Federal Frenzy

Federal Frenzy Music & Arts Festival 2026

presented by YSU Penguin Productions

Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 2:00PM - 11:00PM | Downtown Youngstown

YSU Penguin Productions is excited to host the 12th annual FEDERAL FRENZY Music and Arts Festival in Downtown Youngstown! FEDERAL FRENZY will take place Saturday, April 18, 2026, on West Federal St and Phelps St, from 2-11pm. Over 20 musical performances, local vendors, food trucks, live artistry, and engaging activities will fill the streets of the city! The event is free and open to the public. With recent attendance exceeding 5,000 people, FEDERAL FRENZY has become a fundamental part of Youngstown’s community calendar and an amazing opportunity to connect with the people in our region.

Music Lineup

Penguin Productions is proud to welcome this year’s headliner, Armani White, is a Philadelphia-based rapper, popularly known for his hit song “BILLE EILISH.” He performed the song alongside Bille Eilish in 2023; the song has charted No.58 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Armani White will close out FEDERAL FRENZY on the festival main stage.

To learn more about any of these wonderful artists, click out the 2026 Band Bios page!

YSU PenPro Main Stage

Approx. 219 W Federal St, Youngstown, OH 44503

2:30-3:00pm | Doomsday Darling

3:30-4:00pm | Largemouth Brass Band

4:30-5:00pm | TJDUB

5:30-6:00pm | Singled Out

6:30-7:00pm | S.Y.S.

7:30-8:00pm | Frida and The Mann

8:45-9:30pm | Marcus Smith & The Rapscallions

10:00-10:45pm | Armani White

The Summit fm Stage

Approx. 34 W Federal St, Youngstown, OH 44503

3:00-3:30pm | 48th Drive

4:00-4:30pm | Cassette Confidential

5:00-5:30pm | Mo Turk

6:00-6:30pm | Fruitfly

7:00-7:30pm | The Sweet Spot

8:00-8:45pm | Kid Mammoth

Twisted roots Stage

34 N Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503

3:00-4:00pm | Krypto. Divine

5:00-6:00pm | Empty Kodiak

7:00-8:00pm | Joey Aich

The Varsity Club Stage

131 W Commerce St, Youngstown, OH 44503

2:30-3:30pm | Humbles County

4:30-5:30pm | Brake Fluid

6:30-7:15pm | PARiS STEPHAN

V2 Stage

100 W Federal St, Youngstown, OH 44503

2:45-3:45pm | Three of Clubs

4:15-5:15pm | Lydia Shae

5:45-6:45pm | Janelle Li’El

EVENT MAP

PARKING & SHUTTLE

Attendees are encouraged to park in the Wick Avenue Parking Deck on campus. Parking is free with a YSU parking pass, or $5 cash for all others. Shuttle services will run on a continuous loop from the McDonough Museum of Art on Wick Ave to the event site on Saturday, April 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Activities 2:00-8:00PM

YSU Student Organizations

Black History Trivia YSU Black Student Union

Brain Games & Bracelet Making Youngstown Association of Student School Psychology (YASSP)

Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet Bar Zeta Tau Alpha

Community Drum Circle Youngstown Percussion Collective x Hootenanny Vintage Guitars

Cup Pong Games L.E.A.D. (Leaders of Equality, Accessibility and Diversity)

Decorate Your Own Flag YSUnity

Fencing Duels YSU Fencing Club

Grilled Cheese with SAEs Sigma Alpha Epsilon x The Alternative Food Truck

Group Poetry YSU Poetry Club

Painting with RHA YSU Residential Housing Association (RHA)

Screen Printing in Action YSU Student Art Association x Draught House

Sparkle Station: Glitter Tattoos YSU Student Government Association

Wrongful Convictions: Myth or Fact? Ohio Innocence Project Chapter of YSU

YSU Offices + Departments

Art in the Mills Community Mural Youngstown Steel Museum (Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor)

Button Making Station YSU Office of Admissions

Customize Federal Frenzy Totes YSU Department of Art x Draught House

DIY Craft Corner YSU First Year Student Services

PenPro Merch Market + Info Tent YSU Penguin Productions

Polaroid Photobooth YSU Division of Experiential Learning & Engagement

Varsity Vibes: Temporary Pete Tattoos with Student-Athletes YSU Athletics x The Varsity Club

Community Organizations

Free Tours OH WOW! Science Center 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Limited Edition Sticker Vending Machine Economic Action Group

Nonpartisan Voter Info + Registration Hub League of Women Voters x Avalon Downtown

Pop-Up Skatepark Youngstown Skatepark Association

The Summit FM Merch Market + Info Tent The Summit FM

Two Crews. Eight Brews. Frenzy Friends Tap Takeover x Birdfish Brewing Co. + Noble Creature Wild Ales and Lagers x Draught House

Youngstown Flea X Frenzy Vendor Market 2:00-8:00PM

The Youngstown Flea will power the local vendor marketplace on North Hazel Street. Shop from a curated selection of 30+ local vendors and discover unique goods at this market for makers!

