TGIF: State College Weekend Events for July 26-28

Happy Friday, Happy Valley!

Plenty of summer fun is on tap this weekend, with the Pleasant Gap Fire Company Carnival, Centre County Farm Tour and exciting promotions and events for the State College Spikes weekend series. Concerts, movies under the stars, outdoor events, the area’s most musical 5k and much more are happening around the area.

We’ve picked out some of the weekend’s highlights below

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

Pleasant Gap Fire Company Carnival
The Pleasant Gap Fire Company Carnival continues Friday and Saturday at the carnival grounds, 475 Robinson Lane. Entertainment includes Velveeta playing Friday night and Hybrid Ice on Saturday, both from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Chicken barbecue starts at 4 p.m. each day and food stands open by 6 p.m.. For carnival rides, buy a one price wrist band and ride all night.

FRIDAY

Friday in the ‘Fonte
The last Friday of each month in Bellefonte celebrate the historic downtown’s shopping, dining, arts and craft beverages. This month find specials at a variety of downtown businesses, enjoy Anchor & Arrow performing at Big Spring Spirits, check out Good Intent Cider for a small-batch release, enjoy a girls night out with The Cakery and By A Thread Boutique, and more. See the lineup here. 

Blair Thomas at Medlar Field
The State College Spikes host the West Virginia Black Bears for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Blair Thomas bobblehead, and the Penn State football great himself will be on hand for all fans to have a chance to meet and get an autograph. Ike’s Kid Zone is free all game long, kids can run the bases after the game, and it’s all capped off with a post-game fireworks show. (UPDATE: Bobblehead delivery has been delayed and the first 1,000 fans will receive a voucher to get one when they arrive, as well as a voucher for a ticket to a future Spikes game and a free bag of popcorn. All other promotions, including Blair Thomas’ appearance, are still on.)

Concert on the Village Green
Lemont Village Association’s summer Friday night concert series continues with cover band Side Project bringing a blend of feel good music — from ’70s Southern rock to modern dance hits — to the band shelter on the Village Green from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Happy Dishes food truck will be on site. Bring blankets or chairs. 

Movie on the Mountain
Enjoy a movie under the stars as the summer Movies on the Mountain at Tussey Mountain presents the acclaimed 2018 hit ‘A Star Is Born,’ starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. Admission is free. Gates open at 8 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.

SATURDAY

Pedal, Splash & Dash Youth Triathlon
This annual Centre Region Parks & Rec event is open to youth, ages 6-13, and includes varying distances. Swimming will take place at Welch Pool; the bike portion will use the bike path from Welch Pool to Blue Course Drive, and the run will be held on the State High field above the pool. Participants must be equipped with appropriate swim wear, their own bicycle and helmet, and running shoes or sneakers. Parents/guardians should be present to assist their children with event transitions. $10 in advance, $20 on race day. Times vary by age group, starting with 12-13 at 8 a.m. Check here for details.

Flutopia 5k
The most musical 5k in town is back in a new location. The Flutopia 5k will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg. Instead of a starter gun, the race begins with a rendition of ‘Flight of the Bumblebee.’ Along the course runners, joggers and walkers are serenaded by area musicians. Prizes are music-themed, and the day also includes a 50-yard dash for children 10 and under. Registration is available online or the day of the race. Proceeds benefit Centre Volunteers in Medicine.

Centre County Farm Tour
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, the Centre County Farmland Trust’s signature event will offer a chance to see animals up close, tour a cheese cave, taste fresh foods and wine, and take in beautiful views while learning about the hands and lands that feed us at 10 area farms. Admission this year is free and visitors can start at any of the featured farms pick up a guide and visit as many stops as they wish. A map and directions for the 14th annual event can be found at centrecountyfarmtour.com.

Spikes Youth Baseball Clinic
Bring your youngster (ages 12 and under) out to Medlar Field at 11 a.m. for the Spikes Youth Baseball Clinic to learn baseball skills from the pros. The clinic is free with a ticket to Saturday night’s game. 

