Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
This weekend brings the return of the Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest for its second year in downtown State College. Even bigger this year, the three-day celebration of the performing arts features 125 event at 12 venues and outdoor performances and activities on South Allen Street. Fast becoming an exciting new tradition, the festival is a showcase of all that the local performing arts community has to offer.
That’s not all that’s happening though. The Boalsburg Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival, Summer Solstice celebrations, concerts, a movie under the stars and more are all on tap this weekend.
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
Central PA Theatre & Dance Fest
It’s a weekend full of performing arts around downtown State College as the Central PA Theatre & Dance Fest returns for its second year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find 125 events occurring across 12 venues, with performances for all ages and across a wide array of genres, from musical theater to comedy and improv, burlesque to kid-friendly. Taken in plays, musicals, readings, poetry, dance performances, circus arts, puppetry, music and more, and get involved with workshops, classes and activities. In addition to all the indoor events, new this year the festival takes over the 100 block of South Allen Street with family-friendly programming each day, capped off by a community dance party each night. Some events are free to attend, others require tickets or passes. Check out the full lineup and ticket info here.
Related: Central PA Theatre & Dance Fest Is Back and Bigger for Its Second Year | FUSE Productions Presents ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ | Penn State Centre Stage to Perform New Musical Co-Written by Mike Reid | New Pieces to Premiere at Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest
Stamp Show
Mount Nittany Philatelic Society’s SCOPEX 2019 Stamp Show, with sale and exhibition, takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place in Bellefonte. Free admission and free parking.
Snow Shoe Carnival
The annual Snow Shoe Carnival continues 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with food, rides and games off East Sycamore Street in Snow Shoe. Fireworks close out the carnival on Saturday night.
Discovery Days at Lincoln Caverns
Celebrate 89 years of discovery at Lincoln Caverns, 7703 William Penn Highway in Huntingdon, with once-a-year special historic tours, workshops, children’s activities and fun for the whole family at discounted prices, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Ham Radio Operator Field Day
The Nittany Amateur Radio Club will join thousands of radio hobbyists or hams in a 24-hour radio marathon called Field Day the weekend of from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Pleasant Gap Fire Company carnival grounds, 475 Robinson Lane. Hams around the U.S. and Canada will operate temporary radio stations using solar, battery, or generator power to simulate emergency conditions. The public is welcome any time during the event to cheer-on local hams or learn more about amateur radio.
FRIDAY
The Longest Day
Juniper Village at Brookline’s Wellspring Memory Care, 610 W. Whitehall Rd., will mark ‘The Longest Day’ in support of the Alzheimer’s Association with an Jamboree filled with music, food, art, fitness and fun, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Home Instead Senior Care, 2100 E. College Ave., also will hold The Longest Day festivities from 1 to 4 p.m. with refreshments, flower creation design and a raffle drawing
Boalsburg Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival
A celebration of great wine, brews, spirits, food and entertainment, the fifth annual Boalsburg Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Diamond. Sample, sip, savor and take home products from at least 15 local vendors while enjoying live music from Callanish at 5 p.m. and Scott Mangene at 7 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event and may be purchased at Duffy’s Tavern, 113 E. Main St., Boalsburg; Magnum Broadcasting, 315 S. Atherton Street; Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, 324 Decker Valley Road in Spring Mills or 101 W. Main St. in Boalsburg; or A Basket Full, 121 E. Main St., Boalsburg.
Summer Solstice at the Student Farm
The Student Farm at Penn State will host its third annual Summer Solstice Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 1-acre farm, near the intersection of Big Hollow and Fox Hollow roads. The celebration is free and open to the public. Two local food trucks, Brazilian Munchies and Taproot Kitchen, will serve dishes made with produce grown at the Student Farm. Guests are also welcome to bring their own picnic dinners to enjoy. Local live music will be performed by Three Out of Four. All ages can enjoy activities such as corn hole, face painting and planting flowers.
Concert on the Village Green
Lemont Village Association’s summer Friday night concert series continues with The Nittany Knights Barber Shop Chorus performing American classics, pop favorites, show tunes and more, in close-harmony a cappella style at the new band shelter on the Village Green from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bring blankets or chairs.
Movie on the Mountain
Enjoy a movie under the stars as the weekly summer Movies on the Mountain at Tussey Mountain kicks off for the summer with the classic 1978 musical romance ‘Grease.’ 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.
SATURDAY
Family Discovery Day
Bellefonte Community Children’s Garden‘s latest Family Discovery Day is ‘Super Seeds!’ celebrating the amazing world of seeds, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 203 N. Allegheny St., behind the Centre County Historical Museum.
Great Outdoor Picnic
A family event designed to introduce kids to outdoor sports, the fifth annual Great Outdoor Picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, 222 Penns Cave Road, Centre Hall. Families can participate in a wide range of outdoor sports such as fly fishing, BB gun shooting and archery, activities and demonstrations. Hourly drawings will give away a BB gun and starter fly fishing rod to a lucky youth. Every adult who purchases a ticket is entered into the Super Raffle for 71 outdoor-themed prizes valued at more than $37,000. An old-fashioned picnic lunch is included. Admission is $100 and includes two adults and an unlimited number of kids age 17 and under. Tickets may be ordered in advance online at www.pfsc.org/picnic-signup/ or call 814-238-8138 for more information. The Annual GreatOutdoor Picnic is sponsored by the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation and the Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists.
WPSU Kids’ Day at DelGrosso’s Park
Celebrate WPSU Kids’ Day next to Kids’ Kingdom in DelGrosso’s Park, 4352 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Tipton, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet and take a photo with Buddy from PBS KIDS’ ‘Dinosaur Train,’ enjoy fun science-themed activities and get something take home.
Penn’s Woods Festival Orchesta
The Penn’s Woods Music Festival Orchestra, with conductor Gerardo Edelstein, performs a program of Ibert, Tchaikovsky, Ravel and Haydn at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of Music Building I at Penn State. Tickets.
SUNDAY
Centred Outdoors
This week’s Centred Outdoors heads to Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center for guided, educational walks at 2 and 3:30 p.m. After meeting at the center, explore a nearby trail to look for wildflowers and to listen for the early summer birds of forest and fields. Along the way, participants will learn how the nature center staff monitors nesting birds. The walk will be about 1 mile, so come prepared with sturdy footwear and a full water bottle. Participants have the option to walk through the new Raptor Center before or after the walk. The Shaver’s Creek walk will be held again at 5 and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fireside Collective
Asheville, NC based newgrass band Fireside Collective is a group of folk music enthusiasts who blend elements of traditional bluegrass and American roots music with modern acoustic arrangements. They bring their energetic live show to Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks, 100 W. Main St. Millheim, for a 5 p.m. performance.
Organ Dedication Concert
Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, 1833 Park Forest Avenue, will celebrate the installation of the Holtkamp Organ, formerly located in Penn State’s Esber Recital Hall, with a recital concert at 5 p.m. featuring June Miller, Anthony Leach, Cynthia Mills and Graham Sanders.
South Hills Music Picnic
South Hills School of Business and Technology, 480 Waupelani Drive, continues its summer concert series with Wellspring’s contemporary styling and broad range delivering an inspiring and soulful sound in a wide variety of genres 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 1940s retrospective trio The Lindy Sisters at 7 p.m. Lawn chairs or blankets are suggested.
