Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
Mother’s Day is on Sunday and there are plenty of ways to celebrate mom, from a pottery show to a plant celebration to wine and cupcakes to a special Sunday concert.
A new monthly festival makes its debut in downtown State College on Mother’s Day as well, with the first State College Culture Crawl. It’s one of several events this weekend ushering in festival season around Centre County.
Or if you and mom are Pink Floyd fans, then welcome to The Machine, America’s top Pink Floyd show, performing at The State Theatre.
That’s just some of what’s happening around the area. There’s much more and 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
National Public Gardens Day at the Arboretum
Join the Arboretum at Penn State for National Public Gardens Day. Free, docent-guided tours will begin on the hour from 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. starting at the Overlook Pavilion.
Penn State Baseball
The Nittany Lion baseball team wraps up a three-game series with a doubleheader against Xavier, beginning at 2 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Penn State concludes its home slate at 6:30 p.m. on Monday against St. Bonaventure.
Mother’s Day Pottery Sale and Show
The Art Alliance of Central PA Potters Guild hosts a three-day sale and show featuring handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces by local ceramics artists at the Art Alliance, 818 Pike Street in Lemont. An opening reception with cocktails and appetizers will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, with the sale continuing 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Tapas at Taproot
Benefiting the Centre Volunteers in Medicine dental program, this fundraising event, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Meetinghouse on Atherton, 318 S. Atherton St., features an art show by Centre Region artist Todd Krout, music by local musicians, University Wine Company and a variety of locally-sourced and seasonally-inspired tapas made by Taproot Kitchen. Suggested donation is $20. Toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss also will be collected for CVIM. RSVP here.
Sock Hop
A 1950s sock hop from 7 to 10 p.m. at Lions Community Park, 424 W. Pine Grove Rd. in Pine Grove Mills, will benefit Bridge of Hope Centre County and its work to end family homelessness. DJ Real Deal Bob Steele will play ’50s hits, and the night will include ice cream sundaes, photo booth, 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Register here.
The Machine Performs Pink Floyd
The nation’s top Pink Floyd show, with 25 years of extending the classic rock band’s legacy while forging its own, The Machine visits The State Theatre for an 8 p.m. show.
SATURDAY
AAUW State College Book Sale
The region’s largest book sale returns for its 57th year, beginning at 9 a.m. at Snider Ag Arena. Hundreds of thousands of books, plus comics, CDs, DVDs, board games and more will be available at the sale, which continues through Tuesday. Check the schedule here.
Plant Celebration and Garden Sale
Do your spring garden shopping, while supporting a local non-profit organization that helps people understand, experience, appreciate and preserve Centre County’s cultural and natural heritage. The annual Plant Celebration, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., is a key fundraiser for the Centre County Historical Society, including its care of the gardens and grounds of Centre Furnace Mansion and Boogersburg School.
Apple Blossom Festival
Celebrate spring with the Apple Blossom Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Way Fruit Farm, 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, Port Matilda. Enjoy wagon rides, children’s story time, local country artist Joe Quick, food and more. See the schedule here.
Wine and Cupcakes
Mt. Nittany Vineyard and Winery, 300 Houser Road, Centre Hall, will offer complimentary cupcakes and wine tasting, plus free wine glasses for moms, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Fun Fair at Friends School
State College Friends School, 1900 University Drive, hosts a family-oriented day of games, prizes, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and animal friends, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Admission is free, with game and food tickets available at the door. Proceeds benefit the school’s scholarship fund. Best suited for families with children 3 to 12.
Big Spring Festival
A celebration of Spring Creek and mothers, the Big Spring Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, features the Adam Swartz puppet show from 11 to noon and the Dan & Galla Musical Show from 2 to 4 p.m. Take photos in the Blue & White photo booth, hop on a speeder train and check out games and activities, vendors, potting plants for mom and face painting. Food from several vendors will be available.
J.A.M. Fest
Listen to live music and explore creative activities and experiences at the Jana Marie Foundation’s J.A.M Fest from noon to 5 p.m. on South Allen Street. Artwork will be displayed in storefront windows and all activities will help increase well-being, build connections and foster self-expression.
Music from India
Enjoy music and learn new songs as they’re performed by young musicians who call State College home and also stay connected to their Indian heritage, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Schlow Centre Region Library‘s Downsbrough Community Room.
Mother’s Day Storytime
Barnes & Noble, 365 Benner Pike, hosts a special Mother’s Day Storytime, beginning at 11 a.m. and featuring ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ and ‘Everything Is Mama.’
Metropolitan Opera HD
The State Theatre presents the Metropolitan HD broadcast of Massenet’s enchanting opera ‘Cendrillon,’ based on ‘Cinderella,’ at 12:55 p.m.
Victoria Vox
With songwriting that uses a unique palette of sounds and beats that delight audiences of all ages, Victoria Vox has taken the artful sound of the ukulele into eclectic new directions. Vox will perform a free family concert (donation to the artist suggested) from 1:30-2:15 p.m. at State College Presbyterian Church 132 W. Beaver Ave., followed by an Acoustic Brew show ($16) at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Well-Being, 123 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont.
SUNDAY
State College Culture Crawl
A new monthly festival in downtown State College debuts from 1 to 7 p.m. on Calder Way and South Allen Street. The State College Culture Crawl will showcase artists while featuring artisan vendors and live music, with special events at sidewalk sales at participating stores. Several eateries, including Hotel State College establishments, also will have drink and dinner specials.
Mother’s Day Concert
State College Municipal Band performs its annual Mother’s Day Concert at 3 p.m. in the Mount Nittany Middle School Auditorium. Treat mom to a special outing, and honor director Ned Deihl, who will be conducting his last concert after 22 years leading the municipal band and nearly six decades as a band director.
