State College Weekend Plans: Friday, April 22, to Sunday, April 24

Planning out your State College-area weekend? StateCollege.com hits some highlights right here, every Friday:

Friday, April 22

Movies

Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon star in the movie adaptation of the acclaimed bestseller “Water for Elephants.” The movie details an unexpected romance: A veterinary school student (Pattinson) meets and falls in love with a star performer in the circus (Witherspoon).

Samuel L. Jackson narrates the new Disney documentary “African Cats.” The documentary follows three mothers (a lioness, a leopard and a cheetah) as they prowl the plains of Africa on a mission to protect their cubs and teach them the ways of the world.

(For complete movie listings throughout the weekend, check here.)

Family

The Easter Bunny is at the Nittany Mall from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is available for photos.

The State College YMCA is holding a free underwater egg hunt for the public. Registration is required and limited due to safety. The hunt begins at 1 p.m.

Entertainment

The second annual Redbull Chariot Race begins at 2 p.m. on Fraternity Row in State College.

“The Boys Next Door” begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Penn State Downtown Theatre. The play follows a young social worker in charge of four mentally handicapped adults. Jack, the social worker, accepts a new job and learns he is just as dependent on his wards as they are on him.

Sports

Penn State men’s tennis plays Purdue at 3 p.m. in the Sarni Tennis Center.

Penn State men’s baseball takes Medlar Field against Ohio State at 6:35 p.m.

Saturday, April 23

Family

The last chance to meet and take photos with the Easter Bunny at the Nittany Mall is from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Mount Nittany United Methodist Church is holding a free Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. for preschool children through fifth-graders.

Centre Region Parks and Recreation is holding its annual Easter egg hunt at Orchard Park, located at the corner of Bayberry Drive and Blue Course Drive, at 2 p.m. Prize baskets will be provided by the State College Rotary Club. The egg hunt is for children ages two through nine. The event is free and no registration is required.

Kids ages 10 and under are invited to an Egg Hunt at Wheatfield Nursery, in Centre Hall, at 2 p.m. Jax the Bunny is also making a special appearance. Parent supervision required.         

The State College YMCA is holding a second free underwater egg hunt at 1 p.m.

Outdoor

The ClearWater Conservancy is celebrating Earth Day from 8 a.m. until noon with its 15th annual Watershed Cleanup Day. Individuals, families and groups are invited to visit sites throughout Centre County’s watersheds and help clean up trash and litter. A picnic for volunteers will follow at noon at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Centre Wildlife Care, in association with the Small Animal and Exotic Club, is hosting the 12th annual ‘Wild About Animals’ event at the Snider Agricultural Arena at Penn State beginning at 10 a.m. This event is a fundraising and educational event that features a variety of animal-related organizations with an emphasis on wildlife. The event also includes pony rides, face painting, carnival games, Ike the Spike, free candy from the Easter Bunny, silent auction and raffles. Admission is $5 and children under three will be admitted free of charge.

Black Moshannon State Park will be holding four different outdoor programs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The programs include Seasonal Pool Exploration, Amphibian and Reptile Puzzles, and Frog Races. For more information, check the Community Calendar.

Entertainment

“The Boys Next Door” is showing again at 7:30 p.m. at the Penn State Downtown Theatre.

Sports

Penn State men’s baseball battles Ohio State again at 2:05 p.m.

Late Night

DJ Cupcake provides the entertainment at The G-Man beginning at 10 p.m. Specials include $5 32-ounce Hurricane pitchers as well as $2 well drinks during happy hour.  

Sunday, April 24

DVD Releases

Colin Firth hits DVD this week in the Oscar-winning movie “The King’s Speech.” After the death of his father King George V and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII, Firth’s character, who has suffered from a speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England.

Also new on DVD this week is “Gulliver’s Travels.” The modern take on the classic tale stars Jack Black as Lemuel Gulliver, a mailroom clerk at a New York newspaper. After Gulliver bluffs his way into an assignment writing about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle, he is hurtled to an undiscovered world.

Food

Warriors Mark United Methodist Church is hosting an Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. followed by a full, hot breakfast. Donations are accepted.

Sports

Penn State men’s tennis vs. Indiana at 11 a.m.

Penn State women’s softball has a double-header against Longwood at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m at the Nittany Lion Softball Park.

Penn State men’s baseball has its final game with Ohio State at 1:05 p.m. at Medlar Field.