Happy Festival Weekend, Happy Valley!
The headline attraction is, of course, the 50th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. But that’s far from the only thing happening this weekend. The People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg is expected to once again draw more than 100,000 visitors. In Philipsburg, the Heritage Days Festival tradition continues through Sunday. And in Lemont, the upstart Lemont Fest returns for a second year Friday through Sunday.
There is much more going as well, with more festivals, outdoor music, Spikes baseball, Beaver Stadium tours and a special event at the Penn State Student Farm.
We’ve compiled the highlights from festivals and more around the area this weekend. And if you’re looking for more, check out our calendar page to explore the weekend’s events, and feel free to add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
Plus, be sure to stay up to date on what’s happening every week in State College by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.
FESTIVALS
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
Between 125,000 and 150,000 people will descend on State College and the Penn State campus through Sunday for the 50th Annual Arts Festival. In addition to the sidewalk sale, there are live music performances all weekend long on Allen Street, Old Main Lawn, the State Theatre, Sidney Friedman Park, Downtown Theatre Centre, and State College Presbyterian Church.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday you can check out BookFest at Schlow Centre Region Library. This year’s BookFest will celebrate the graphic medium of storytelling, and includes a talk from comic book historian Tim Hanley.
Also be sure to check out the Italian Street Painting Festival on Heister Street, an Arts Fest tradition since 1999, and stop by Friedman Park throughout the weekend to check out sculptor Greg Glenn’s progress on the incredible annual sand sculpture.
All this, plus great food throughout the festival site and much more. Check out our Arts Festival page for complete info.
People’s Choice Festival
Started in 1993 with just about 50 vendors and a handful of food stands and live music acts to showcase local artists and provide a family atmosphere, the People’s Choice Festival at the PA Military Museum grounds in Boalsburg has grown into a major attraction in its own right, drawing about 110,000 per year.
This year’s festival, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, features 200 artists, dozens of food options and 40 musical acts.
The festival also features lots of activities for kids and families, including the annual interactive science museum that is bigger than ever this year.
See the Centre County Gazette’s Official Festival Guide and visit peopleschoicefestival.com for more.
Lemont Fest
A new entry to what has become Festival Weekend in the region, Lemont Fest is back for a second year — 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
The celebration of local art, food and music features vendors and exhibitors at the Lemont Village Green and the Grain Elevator on Mount Nittany Road. The festival will feature live music from 3 p.m. to close each day and children’s art activities and face painting on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Check out lemontvillage.org/lemont-arts–fest for additional information.
AstroFest
Penn State’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics annual multi-evening event continues Friday and Saturday nights from 8:30-11 p.m. both nights. Events are free and open to all ages, featuring stargazing, entertaining and informative presentations, and activities in the planetarium at Davey Lab on the University Park campus. More details.
Philipsburg Heritage Days
The annual event started in 1998 to celebrate Philipsburg’s rich history continues through Sunday. The festival has grown over the years and an estimated 15,000 people now visit the five-day event each year.
Friday’s events include the Flower Show at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church until 5 p.m. and children’s activities from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There will be live music on the Edward Navasky Memorial Sound Stage starting at 4 p.m.
Saturday features the Healthy Heroes 5K and the Grand Parade at 2 p.m. And on Sunday, the featured event is a cruise-style Car Show from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with music and door prizes
For more info, see philipsburgheritagedays.com
ALSO HAPPENING
Ghostbusters Night & More at Medlar Field
The State College Spikes will become the State Puft Marshmallow Men for one night on Friday when they host Ghostbusters Night against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The Spikes will wear special jerseys and caps modeled after the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the 1984 movie, with the game-worn gear being auctioned off for charitable causes. Friday’s first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and it’s also Pokemon GO Night, with fans getting $5 off tickets using the promo code ‘ASH’ at purchase.
Saturday’s game, also at 7:05 p.m., will feature the return of one of the Spikes’ most popular promotions, Cowboy Monkey Rodeo — monkeys riding dogs herding sheep. Post-game will feature a fireworks show. More on the Spikes’ Friday and Saturday promotions.
Penn State Football Lift for Life
The signature event for Penn State football’s efforts to raise money to support the rare disease community will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Lacrosse Field. Competitions include an obstacle course, sand bag stack, sled pull and push, shuttle run and a tug of war finale. More than 80 football team members will participate and will be available for an autograph session immediately after the event.
More info | Interview with Lift for Life and Uplifting Athletes founder Scott Shirley
Antique Fair and Blueberry Festival
Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum hosts an annual antique show and sale showcasing vendors from near and far, with blueberry pies, milkshakes, and other goodies from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Beaver Stadium Tours
The Penn State All-Sports Museum will host tours of Beaver Stadium, with access to the media room, home locker room, tunnel and field, as well as recruiting and club areas. Tours are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and Friends of the All-Sports Museum. Tours are at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. and noon on Sunday. More info.
Blueberry Bash
From 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, visit Black Moshannon State Park for blueberry picking, then from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. enjoy Blueberry Delights and discover different foods to make out of blueberries. Samples will be available and recipe book will be provided. Directions and info.
Summer Fun Day
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte invites the community to Summer Fun Day starting at 11 a.m. for games, food, and gift card BINGO with a $500 prize (Bingo is from 1-3 p.m.).
Art on the Acre
Wrap up your Arts Fest weekend on the Penn State Student Farm. From 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, the farm will host tours, farm-fresh snacks, and flower pot decorating. Tours will start every half hour, with the final tour starting at 5:30pm. This event is open to the entire community, including families and children. Visitors will help to paint pots for the farm, and they can paint pots to take home. Clay pots, paint, brushes and vegetable stamps will be provided. We ask that you wear closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle, and wear clothing that you don’t mind painting in. The farm will provide smocks. The Penn State Student Farm is located at the intersection of Big Hollow and Fox Hollow roads.
Summer Sounds
Summer Sounds from The Gazebo in Talleyrand Park are a staple in the Bellefonte summer activity menu, with nine free concerts every Sunday from June to August. This week the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners bring bluegrass blends to the stage at 7 p.m.
