Summer is winding down, but there is still plenty to do this weekend in the State College area. We’re here to help you decide from among the many local offerings. StateCollege.com highlights many of the region’s scheduled activities every Friday in Weekend Plans.
For even more suggestions, check out our calendar of events, weekly newsletter, yard-sale classifieds and open-house listings. Or visit our weather page for the latest forecasts.
Friday, Aug. 5
Movies
‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ is an origin story set in present-day San Francisco, where human experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. Opens locally at College 9 Theatre.
A married father accidentally switches bodies with his best friend, leading to a series of wildly complex difficulties in the comedy ‘The Change-Up,’ also at College 9 Theatre.
Movies on the Mountain at the Tussey Mountain Amphitheater features the animated ‘Tangled,’ based on the favorite story of ‘Rapunzel,’ beginning at dusk. Admission is just $1!
The Summer Bike-In Movie Series at Sunset Park features the classic ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ beginning at 8:30 p.m. Pack a picnic and a blanket, bike or walk to the park and enjoy the free outdoor movie, shown on an inflatable screen, presented by Centre Region Parks and Recreation. The rain date is Saturday.
More complete movie listings throughout the weekend are available on StateCollege.com.
Theater
Singing Onstage presents ‘Chicago, The Musical’ at The State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another ‘Merry Murderess,’ Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the ‘American Dream’: fame, fortune and acquittal. This sharp satire features a dazzling score that sparked immortal staging by Bob Fosse.
The Penn State School of Theatre continues its run of ‘The Good Doctor’ at the Downtown Theatre Center, on the 100 block of South Allen Street. The production is scheduled to continue through Saturday.
Food
The State College Downtown Farmers Market continues on Locust Lane (across from the HUB lawn) between College Avenue and Beaver Avenue. The market is held Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Most of the fruits and vegetables sold are seasonal. Some of the vendors sell baked goods, canned goods and crafts all season long. All vendors produce or grow what they sell.
Other area farmers markets are included in the StateCollege.com community calendar.
For the Kids
Discovery Space is hosting its own version of ‘Shark Week.’ Visit the museum at 112 W. Foster Ave. through Sunday and you can dig up and identify fossilized shark teeth and learn about these magnificent creatures. Each child gets to take home a shark’s tooth free with paid admission.
Music
An Evening of Music at Shaver’s Creek features Grain, playing Appalachian Mountain music, from 6:30–8 p.m. Grain was formed in October 2010, but the band’s members are veterans of many other groups – including Appalachian Alchemy, Summer Reign, Grass Stained Genes, and Sweetwater, to name a few. Influenced by styles ranging from bluegrass and blues to gypsy jazz and grunge, Grain blends tight vocal harmonies with potently precise instrumentals to perform original songs and high-octane arrangements of American classics.
The Lemont Concert Series features Michelle Katz from 7:30-9 p.m. on the Village Green. Bring a picnic.
Pure Cane Sugar is at Down UnderHello Vixon performs at the Arena.
For more complete bar specials and entertainment listings, visit StateCollege.com’s Bar Tour page.
Sports
The State College Spikes host the Jamestown Jammers on Fireworks Night at beautiful Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Saturday, Aug. 6
Down on the Farm
Centre County Local Foods Week culminates with the sixth annual Centre County Farm Tour from 12:30 to 5 p.m. The cost is $15 per car, $5 per biker. The Farm Tour provides access to farms around the region, with farm-fresh products available for sale. See livestock up close, take a look inside a milking house or just wander around the beautiful gardens.
The Farm Tour also includes the Farmland Preservation Artists Exhibit and Sale from noon to 5 p.m. at the Beiler Family Farm, 225 Ross Hill Road, Spring Mills.
Heritage Celebrations
The 20th annual Old Home Days Heritage Festival kicks off with a bang and a boom as the Civil War comes to the Greenwood Furnace State Park Saturday and Sunday. Discover the heritage of this former iron furnace community through living history presentations, demonstrations and musical programs while marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. You can even participate in many activities, including the Old Home Day traditional cake walk. The entire event is free.
Learn about Life in the Moshannon Valley in the 1700s as Joe Harding from Penn State conducts this fun program about the history of the area from 7 to 8 p.m. at Black Moshannon State Park. Discover how people were able to survive during this time and try your luck at flint and steel. Meet at the amphitheater in the campground.
Sports
The Spikes host the Jamestown Jammers on Hometown Heroes Night, Retro Tin Lunch Box Giveaway Night and Scratch ‘N Win Saturday. Kids can run the bases after the game.
Sunday, Aug. 7
Music
The Bellefonte Community Band will perform at the South Hills Music Picnic, 480 Waupelani Drive. The picnic starts at 5 p.m., the music at 6 p.m.
Banjovial will be featured at Summer Sounds from The Gazebo in Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte, beginning at 7 p.m.
