TGIF: Memorial Day Weekend Events for May 26-29

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and there is a packed schedule of events and observances.

But there’s much more on the calendar as well, including theater, music, and outdoor activities.

We’ve compiled the highlights from the upcoming weekend’s community events in the State College area for you to enjoy. 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.

Boalsburg Memorial Day Weekend

Boalsburg lays claim as the birthplace of Memorial Day and as usual has a full weekend of events on the schedule. There’s the Boalsburg Fire Company’s annual carnival all weekend, the parade on Saturday and the Day in Town festival on Monday. The PA Military Museum hosts “World War II Revisited,” when re-enactors encamp on the grounds Saturday and Sunday. Boal Mansion will hold a special Memorial Day event with Civil War re-enactors, food, a petting zoo and more. The weekend concludes Monday night with a memorial ceremony at the Boalsburg Cemetery, and there’s much, much more on the calendar all weekend.

Check out our round-up of Memorial Day Weekend in Boalsburg and visit our Memorial Day guide. 

FRIDAY

Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival
The Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival will be held on the carnival grounds behind the fire station through Monday. The carnival features midway rides and games and multiple food stands with barbecue chicken, hot sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and more. Bingo will be held in the truck room. Sunday is Wristband Day, with unlimited rides for $15

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.

Eric Ian Farmer at Good Intent
Local singer-songwriter Eric Ian Farmer performs solo on the patio at Good Intent Cidery, 167 S. Potter St., Bellefonte, sharing covers and originals from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with no cover charge.

The Big Bad Musical
All are invited to see the Our Lady of Victory middle school students’ performance of ‘The Big Bad Musical,’ a smart and wickedly funny production, during which the audience determines the outcome of a class-action lawsuit against the Big Bad Wolf. Show time is 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, 800 Westerly Parkway.

National Theatre Live
At 7 p.m., The State Theatre hosts the National Theate Live HD broadcast of ‘Obsession,’ starring Jude Law, from the Barbican Theatre in London. Ivo van Hove directs this new stage adaptation of Luchino Visconti’s 1943 film.

Jazz in the Attic
Musical collaborators since the late 1970s, acclaimed vocalist Dred ‘Perky’ Scott and pianist Steve Rudolph, perform at 8 p.m. as part The State Theatre’s Jazz in the Attic series.

Star Watch
The public is invited to telescope view the moon, planets and some of the brighter deep-sky objects through the variety of telescopes owned by Central PA Observers Club members from 9 to 11 p.m. at Tudek Park. This free event is sponsored by the Central PA Observers Club and the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority. Please bring a flashlight.

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 7 a.m. under the pavilion at the corner of Concession Road and Black Moshannon Road. 5K starts at 8 a.m. and 10K at 9 a.m. Details and registration info.

World War II Revisited
On Saturday and Sunday, the Pennsylvania Military Museum hosts World War II Revisited: Living History Bivouac, with living historians encamped on the grounds, portraying field life in the European Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945. A short history of the war begins at 12:45 p.m., immediately followed by a tactical demonstration against German opposition. The bivouac is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there will be musical entertainment at 2:30 p.m.both days. 

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.

Boalsburg Fire Company Parade
Lineup is at 3 p.m. and the parade starts at 5 p.m. The carnival will be open after the parade until 10 p.m. The parade also celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Boalsburg Fire Company.

Nittany Theatre at the Barn
Nittany Theatre at the Barn presents its second show of the summer stock season as two actors take on 20 characters and 54 costume changes in  ‘Greater Tuna,’ a hilarious show about life in a little Texas town. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through June 10 at the theater in Boalsburg. Ticket info.

SUNDAY

American Legion Memorial Day Service
The American Legion Post 245 will hold Memorial Day services at 3 p.m. at the Pine Hall Cemetery, 1750 W. College Ave., State College. William J. Burkhard will speak and the Coburn Brass will provide music. Stay after the service for a musical concert by the Coburn Brass.

VFW Memorial Day Services
Dunlap Meckley Dean VFW Post 5825 Honor Guard will perform Memorial Day services at Pine Grove Mills Memorial, 9:30 a.m.; Tadpole Road Memorial, 9:50 a.m.; Ross Church, 10:30 a.m., Gatesburg Church, 11 a.m.; and Meeks Church, noon.

Snow Shoe Mud Race
Snow Shoe Volunteer Fire Company will host a vehicle mud course to raise money for equipment and training at noon at the mud track, 256 Rusnack Road in Clarence. Registration is 8 to 11:30 a.m. More info.

Civil War Ball
Boal Mansion, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg, will host Victorian and Civil War-era dance with instruction provided by The Victorian Dance Ensemble. Guests will receive a guided tour and be treated to savories and sweets and other refreshments, including a wine and beer cash bar. Costumes are optional and encouraged, and costumes may be available for rent for $10 each. Cost is $38 per person (museum members receive 10 percent off.) For reservations call 814-876-0129 or 814-466-6210.

MONDAY

Day in Town
Boalsburg’s Memorial Day observance and events begin with the annual Memorial Day Run, followed by vendors, entertainment, historical demonstrations, carnivals and food. The Boal Mansion grounds will have a number of activities and the Boalsburg Heritage Museum will be open for tours.

The Pennsylvania Military Museum hosts the regional chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America annual car show, with pre-war through modern classics on display throughout the ground from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guided tours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The day concludes with the traditional walk from the Diamond to the cemetery at 5:45 p.m. and the memorial service at 6 p.m.

Details and schedule

Memorial Day Services
Dunlap Meckley Dean VFW Post 5825 Honor Guard will perform Memorial Day services at Route 45 Revolutionary War Memorial, 9:30 a.m.; Rock Springs Memorial, 9:40 a.m.; Graysville Cemetery, 10:30 a.m.; Pennsylvania Furnace Cemetery, 11:30 a.m.; Pine Grove Mills Upper Cemetery, noon and Pine Grove Mills Lower Cemetery, 12:30 p.m.