Happy Friday, Happy Valley… and welcome to the unofficial start of summer!
It’s Memorial Day Weekend, which means there will be a full slate of events for celebration and commemoration happening in Boalsburg.
That’s not all that’s happening. You’ll find music at The State Theatre and on the beach at Whipple Dam; the first production of the summer season for Nittany Theatre at The Barn; and the Bluegrass & BBQ mini-festival at Tussey Mountain.
Get outside with the opening of Welch and Park Forest Pools, the Black Moshannon 5k, and Centred Outdoors at the Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor.
And check out vehicles in action at the Snow Shoe Mud Races, or on display at the regional Antique Automobile Club of America chapter’s annual summer kick-off show.
We’ve compiled the highlights below.
Of course this isn’t all that’s happening. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
MULTI-DAY
Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival
The Boalsburg Fire Company’s Memorial Day Weekend Carnival will be held on the carnival grounds behind the fire station through Monday. The carnival features midway rides and games and a wide array of food and drink. Sunday is Wristband Day, with unlimited rides for $15. New this year is live music, with Kristi Jean and Her Ne’er Do-Wells at 7 p.m. Friday and David Zentner at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Carnival times are 6-10 p.m. Friday; 6-10 p.m. Saturday; 2-6 p.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday.
Over the River and Through the Woods
Nittany Theatre at the Barn’s first production of the summer season is the Joe Pietro comedy ‘Over the River and Through the Woods.’ Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with performances continuing next Wednesday through Friday.
World War II Revisited
The Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg hosts World War II Revisited, a Living History Bivouac, 10-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Axis and Allied living historians encamp on the grounds portraying field life in the European Theater of Operations, 1944-45. A short history of the war begins at 12:45 p.m. immediately followed by a tactical demonstration against German opposition.
Memorial Day Services
Services honoring those who lost their lives serving the nation will be held around the area on Sunday and Monday. Check here for a listing of times and locations.
FRIDAY
Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner
Featuring a huge, home-cooked wedding-style meal, the Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner, supporting medical expenses for local families, will have eight time slots from noon to 8 p.m. at Walker Township Fire Company, 125 Fire House Lane, Howard
Jazz in the Attic
Harrisburg-based pianist Steve Rudolph has had an inspiring 50-year career, performing alongside jazz luminaries and establishing himself as one of the heavyweights of his craft. He will perform at 8 p.m. as part of the State Theatre’s Jazz in the Attic series, joined by State College favorites Bob Hart and Kevin Lowe.
SATURDAY
Black Moshannon 5K & 10K
A Memorial Day weekend tradition since 1980, the 5K and 10K races at Black Moshanon State Park help raise money to support the YMCA of Centre County and the local community. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. under the pavilion at the corner of Concession Road and Black Moshannon Road. 5K starts at 9 a.m. and 10K at 10 a.m. Details and registration info.
Pools Open
Welch Community Swimming Pool and Park Forest Community Swimming Pool are scheduled to open for the season, weather permitting, with general swim from noon to 8 p.m.
Drone Racing
South Hills School of Business and Technology has affiliated with the Central PA Quad Racers to bring drone racing to the area. The first sanctioned drone race will be held beginning at 1 p.m and will be held at Buzzard Field, 1367 Ridge Road, Mill Hall. Spectators are encouraged to arrive by noon.
Dawn of a World Forever Changed
At 3 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Military Museum, ‘The Dawn of a World Forever Changed – The Story of the 509th Composite Group and the Atomic Bomb,’ explores the formation, training and missions of the super secret organization tasked with delivering the atomic bomb. Private photos and personal experiences are interspersed with the riveting history of this famous unit that brought an end to hostilities in World War II. Presented by Museum Senior Lecturer Scott Davis. Admission required.
Boalsburg Fire Company Parade
Lineup is at 3:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 5 p.m., rain or shine The carnival will be open after the parade until 10 p.m.
Bluegrass & BBQ
Tussey Mountain Amphitheater hosts its second annual Bluegrass & BBQ from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The mini-festival will feature music by The Plate Scrapers and Mama Corn, along with mouth-watering local barbecue from Canyon, Clem and Co., Doan’s Bones and Prospector’s Allegheny Rib Co. Beer and other food options, including Rosie’s Pierogies, Crazy Carl’s Kettlecorn and the Weiner Wagon, also will be available. $5 admission (kids 12 and under admitted free). All items inside the Amphitheater must be purchased with tickets. Any remaining tickets from previous years’ WingFest and other events are valid. Cash only. No pets.
Music on the Beach
Whipple Dam State Park opens its Music on the Beach summer concert series with Pure Cane Sugar performing from 7 to 9 p.m.
SUNDAY
Colonial Liturgy
As part of Memorial Day weekend, Zion Lutheran Church of Boalsburg, 105 Old Boalsburg Road, will host a special colonial-era liturgy with patriotic hymns at 10:15 a.m.
Snow Shoe Mud Race
Snow Shoe Volunteer Fire Company will host its vehicle mud track races — with classes for modified, street, stock and backwoods beaters — at noon at the mud track, 256 Rusnack Road in Clarence. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, free for kids five and younger. More info.
Centred Outdoors
Bring your binoculars to experience all the wildlife the Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor has to offer from 2 to 5 p.m. for the next installment of Centred Outdoors. Hikers will tour the grass and wildflower meadows and woodland areas to learn about the importance of wildlife corridors and the diverse community of bird, mammal, plant, pollinator and amphibian species they support. RSVP and directions.
Sunday Afternoon Music
The string duo of Ashley English Tobin, viola, and John Paul Tobin, violin and viola, perform music from the middle Renaissance to late classical periods at the last of this season’s Bellefonte Sunday Afternoon Music Series, 2:30 p.m. at Trinity UMC, 128 W. Howard St.
Flute Recital
State College flutist Ay Kawasaki will present a recital as part of the Young Artists Concert Series at 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, 780 Waupelani Drive. She will be assisted by pianist Erik Clayton and guitarist Matthew Wherley. The program will include works by Pierre Sancan and Astor Piazzola and a piece for flute and piano by State College composer Luisa Bressan. Donations will benefit Centre Safe.
MONDAY
Boalsburg Memorial Day
Boalsburg’s Memorial Day observance and events begin with the 39th annual Memorial Day Run, followed by carnivals, 130+ vendors, music and entertainment, historical demonstrations and food. The Boal Mansion grounds will have a number of activities and the Boalsburg Heritage Museum will be open for tours. The day concludes with the traditional walk from the Diamond at 5:45 p.m. to the cemetery, with the memorial service starting at 6 p.m. See the full details and schedule.
Classic Auto Show
The Allegheny Mountain Region Antique Automobile Club of America Chapter’s annual summer season kickoff event featuring many pre-war through modern classics on display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the grounds of the 28th Division Shrine Complex/Pennsylvania Military Museum. $5 for on-site parking.
Monday Movies
The State Theatre presents ‘Blade Runner: The Final Cut,’ director Ridley Scott’s definitive version of his sci-fi masterpiece, at 3 and 7 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the theatre will screen Cecil B Demille’s 1917 silent film ‘The Little American.‘
