Update 11:05 p.m. April 17: The America250PA concert with Cole Swindell is sold out, according to the Bryce Jordan Center.
Original story
Registration will open on Friday for free tickets to the May 23 concert headlined by country artist Cole Swindell at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center as part of Pennsylvania’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary
Tickets will be available starting at noon on Friday, April 17, at concerts.america250pa.org for the Commonwealth Concert Series, a five-city celebration featuring different performers at each location. While each of the concerts will be free to attend, tickets are “strictly required for entry,” according to America250PA, the official commission for Pennsylvania’s celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial and organizer of the series.
A limit of four tickets per registration, which will be open to Pennsylvania residents only until May 1.
Marking the first concert in the series, Swindell will be joined by special guests including chart-topping country singer Gabby Barrett and the West Point Band, the Army’s oldest band and the oldest continuously-operating unit at the U.S. Military Academy.
The full Commonwealth Concert Series lineup:
• State College (June 23, Bryce Jordan Center): Cole Swindell with special guests Gabby Barrett and the West Point Band
• Erie (June 6, Erie Insurance Arena): The Fray with special guest First to Eleven
• Hershey (June 13, Hersheypark Stadium): The Avett Brothers
• Wilkes-Barre (June 20, Kirby Park): Lady A and En Vogue, with a special appearance by Carson Kressley
• Pittsburgh (June 27, Point State Park): Nelly, Third Eye Blind and special guest Frzy
“The Commonwealth Concert Series is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of our shared history and the incredible people who call Pennsylvania home,” Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to finally open ticket registration for our neighbors across the state. From the energy of local favorites like Frzy to Erie’s First to Eleven, this series truly reflects the diverse and vibrant spirit of Pennsylvania. We encourage everyone to visit our online portal to secure their spot at these historic events.”
The concert is one of numerous events planned in Centre County this year to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
Other America 250-connected events include:
• Memorial Day weekend in Boalsburg
• An Independence Day parade, dedication of Hometown Hero banners and a 75-minute concert featuring the Bellefonte and State College community bands on July 3 in Bellefonte.
• The Central Pennsylvania Independence Day Parade and Central PA 4th Fest on July 4 in State College
• An America 250-themed live mural production exhibition during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts July 8-12
• A “Let Freedom Ring” theme for Philipsburg Heritage Days July 9-12
• The State Games of America, being held for the first time at Penn State and in State College July 24 to Aug. 2.
• Activities at the Centre County Grange Fair.
America 250 efforts in Centre County got underway in May 2025 with the dedication of a Liberty Tree on the grounds of the Centre Furnace Mansion in State College.
In November and December, America250PA and Centre County organizations unveiled four artist-designed commemorative Liberty Bells honoring local history — part of the Bells Across PA initiative —at Centre Furnace Mansion, Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village in Howard, downtown Philipsburg and the Bellefonte Train Station.
