On June 5th 2026, Flushing Meadows in New York City will be transformed into a huge music festival. For Hastings High School students, many are excitedly awaiting this event to sing along and dance to their favorite artists. While some just go for the wrapped pink trees decorating the campus, others go for the “vibe.” No matter the reason, anticipation has already begun to accelerate. Earlier this January, The Governors Ball announced its song artist line up. Headliners include: Lorde, Baby Keem, Strav Kids, Kali Uchnis, and A$ap Rocky.
The first Govball took place on June 18th, 2011 on Governors Island, but was moved to its current location in Queens the following year because it was “more spacious (and accessible, including by ferry)” as stated by The New York Times. Although transportation is still tedious from Hastings, Junior Juliet Tetrault says, “ it will be [her] third year going to Govball, and [she] would say the public transportation is perfect.” She comments on how “simple” it is to use the train systems. Regardless of the commute, students go to see the artists and enjoy the Music Festival’s overall ambiance.
A typical commute to and from Hastings on Hudson to Flushing Meadows takes around 2 hours there and back. Students like Senior Eden Goldman-Wetzler, think that “transportation going to Govball can feel quite inconvenient.” Being alone at night with the long journey of coming back home can sometimes “feel scary,” she says. Even so, Eden and her friends find The Governors Ball to be a “unique experience and opportunity that doesn’t occur close to Hastings,” so, like a lot of Hastings students, Eden finds the “long journey” to be worth it in the end.
The festival stirs much excitement for students attending, many awaiting what Govball will bring this year. Its large population of people, aside from those in Hastings that go, draws around 100,000 to 150,000 people. Although, this year, the Somers Science Fair — where science research students present their research plans for the first time — occurs the same Saturday as The Governor’s Ball, inevitably making students unable to attend pushing Saturday out of the question for many.
Moreover, Lorde is the major artist headlining this year’s performance. She has “previously performed at the festival back in 2017 as an artist who was redefining the industry at large,” according to the Queens Gazette. Tetralt explains how she “was surprised that Govball got [Lorde]” and how she is “by far [her] favorite artist on the lineup.” On the other hand, Junior Olivia Haung thinks that “KATSEYE would be interesting because [she] doesn’t listen to that type of music usually.” The diversity of music Govball has to offer strengthens the appeal to many HHS students, and students are excitedly awaiting the event.
