Fourth of July Festivities and More Highlight Centre County Weekend

Fourth of July weekend is upon us and there are plenty of ways to celebrate around Centre County.

From a parade in Bellefonte to 4th Fest at Medlar Field, fireworks and more festivities throughout the weekend, there’s much to see and do. You’ll also find concerts, a free outdoor movie, First Friday fun and more. Here are some of the highlights.

FIRST FRIDAY
Various locations, Downtown State College

The Downtown State College Improvement District’s monthly celebration features music, art, food shopping and more. Raven and the Wren play from noon to 2 p.m. at the Farmers Market on Locust Lane and Mellow Honey performs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the MLK Plaza stage, 100 block of Fraser Street. The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., continues its Silent Film Series by featuring short films starring Harold Lloyd. And Arts Fest staff and volunteers will be giving out free dishes of Penn State Berkey Creamery’s special new Festival Fudge flavor from 5 to 7 p.m. outside Schlow Library on the corner of East Beaver Avenue and South Allen Street

Cap off the evening with a free showing of Disney’s “Encanto” at 8:45 p.m. in Sidney Friedman Park, 241 S. Fraser St.

See the full First Friday schedule here.

STATE COLLEGE SPIKES VS. WEST VIRGINIA
6:35 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, University Park

The Spikes welcome the Black Bears for a three-game series that will feature plenty of fun on and off the field. Friday is Strangest Things Night, with a nod to the hit Netflix series, and will include Kids Run the Bases. Saturday is Bark in the Park Night, letting fans bring their pooches to the game. Sunday is Military Appreciation Night and includes an appearance by “The Human Cannonball” David Smith Jr. as well as a postgame fireworks show. For all the promotions, tickets and Bark in the Park rules, visit statecollegespikes.com.

VILLAGE GREEN CONCERT
7:30-9 p.m., Friday
Lemont Village Green, 133 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont

The Lemont Village Association continues its annual summer music series with a performance by Chris Kent and ice cream cones provided by Scout Troop 367. Concerts are free but donations for renovations to the Granary are welcomed.

LOGAN FIRE COMPANY INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
5 p.m., Saturday
Bellefonte

The parade steps off at Bellefonte Area High School and concludes at Talleyrand Park, with more than 10,000 pieces of candy to be tossed to onlookers along the way. After the parade, the park will host food vendors, an awards ceremony, and a concert by the Bellefonte High School Band and the Keystone Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps.

CENTRED OUTDOORS AT RHONEYMEADE
1 and 3 p.m., Sunday
Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden, 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall

Centred Outdoors heads to the historic homestead of Grange Fair founder Leonard Rhone for guided, 2-mile hikes at 1 and 3 p.m. around the 150-acre working farm using the new public hiking trail through the wooded Labyrinth Loop. Multiple wellness activities also will be offered, including outdoor Qi-Yoga, nature weaving, leaf rubbings and creating a community nature mandala.

AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION CONCERT
3-4:30 p.m., Sunday
Mount Nittany Elementary School, 700 Brandywine Drive, State College

Join the Bellefonte Community Band and the State College Area Municipal Band for an afternoon of American classics to celebrate Independence Day. The program will feature selections from composers including Irving Berlin and John Phillip Sousa, as well as modern renditions of patriotic songs like “America, the Beautiful” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Bring a chair or blankets for this free outdoor concert. Visit bellefonteband.net for cancelation information in the event of inclement weather.

JULIAN FIREWORKS AND BLOCK PARTY
4 p.m., Sunday
659 Beaver Road, Julian

Hall’s hosts its 16th annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display. Food vendors, a DJ and more will be on site throughout the day. Personal grills and tailgating are permitted, but alcohol and personal fireworks are not allowed. Admission is $10 per car and carpooling is encouraged.

SUMMER MUSIC PICNIC SERIES
4-7:30 p.m., Sunday
South Hills School of Business and Technology North Lawn, 480 Waupelani Drive, State College

South Hills’ Summer Music Picnic Series continues with the Jay Vonada Quartet performing a free concert of blues, jazz and swing at 6 p.m. Grounds open at 4 p.m. for picnicking, with Brazilian Munchies food truck on site.

SUMMER SOUNDS FROM THE GAZEBO
7-8 p.m., Sunday
Talleyrand Park, 320 W. High St., Bellefonte

A staple of summers in Bellefonte for 40 years, the annual free concert series continues with acoustic rock duo Hops & Vines. Lawn chairs or blankets are suggested.

KIDS ON WHEELS PARADE
9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday
East Foster Avenue and Locust Lane, State College

Centre Region Parks and Recreation invites kids and families to bring their decorated bikes, scooters, strollers or wagons for the annual Fourth of July kids parade, starting at the corner of East Foster Avenue and Locust Lane and ending at Sidney Friedman Park. Lineup is at 9:30 a.m. and the parade starts at 10 a.m. Stick around after the parade for watermelon and parachute games in the park. (Stop by the lower pavilion at Holmes Foster Park between 7 and 8 p.m. on Sunday night to pick up red, white and blue streamers and tape for decorating before the parade.)

COLYER PARADE AND PICNIC
10 a.m., Monday
Colyer Lake, Lake Road, Centre Hall

Scenic Colyer Lake provides the setting for the Colyer community’s parade to kick off Independence Day. The parade starts at the south end boat launch on Lake Road and will be followed by a picnic at 314 High Street. Picnic attendees should bring a covered dish. Hot dogs, pulled pork, rolls and water will be provided.

CENTRAL PA 4TH FEST
4 p.m., Monday
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, University Park

Gates open for the ticketed event at 4 p.m. and a variety of food and beverage concessions will be available until 9 p.m. Popular local bands Joy Marie & The Gill Street Band and Velveeta will hit the stage at 4 and 5:30 p.m., before the headliners, Jersey shore rock veterans Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, play at 7:30 p.m. “The Human Cannonball” David Smith Jr. will fly through the air at 9:25 p.m., then the big choreographed fireworks show will light up the sky at 9:30 p.m. Throughout the evening there also will be an array of kids activities and fun for the whole family.

Tickets start at $15, with four-packs starting at $40.

Parking is available in the Jordan East, Stadium West and Porter North lots, with the cost included in 4th Fest tickets. Parking for those without tickets who want to watch the fireworks from the lots will be available after 7 p.m. at a cost of $10 (free with a valid Penn State parking permit). No tailgating is permitted.