By ELANA LAING
Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
CENTRE COUNTY — The outdoors is calling, and Happy Valley’s unique agricultural destinations have just the right seasonal events to enjoy being outside this summer — refreshing and delicious treats complementing the warm sun, farm visits, u-pick floral adventures, festivals and agricultural-themed summer camps are sun-sational ways to spend your time in Happy Valley.
SATURDAY SAMPLINGS
For the grill masters, mixologists and home chefs, the Tait Farm Harvest Shop — 179 Tait Road, Centre Hall — offers weekly tastings featuring some of the 65+ award-winning products produced by Tait Farm Foods. Tait Farm also provides easy-to-make seasonal recipes for use at home. Check out the summer schedule:
- June 7 — Sizzling recipe ideas
It’s grilling season! Tait Farm will be serving all three of its grill sauces to compare and taste ahead of Father’s Day weekend. - June 14 — The heat is on!
With a line-up of mustards that is beyond ordinary, Tait Farm will be sampling them all alongside Pennsylvania-made Hammonds pretzels. - June 21 — Tropical summer
An ensemble of items made with tropical pineapple and mango will be served as a simple appetizer idea for entertaining this summer. - June 28 — Fourth of July desserts
Summer berry compote is a longtime Tait Farm Shrub recipe favorite. It will be served atop cheesecake bites for a yummy holiday dessert idea.
ART IN THE ORCHARD
On Thursday, July 10 through Saturday, July 12, visit Way Fruit Farm for the fifth annual Art in the Orchard event. Bring the whole family and enjoy unique artists and crafters set up around the farm grounds. Enjoy food trucks and vendors offering scrumptious eats, drinks and desserts… and festive live music too.
FLOWER POWER
If you don’t have a green thumb but still want to get in on the fun-on-the-farm action, Rooted Farmstead — 138 Scott Ave., Bellefonte — is the perfect place to go. Specializing in community connections through its seasonal markets, the fresh cut flower farm is hosting its annual Summer Night Market from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26.
Dozens of local artisan vendors will welcome guests by showcasing their incredible talents and products. You can expect delicious food, refreshing beverages, live music and family-friendly activities. Visitors can also stroll through the flower fields and snip their favorites to create their own unique bouquets or floral arrangements. Rooted Farmstead’s pick-your-own days are open to the public and start mid-July from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More pick-your-own flowers can be found at Blooming Petals Flower Farm, 1863 Nittany Valley Drive in Bellefonte, near the village of Hublersburg. Visitors will find more than two dozen types of flowers, filler flowers and greenery, with attention given to a broad spectrum of colors and options that have a long vase life.
Happy Valley Lavender Farm will hold its open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22 through Thursday, July 3. Admission is $5 (children under six are free) and includes a tour of the lovely purple fields at 3730 W. College Ave, State College. The barn store will be open as well.
WINDERMERE FARMS OPEN HOUSE
Open to the public for only one day out of the year, Windermere Farm’s Open House will showcase its world renowned and award-winning Percheron horses. Visitors to the farm at 184 Allebach Lane, Spring Mills, can enjoy the style and flair of their Percheron mares and stallions, local vendors and concessions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Be sure to stop by the Happy Valley Agventures booth for more “fun on the farm” inspiration.
LEARNING FUN
Farm day camps are another way for youth to enjoy their summer in Happy Valley.
At Haven Valley Homestead, campers can enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, Bible lessons, horse rides, archery, farm games, animal time, hay wagon rides, hiking, nature lessons and more. Haven Valley is a small sustainable homestead at 130 Big Elm Lane, Spring Mills.
The Mini Whinnies at Quarter Acre Woodnear Port Matildahosts a Little Cowboys & Cowgirls MINI Camp on Friday, July 11, for children four to six. While one adult is required to stay at the barn in case their little cowboy or cowgirl needs assistance, they get to watch their campers learn introductory riding skills and play mini horse games and activities. Campers will also earn “pony bucks” to cash in for a prize. Registration closes Monday, June 30 or when full.
Wasson Farm’s popular summer camps are full but be sure to keep that option in mind for next year.
No matter what your summer fun preferences, there are so many local activities to enjoy. An initiative of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Happy Valley Agventures invites the community to visit these — and MORE — summer events on the farm, helping to support local agricultural businesses in Happy Valley while having unforgettable experiences.
Elana Laing is a rising senior in the Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University and the summer PR intern for The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
