perform."

Alumna Missy Preston '15 has been playing at Lincoln Fest for the past five years. As the lead singer of the band God Awful Small Affairs, she said that the engagement of the students is what is truly definitive of what Lincoln Fest brings to Knox.

"You're here on this historic campus, you're listening to local music thrive, and it just combines all of that together to make you feel like you're a part of something so special," she said.

At the festival, Preston and AmeriCorps VISTA Mark Muniz '15, who created the Knox Election Engagement Enterprise, hosted their first "Voter Palooza" with the intent to get Knox students excited about voting and educated about local and national elections.

"We had a raffle of several local establishments, which included a gift basket from the Beanhive and gift certificates to GloBar, and free cookies from Q's Cafe," Preston added. "All of these local wonderful people are supporting young voters."

After students performed, headliner American baroque pop band San Fermin stepped onto stage, playing original songs such as "Sonsick" and "Jackrabbit," and continuing with an encore.

"I've never seen any band in the Fieldhouse get everyone moving like that," said Mackenzie Evans '16. "There was a dance circle, there were people tapping on the rails and bobbing their heads. Everyone was into Lincoln Fest."

Lincoln Fest is known for bringing the campus together to celebrate music. Next year, students hope that Lincoln Fest will get a day outside in the sun.

"Coming to Knox, you have a support system, and if you're already here, it's just good to be within that culture of the school," said Eric Crawford '16, a major in studio art, a business minor, and a rapper who performed under the name Craw the Sage.

"Lincoln Fest encompasses the whole Knox spirit of freedom to flourish in music," he added.