LION Bash Block Party Aims to Foster Community Connections

Attendees walk on South Allen Street during the 2019 LION Bash. The annual community resource fair and block party returns for 2021 on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Downtown State College will be filled with food, entertainment and opportunities to learn about getting involved with the local community on Thursday.

The annual Living In One Neighborhood (LION) Bash will take place from 5-8 p.m. on the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of South Allen Street, according to a borough news release.

Hosted by State College Borough and Penn State, the event is a combination of a community resource fair and a block party for students and long-term residents to learn more about the community.

More than 130 organizations and clubs will have engagement stations, with businesses, nonprofits and student groups providing information about ways to get involved.

Entertainment will include performances by Eric Ian Farmer and Ady Martínez, African Drums & Dance, Mary Anne Cleary and the Nittany Knights Barbershop Chorus on the Mayor Welch Plaza at the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St.

Other entertainment will feature balloon art from Nittany Balloons, HoopSkate (a combination of hula hooping and artistic rollerskating) by visual art instructor Bethany Seib, and Chip Mock Caricatures.

Food vendors will include Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon & Carvel, Brazilian Munchies, Canyon Pizza, Sunset Slush Happy Valley and Rebelz Mobile Cuisine.

A LION Bash balloon backdrop on Mayor Welch Plaza will offer an opportunity to participate in an Instagram photo contest. Attendees can follow the borough’s Instagram account (@statecollegepa), take a photo in front of the back drop and tag the borough account or use the hashtag #LIONbash2021 for a chance to win a $50 Downtown State College Gift Card.

Because of the high level of COVID-19 transmission in Centre County, the borough is requiring that LION Bash attendees, volunteers and vendors wear masks.