Skollas party graduates into rock fest

By Guy D’Astolfo

YOUNGSTOWN — Skollapalooza will usher in the outdoor party season in downtown Youngstown this Saturday. The music festival, which will be at the B&O Station amphitheater (and inside B&O if it rains), is the brainchild of Jared Ruiz and Andrew Emig, who are both “skollas” at Youngstown State University.

Ruiz explained how the festival was born.

“Members of the University Scholar program used to host a huge party every year called Skollapalooza — hence the name. It was basically a house party, where all of YSU was invited,” he said. “It hasn’t been held in at least six years, so myself and a friend, Andrew Emig, in the Scholar program decided we wanted to bring it back, it being our senior year and all.”

The idea of turning it into a rock festival emerged after talking with fellow students, said Ruiz.

“We’ve both been quite pleased with our time here at YSU and wanted to kind of give back to the students and university that gave us a great last four years,” said Ruiz. “The idea to open it to the public was just the next step.”

Proceeds will go to the YSU Scholar program as seed money to hold the event again next year. Ruiz wants Skollapalooza to become an annual event.

“Our hope is that this is not a one-time thing,” he said. “The University Scholars have a lot of rich traditions, and so does Youngstown. We want Skollapalooza to become a great tradition of both.”

Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Skollapalooza booth at YSU’s Kilcawley Center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; or by emailing Ruiz at jmruiz@student.ysu.edu.

Tickets will also be available at the door for $15.

Five bands are scheduled to play at the event: Nick Funyak and the Resonance; Phoenix Rising; The Kellys; Winslow and Jahman Brahman.

Food, including pizza and sausage sandwiches, will be sold inside the B&O Station. Beer will be available outdoors, and the B&O bar will also be open.