Family Day: Fun with Photos
From noon to 3 p.m. at Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art, enjoy a brief, family-friendly guided tour of ‘Under the Mexican Sky: A Revolution in Modern Photography,’ then explore a variety of photographic processes including cyanotypes, photo transfers, and digital green-screen magic. Family Day at the Palmer is ideal for families with children ages 5 to 11, but all ages are welcome. 

Concert for a Cause
Join the State College Young Professionals from 3-8 p.m. at the MLK Plaza, 127 S. Fraser St., for a special concert benefiting the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund. Caryn Dixon, Sad Sinderella, Anchor & Arrow and Ne’er Do Wells will perform. Race Street Brew Works will have beer and Taco Inc. and Duck Donuts will be on hand. $15 for SCYP members, $20 for non-members in advance or $25 day of. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

State College Spikes
The Spikes host West Virginia with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The first 1,000 fans receive a team poster and there will be a pre-game team autograph session. It’s Super Saturday with plenty of chances to win big with on-field contests and special ticket opportunities, and after the game kids can run the bases.

Musical Theater Cabaret
FUSE Productions presents a musical theater cabaret at 7:30 p.m. in the Singing Onstage Studios, 1108 S. Pugh St. This month’s cabaret will feature songs from ‘A Star is Born,’ ‘The Wedding Singer,’ ‘tick…tick…BOOM!,’ ‘The Goodbye Girl,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ ‘Cinderella’ and many more. $5 suggested donation. Park at the school across the street

Movie in the Park
The Bellefonte Woman’s Club sponsors free family movie nights in Talleyrand Park on Saturday nights this summer, this week featuring ‘Christopher Robin.’ Admission begins at 7:30 p.m. and the film starts at dusk. Popcorn and water are free while supplies last. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks, and flashlights. In case of inclement weather, movies will be held indoors at the YMCA, 125 W. High St.

SUNDAY

Book Signing
State College native Kim Eisele will return home to discuss and sign her novel, ‘The Lightest Object In the Universe,’ from 1-3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 365 Benner Pike. Eisele is a featured author in the B&N Discover Great New Writers program

Centred Outdoors
This week’s Centred Outdoors takes a trip to scenic Colyer Lake in Potter Township to explore the walking path encircling this community treasure. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be nearby to provide “hands-on” information about creatures that live in and around the lake. Guests can also rent a boat before or after the hike and take to the little waves of the lake. Hikes are at 2 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday and will be held again at 5 and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Directions and more info.

Pinkalicious & Peterrific
WPSU will offer a free screening of the new PBS Kids movie ‘Pinkalicious & Peterrific: A Pinkaperfect Birthday,’ at 2 p.m. in the State Theatre. In this one-hour special, Pinkalicious gets her birthday wish and turns all of Pinkville pink. Admission is free, but registration is required.

Distinguished Author Series
Roger L. Geiger, distinguished professor of higher education emeritus at Penn State, is widely recognized as the preeminent historian of American higher education. His Centre County Historical Society lecture — 2 p.m. at Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave. — will speak to national trends in the evolution of higher education since 1945 and is based on his new title: ‘American Higher Education since World War II: A History.’

Paint the Park Pink Night
The State College Spikes finish a weekend series with the West Virginia Black Bears at 6:05 p.m. for Paint the Park Pink Night to raise funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. The Spikes will wear special pink plaid jerseys, which will be auctioned to benefit the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a pink plaid blanket. Sundays at Medlar Field are also Kids Days with a pre-game catch on the field, post-game kids run the bases, free Kids Zone, and the first 250 kids 12 and under receive a voucher good for a free hot dog, chips and small soda. And the night ends with another spectacular fireworks show.

South Hills Music Picnic
South Hills School of Business and Technology, 480 Waupelani Drive, continues its summer concert series with award-wining folk singer Van Wagner performing acoustic songs and stories about Pennsylvania’s natural and cultural heritage, 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.

Summer Sounds from the Gazebo
A seasonal staple in Bellefonte, Summer Sounds from the Gazebo in Talleyrand Park continues with blues four-piece The Gabe Stillman Band at 7 p.m. Lawn chairs or blankets are suggested.