Food Trucks 2:00-11:00PM

The Pierogi Lady

Loukouma Greek Donuts

Wok on the Wild Side

BEER & ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES 2:00-11:00 PM

The City of Youngstown’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will be in effect for the full length of Saturday’s festivities. A DORA is a specific area where people 21 years of age or older can purchase alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and carry them around outdoors, within DORA boundaries or inside businesses that allow them, during specific times. DORA drinks are never permitted outside of DORA boundaries. The goal of Youngstown’s DORA is to encourage people to support our amazing businesses, while being free to explore downtown. All alcohol sales for the event will run through participating DORA businesses. For more details, visit the DORA website https://youngstownohio.gov/dora

Two Crews. Eight Brews. Frenzy Friends Tap Takeover at The Draught House

Kick off Federal Frenzy with two local craft breweries taking over the taps at The Draught House!

Starting at 2:00 p.m., Birdfish Brewing Company and Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers are rolling into The Draught House with 8 beers total. Expect a stacked lineup of fresh pours, brewery reps on site, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile. They’ll be hanging out, talking beer, and handing out some swag (stickers, sunglasses, keychains, and maybe even some shirts!) to anyone drinking along.

Noble Creature Lineup:

“Conduit” Munich Dunkel 5.5%. Malt forward, with flavors and aromas of toffee, cocoa powder and toasted walnuts. A mildly sweet finish rounds out our dark German inspired lager.
“11” English Pale Ale 4.5%. New collab with Craft Collective in Shaker Heights, OH. Brewed with Marris Otter and house English Ale yeast and hopped with Challenger & Bramling Cross.
“Basement Darts” ESB 5.5%. A well balanced pub ale with a touch of nuttiness, floral & spicy hop character, and a bready malt sweetness
“Jelly” Imperial Fruited Sour with Vanilla 7%. A pleasantly sweet & sour ale loaded with a silky amount of strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry plus fresh vanilla bean.

Birdfish Lineup:

“Wandering Kind” West Coast IPA brewed with Comet and Strata hops 6.5%
“Hi-Quad Drifter” Black Currant Belgian Quadrupel aged 19 Months in a Red Wine Barrel 10.4%
“Clumsy Banana” Classic German Style Hefeweizen 5.4% - “Too Hip To Sip” Hazy IPA 7.5%

LISTENER’S CHOICE AWARD

The Summit FM, a locally owned and operated, member-supported public radio station, will sponsor the Federal Frenzy Listener’s Choice Award for eligible performers. The winning act will be offered the opportunity to perform and record a three-song set in The Summit’s Studio C during the 2026-2027 academic year on a mutually agreeable date. Federal Frenzy event attendees will be able to vote on their phone between 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on the day of the event. To vote on the day of the event, scan the QR code on the event schedule, or visit @ysupenpro on Instagram and click the link in the bio.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YSU STUDENTS

Would you like to get involved? Sign up to be a volunteer at FEDERAL FRENZY! https://givepul.se/mpq1a5

All day-of-event volunteers will receive a t-shirt with the Federal Frenzy artwork! If you have any questions, please contact Penguin Productions Volunteer Coordinator, Gerald Chirombo at ggchirombo@student.ysu.edu

SPONSORS: BECOME A FRIEND OF THE FRENZY!

YSU Penguin Productions relies on the generous support of our sponsors to bring the events our community loves to life. Sponsor contributions not only cover production expenses and artist fees but also play a crucial role in funding facilities and operational costs. This support ensures that each event is executed seamlessly and safely.

In return for their invaluable support, our sponsors enjoy unique opportunities for brand exposure and community engagement. From on-site signage and logo placement to digital mentions and social media shout-outs, we ensure our partners reach a wide and appreciative audience. By aligning with YSU Penguin Productions, sponsors demonstrate a commitment to enriching the local culture and fostering memorable experiences for students and community members alike. Together, we make each event more than just a gathering—it’s a celebration of community and collaboration.

We invite your organization to join us in our mission! Visit the link below to view the various partnership packages that you might consider. Penguin Productions is proud to have established events that continue to make such an impact in Youngstown; we hope that you will consider partnering with us in this endeavor.

Become a Sponsor