by Greg Galiffa

The official start of summer may not arrive until June 21, but the unofficial start rolls out this weekend with gusto.

Here's the StateCollege.com guide to some highlights for Friday.

Family Events

Come out to the Boalsburg Carnival, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday behind the Boalsburg fire house on East Pine Street. Families can enjoy a variety of entertainment including bingo, barbecue, carnival rides and Bingo until 10 p.m. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 each or $5 for a pack of six.

Performing Arts and Film

Video-game fans may want to check out College 9 or Premiere 12 this weekend as "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" opens today. "Sex and the City 2" will also be opening this weekend, so fans can find out what's going on in the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. General-admission tickets cost $8.75 for adults and $6.50 for children.

The Boal Barn Playhouse will be performing its last show of "Twelve Angry Men" Friday at 8 p.m. The theatre is located at 197 Boal Estate Drive, and tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for kids.

Nightlife

No cover at the Autoport on Friday night. Check out DJ Troy Breon perform at 9 p.m. and grab a $5 martini before midnight if you go.

Half-price happies will run from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday at Bar Bleu with Lowjack performing at 10:30 p.m.

Go to Indigo from 10 p.m. to midnight Friday and get $2 drinks, teas and shots. Local Motion Dj Manik Mike will be performing, and there will be $4 Coors Light pitchers all night long.