TGIF: State College Weekend Events for Aug. 5-7

The summer may be winding down, but there is still much fun to be had around Happy Valley!

It’s the first Friday of the month, and that means it’s time for First Friday in Downtown State College, with a special August theme of “Dog Days of Summer.” Bring out your pooch and enjoy dog-friendly activities around the downtown.

Friday is also the first night of the Downtown Sidewalk Sale. Participating businesses will have an outdoor presence in front of their stores, then on Saturday the sale moves to Allen Street.

The area’s beer lovers look forward to this weekend every year, as the State College Brew Expo returns to Tussey Mountain with national and local craft beers and live music to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer.

And on Sunday, the Huntingdon County Fair, a tradition for more than 140 years, gets under way.

Looking for a new Happy Valley home? Check out our list of area open houses this weekend and all the newest listings on our Real Estate page

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.

Plus, be sure to stay up to date on what’s happening every week in State College by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.

FRIDAY

Downtown Sidewalk Sale
Back by popular demand, the Downtown Sidewalk Sale returns Friday and Saturday,kicking off in conjunction with First Friday from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Participating downtown businesses will have an outside presence on the sidewalks in front of their stores. On Saturday, the sale resumes from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. with participating businesses moving to the 100 block of South Allen Street. The Sidewalk Sale is a great opportunity to save on end of season merchandise, while enjoying live music and a fun atmosphere.

First Friday
This month’s First Friday celebrates the Dog Days of Summer. Bring your four-legged friends out for dog-friendly events in Downtown State College from 5-9 p.m. Enter your pooch in a photo contest, let them enjoy a dog-friendly obstacle course, and take part in the dog parade. Plus there will be live music around town, and you can check out the annual Sidewalk Sale. Check out all that’s happening here.

Concert on the Village Green
Free Friday concerts on the Lemont Village Green continue at 7:30 p.m. with singer-songwriter-playwright Kenneth Baxter performing on piano and guitar

SATURDAY

Family Discovery Day in the Garden
The Bellefonte Community Children’s Garden welcomes families for a morning of enjoying nature. From 10 a.m.-noon, children can play matching games, hunt for critters, watch worms at work, take home magic bean seeds and talk to a beekeeper.

Benefeast Cancer Fundraiser
The Third Annual Benefeast Cancer Fundraiser the community together aims to raise money and gather volunteers to help our neighbors living with cancer through a celebration of life and the local arts.. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Houserville UMC House of Hope, 120 Houserville Road. Enjoy the work of local artists, musicians/bands, vendors, and restaurants as well as a silent auction to raise funds to support people battling cancer in our community.

State College Brew Expo
“Good Beer, Good Music, Great Cause!” is the slogan for the 18th Annual State College Brew Expo, 5-9 p.m. at Tussey Mountain. Featuring nearly 50 craft brewers — including local, state and national beers — and live music from The Royal Benson and The Radio Birds, the expo is also a charity event benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State. As the longtime motto of the expo says, “Drink less, drink the best” (and the expo has a free shuttle to help you get back to State College without needing to drive.)

SUNDAY

Huntingdon County Fair
For more than 140 years the Huntingdon County Fair has been a tradition, continuing to grow each year. This year’s fair opens at 9 a.m. Sunday and continues through Saturday night at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds. Enjoy food, rides, music and one of the state’s best agricultural exhibitions.

First Sunday at the Bellefonte Art Museum
The Bellefonte Art Museum celebrates First Sunday from noon-4 p.m. with the opening of several new exhibits, including ‘Cuban Art: A Family Workshop,’ an exciting collection of art works created by an important family of artists from Cuba. A reception and art activities for kids begin at 1 p.m.

South Hills Picnic Concert
The weekly summer outdoor music series at South Hills School of Business North Lawn continues with the a capella chorus The Nittany Knights, with new director Graham Sanders and some very special guests.. Bring your picnic starting at 5, and music starts at 6.

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. Second Winds takes the stage at 7 p.m.

Of course that’s not all that’s happening around the area this weekend. Check out our Community Calendar for a full listing of events this weekend and throughout the week.