Harvest Fest Brings Music, Markets, and Community to Walnut Park

By Diana Creaser

This past Sunday, October 5th, Walnut Park transformed into a lively fall celebration as hundreds gathered for the annual Harvest Fest. With sunny skies and a full lineup of music, food, and local vendors, the event showcased the best of Syracuse’s autumn spirit.

The day-long festival was a collaborative production between University Union, the Greek Council, and the SU Student Government Association, who worked together to reimagine what this community event could be. The result: an energetic and inclusive gathering that brought together students and local businesses for a shared celebration of the season.

One of the main draws was the DJ competition, organized and hosted by the Syracuse University Greek Council. Student DJs took turns spinning high-energy sets on a professional outdoor stage, bringing festival-level sound and excitement to the heart of the city. Each DJ represented their fraternity or sorority chapter, with proceeds from the competition benefiting their national philanthropies. The mix of friendly rivalry and charity made for a performance series that kept the crowd on its feet all afternoon.

“This is our first collaboration with SGA and Greek Council, and it’s really exciting to broaden our horizons and bring different types of programming to campus that we’ve never done before,” said Kate McKenna, President of University Union. The coordination between multiple organizations, from staging and sound design to food and vendor outreach, reflected a growing emphasis on community-centered event production in Syracuse.

Just steps from the main stage, food trucks lined the park, serving seasonal favorites. Attendees wandered between tents and tables, sampling local eats and enjoying pop-up games and activities organized by University Union.

Adding to the experience, a farmers market took place right next to Harvest Fest, showcasing fresh produce and handmade goods from local businesses. Vendors included Parthenon Books, Plum and Mule Community Market, Brady Farm, Miss Daisy’s Gift Shop, Unoriginal New York, and Wildflowers. 

Walnut Park, often known for its calm, leafy scenery, became a hub of music, laughter, and community connection, making this year’s Harvest Fest a huge success.