Penn State’s back in session for the fall semester and most local schools start on Monday, making this weekend an unofficial end to summer. But there is still plenty of summer fun to be had.
The 144th Grange Fair wraps up on Friday and Saturday, with two final days of music, food, games, rides, vendors, exhibitions, competitions and more.
There’s also Movies on the Mountain, concerts, sports, a Centre Region Parks and Rec end of summer bash and much more happening around the area this weekend.
We’ve compiled some of the weekend’s 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.
FRIDAY
NITRO Meet You
Support Discovery Space’s upcoming marine life exhibit and make a liquid nitrogen ice-cream treat at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for members and $5 for non-members, with admission to the science center starting at 5:30 p.m.
East Coast Pulling Event
The first of a two-night spectacular, the Lucas Oil East Coast National Pulling Event gets under way at the Grange Fair Competition Track at 7 p.m. Free with admission to the fair.
Penn State Men’s Soccer
The Nittany Lion men’s soccer team opens the season, its first under head coach Jeff Cook, at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field against UCF.
Spikes vs. Doubledays
The State College Spikes take on Auburn with a 7:05 p.m. first-pitch. The first 1,000 fans will receive a DaeSean Hamilton bobblehead, honoring the record-setting Penn State receiver. It’s Autism Awareness Night, there’s a special ticket and food deal for college students, and kids can run the bases post-game. And be sure to stick around for a post-game fireworks show.
Penn State Women’s Volleyball
The No. 6-ranked Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team opens the 2018 season at Rec Hall, hosting Eastern Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Penn State Classic.
Concert on the Village Green
Lemont Village Association’s summer Friday night concert series continues from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the Village Green with piano-based classic rock from The Project. Brazilian Munchies food truck will be on hand.
Funny Money
Nittany Theatre at the Barn‘s summer season continues with the Ray Cooney farce ‘Funny Money,’ which follows the frenetic events that ensue when mild-mannered accountant Henry Perkins accidentally picks up the wrong briefcase, one full of money. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Barn in Boalsburg.
Movie on the Mountain
Enjoy a movie under the stars as the weekly summer Movies on the Mountain at Tussey Mountain presents Pixar’s ‘Coco.’ Admission is free. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk. Popcorn and candy will be available, as well as hot dogs, and other great food you won’t find at regular movie theaters. Soda, beer, and other beverages also are offered. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute heads to the State Theatre for an 8 p.m. show. No wigs, no backing tracks, and no gimmicks — just five seasoned musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note-for-note renditions of hits spanning the bands career.
Mark Wills
Award-winning singer and multi-platinum country star Mark Wills takes the grandstand stage at the Grange Fair for an 8 p.m. show.Grandstand shows are included in the price of admission to Grange Fair.
SATURDAY
LION Dash 5k
New and returning Penn State students and community members are invited to participate in the inaugural LION Dash 5K run/walk starting at 9 a.m. on the 200 block of South Allen Street. Participants will tour Downtown, the Highlands and State College South, exploring some of the neighborhoods that make State College a unique place to live. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Centre County Women’s Resource Center.
So Long Summer Shindig
To mark the (unofficial) end of summer and as a thank you to the community, Centre Region Parks and Recreation will host the So Long, Summer Shindig from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tudek Park. Activities Activities include carnival and family-style yard games, inflatables, face painting, crafts and a 50/50 raffle, as well as activities and games from partner organizations. Several local food trucks will be on site.
Penn State Women’s Volleyball
The Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team continues the season-opening Penn State Classic at Rec Hall with a pair of matches. Penn State faces UMBC at 10 a.m. and Navy at 7 p.m.
Penn State Women’s Soccer
Coming off a pair of season-opening wins last weekend, the No. 3-ranked Nittany Lion women’s soccer team faces another test with a 4 p.m. showdown against No. 2 UCLA at Jeffrey Field.
East Coast Pulling Event
The second of a two-night spectacular, the Lucas Oil East Coast National Pulling Event, feature pro stock tractors and two-wheel drive trucks, takes place at the Grange Fair Competition Track at 7 p.m. Free with admission to the fair.
Spikes vs. Doubledays
The State College Spikes close out a three-game series against Auburn with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Medlar Field. The first 500 fans receive a free backpack, Ike’s Kids Zone is free all night, kids can run the bases after the game and there’s a special ticket and food deal for college students. Stick around for another post-game fireworks show.
Movie on the Mountain
Enjoy the final Movie on the Mountain at Tussey Mountain of the summer with a screening of the science fiction adventure ‘Ready Player One.’ Admission is free. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk. Popcorn and candy will be available, as well as hot dogs, and other great food you won’t find at regular movie theaters. Soda, beer, and other beverages also are offered. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Blues Traveler
[Sold out, but some tickets may become available the day of the show. Check here for details.] After hitting big in the 1990s, Blues Traveler has developed a reputation for its improvisational live shows and tireless touring while producing 12 studio albums over the past three decades. The band plays the State Theatre at 8 p.m.
Building 429
Close out the Grange Fair with Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Building 429, performing at 8 p.m. on the Grandstand stage. Free with admission to the fair.
SUNDAY
Penn State Field Hockey
The No. 6-ranked Nittany Lion field hockey team opens the 2018 season at home, taking on No. 7 Virginia at noon.
The Night BeFORE
Golfers and non-golfers alike are invited to an evening of family-friendly fun benefiting ClearWater Conservancy at the Night BeFORE from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mountain View Country Club. $15 admission includes free beer from Otto’s Pub and Brewery, live music, light hors d’oeuvres and one chance to win in the evening’s main event as up to 2,000 golf balls are released from the Alpha Fire Company ladder truck. A putting contest begins at 5 p.m. with the ball drop at 7:45 p.m. Children under 12 and registered golfers in Monday’s Otto’s Golf-Fest are admitted for free.
South Hills Music Picnic
South Hills School of Business and Technology, 480 Waupelani Drive, hosts the final installment of the year for its summer concert series, with the Zeropoint Big Band from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Grounds open at 5 p.m. and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets and chairs. Refreshments and light picnic fare also will be available for purchase.
T-Sisters
California-bred folk band the T-Sisters bring their blend of roots, pop and indie-folk influences to Elk Creek Cafe & Aleworks for a 5 p.m. show.
