Free Outdoor Movies Coming to Downtown State College

The Downtown State College Improvement District will host three free outdoor family movie nights this summer, the organization announced this week.

“Downtown Family Flicks” will be held starting at dusk on Tuesdays July 20, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10 in the PNC bank parking on East Calder Way between South Allen and South Pugh streets. State College Borough Council approved closing the block to traffic from 8-11 each of those nights.

Refreshments will be available for purchase and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

The lineup includes:

July 20 – “Tom and Jerry” (2021)
Aug. 3 – “Bedtime Stories”
Aug. 10 – “The Secret Life of Pets”

Lee Anne Jeffries, executive director of the DSCID, said in a statement the goal is to provide an opportunity for families to “enjoy a fun family evening in an unexpected place with new experiences around the corner.”

The free movies are made possible by a sponsorship from PNC Bank and in partnership with Centre Region Parks and Recreation.

“Downtown Family Flicks” is an extension of Calder WalkWay, another new DSCID initiative this summer to bring community members and visitors downtown. Calder WalkWay will feature a “dynamic lighting attraction” along the alley between South Fraser and South Pugh streets. Starting this week, that stretch of Calder Way also will become a part-time pedestrian mall from 6-11 p.m. every Thursday through Saturday, with entertainment, activities, children’s games, public art and a community vegetable garden.

Another new DSCID event this summer is “Live After 5,” a concert series featuring top local bands at 5:15 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 9 on the stage at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on South Fraser Street.

First Friday, the monthly celebration of the downtown’s art, music, food and shopping, also returned this month and will be held again starting at 5 p.m. on Aug. 6.

To volunteer to help with the Calder WalkWayproject, contact Jeffries at 814-238-7004.