TGIF: State College Weekend Events for Aug. 31-Sept. 2

Happy Friday, Happy Valley!

It’s Labor Day weekend and the next few days highlight a transition into fall. The State College Spikes home finale, the final Lemont outdoor concert of the season and an ice-cream social for our four-legged friends mark the waning days of summer.

But the signs of fall are emerging, including Penn State football kicking off the season.

It’s also time for the annual Crickfest in Penns Valley, First Sunday in Bellefonte and more.

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. 

Ice Cream Social for Dogs
Bring your pooch to Wiscoy, 424 Aaron Drive, from 6-8 p.m. for the last of the month’s Friday night ice cream socials. 

Easterseals Playground Benefit Concert
A special benefit concert at Tussey Mountain will help the Easterseals Child Development Center ‘pave the way so all can play,’ with playground resurfacing so the area will be accessible for all children. Local bands Hops & Vines, the Feats of Strength and Cousin Neddie will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.

Spikes Home Finale
The State College Spikes conclude their regular season home schedule at 7:05 p.m. Friday, taking on West Virginia at Medlar Field. It’s Fan Appreciation Night, with an array of celebrations and prizes, there’s a special deal for college students, kids can run the bases after the game, one fan will win a Kia, and it’s all capped off with a post-game fireworks show. 

Concert on the Village Green
Lemont Village Association’s summer Friday night concert series wraps up for the season with Erin Condo and the Hoofties from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday on the Village Green. Brazilian Munchies food truck will be on hand.

Penn State Women’s Volleyball
The No. 6-ranked Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team hosts the Penn State Classic in Rec Hall, facing Temple at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Texas A&M at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Trombone Labor Days
The Penn State School of Music is hosting a series of events in Esber Recital Hall for the 2018 Trombone Labor Days. From 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday there will be an open reading session with special guest alumni Kevin McManus joining current trombone studio members. Featured concerts will include the Penn State Jazz Bone Forum in Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and Mark L. Lusk’s 62nd Faculty Trombone Recital at 1 p.m. on Monday. Check here for more events and details.

Penn State Football
In case you needed reminding, college football is back and the Nittany Lions open the season at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Beaver Stadium against Appalachian State. Lots open at 8 a.m. and FanFest starts at 11 a.m. on Curtin Road. New this year, bands will be playing on Curtin Road prior to and after the team arrival. This week it’s Velveeta starting at 11:30 a.m. And when the team arrives at 1 p.m., players will be handing out footballs signed by the team captains and head coach James Franklin to fans lined up on Curtin Road.

Shaver’s Creek Reopening
After being closed to the public for nearly two years for its first major expansion and renovation, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center will have a grand-reopening celebration from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to tours of the new features, there will be live music, food trucks on site, ice cream and live music. See the schedule here. More than 700 people are already expected, so if you’d like a less-crowded option, the nature center will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week until December.

Bellefonte First Sunday
Bellefonte’s monthly celebration of shopping, arts and dining returns. The Bellefonte Art Museum will have new exhibits in five galleries, plus the grand opening of the new Pottery Gallery and Museum Store. High Street Tattoo will host Tattoo PAW-Looza, a fundraiser with Centre County PAWS between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. And downtown shops and restaurants will have special hours, deals and treats. More details here.

Crickfest
Penns Valley Conservation Association will hold the 16th annual Crickfest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Coburn Park.  Admission is free and the day includes local food vendors, live music, environmental workshops and activities such as duck races, zucchini boats, water bottle rockets and visits with animals at the PA Reptile and Amphibian Survey.

Game of Throws
The State College Football Booster Club will hold the third annual ‘Game of Throws’ Cornhole Tournament starting at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Field. All proceeds benefit SCASD football teams (grades 7-12) and registration fees also include lunch and a drink. For registration and tournament play details, check here.