State College Weekend Plans: Friday, May 6, to Sunday, May 8

Planning out your State College-area weekend? StateCollege.com hits some highlights here, every Friday. For even more suggestions, check out our calendar of events and our weekly newsletter.

Friday, May 6

Movies

As the U.S. marks the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the Civil War, director Robert Redford focuses on one of its last tragic moments in ‘The Conspirator.’ Mary Surratt (Robin Wright) is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer (James McAvoy) to uncover the truth and save her life.

The God of Thunder from Marvel Comics comes alive on screen in ‘Thor,’ directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman. The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live among humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders. See it in your favorite dimension: 3D or 2.

Another divinely inspired story, this one more or less true, ‘Of Gods and Men’ at The State tells the tale of a group of Trappist monks stationed with an impoverished Algerian community who, under threat by fundamentalist terrorists, must decide whether to leave or stay.

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

Food

The State College Downtown Farmers Market opens three weeks earlier than previously 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. and runs through Nov. 18. Most of the fruits and vegetables sold are seasonal. Some of the vendors sell baked goods, canned goods and crafts all season long. All of the vendors produce or grow what they sell.

For Kids

This year’s Pitch, Hit and Run Competition will be held at Spring Creek Park Softball Field No. 3 off Balmoral Drive. Free for boys and girls ages 7 to 14. The player’s birth certificate is required on-site for age verification.

The Bellefonte YMCA is holding Kids Night Out from 7:30 to 9 p.m. All school-age children are invited to have fun at the YMCA, playing organized games in the gym or swimming. Children under age 8 need to have a parent present in order to swim. Activities for younger children will be held in the aerobic room. Free for Y members, $5 for non-members. Parents must sign children in and out.

Theater

Love and Light Productions presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Arena Bar & Grill at 1521 Martin St., State College, with shows at 8 and 11 p.m. (Friday and Saturday, plus a matinee Sunday). Seating is limited to 150 per show. Tickets cost $15.

Saturday, May 7

Special Events

The 50th annual State College AAUW Used Book Sale opens at 9 a.m. in the Snider Agricultural Arena and runs through Tuesday. Last year, more than 9,000 people took advantage of the bargains offered during the four-day sale. Proceeds benefit AAUW-offered scholarships.

Family

The whole family can enjoy free wagon ride through Way Fruit Farm’s blooming orchard during the Apple Blossom Festival, with local food samplings at the farm store and more. With this spring’s cool weather, blossoms are moving slowly. Way’s orchard is expected to look its prettiest and smell its sweetest this weekend. The event begins at 10 a.m. at 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road.

A Community Show and Tell will give families the chance to meet representatives of some businesses and service organizations in the community. Featured, from 9 a.m. to noon at Mount Nittany Preschool on East Branch Road, will be fingerprinting with State College police, a Boalsburg fire truck, Alpha’s smoke house, an ambulance, clowns, art activities with the Art Alliance, construction vehicles and more. The Ballet Theatre of State College will perform.

The State College Friends School Fun Fair will feature games, arts and crafts, a bounce house, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. Attendees can also enjoy food, a huge bake sale and live entertainment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the State College Friends School, 1900 University Drive.

Sports

The NCAA men’s volleyball national championship game will feature Ohio State and U.C. Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. in Penn State’s Rec Hall.

Music

The Nittany Knights A Capella Barbershop Chorus annual show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the State College High School North Building. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $7 for students.

Sunday, May 8

Mother’s Day Events

Howard Boy Scout Troop 353 is hosting a Mother’s Day dinner, featuring turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings, at the JK Yearick Center in Howard. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 ages 3 to 10, and under 3 are free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The State College Area Municipal Band will present a Mother’s Day Concert, featuring guest trumpet soloist Langston J. Fitzgerald III, at 3 p.m. in the State College Area High School South Auditorium. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Free carnations will be available for mothers.

The Bridge of Hope Mother’s Day Walk from 1 to 5 p.m. on the parade grounds of the 28th Infantry Division’s National Shrine at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg will help raise funds to support single homeless mothers in Centre County.