Updated 5:10 p.m. on July 8, 2021.
For the second year in a row, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is a (mostly) virtual event. The People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg and Philipsburg Heritage Days are once again canceled.
Those festivals have become a summertime tradition, drawing well over 100,000 visitors over the same extended weekend each July. But with the extensive planning required to put on festivals of their size and the uncertainty months ago surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, they will have to wait another year before returning to their full in-person glory.
But unlike in 2020, several new festivals have emerged to fill the void, and along with some returning events and an in-person element for Arts Fest, this weekend will once again be buzzing with activity throughout the county.
Here’s a look at the new and returning events and some other fun activities that will fill the weekend schedule, starting today (July 8).
Art in the Orchard
Way Fruit Farm, 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, Port Matilda
Thursday, July 8, through Saturday, July 10
The inaugural Art in the Orchard at Way Fruit Farm will host 60 artists, 15 food trucks and nine musical acts over three days. Arts and crafts vendors — some of whom are regulars at People’s Choice — will be situated among the farm’s orchard rows. Food vendors will offer everything from barbecue to ice cream to specialty coffee. And bands ranging from rock to country to bluegrass and more will play on a stage in one of the farm’s open fields.
Admission is free, but Way Fruit Farm is using the event as a kick off for a newly-formed nonprofit, A Way to Help.
Hours are noon-7 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
For music schedules, lists of artists and vendors and more visit wayfruitfarm.com/artintheorchard.
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
Thursday, July 8, through Sunday, July 11
Typically State College’s biggest summer event, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts takes on a hybrid format this year. The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, juried gallery exhibition “Images 2021,” and Young Artists Gallery will all be online at arts-festival.com.
“When people ask me how they can help the Festival, I tell them to shop at our Sidewalk Sale artists”, festival director Rick Bryant said. “Each participating artist is a small business person trying to navigate the end of the pandemic that had a devastating effect on their livelihoods. If we want to see artists in State College in the summer of 2022, support them now.”
The festival will, however, present 10 in-person concerts from Thursday through Saturday at State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave. A poetry reading will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave., and one other musical performance, Philadelphia-based The River Drivers, will be live-streamed only.
Admission for ages 12 and older requires a $10 wristband (instead of the traditional festival button), which is good for all three days and can be purchased at the door or in advance at the festival office, 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A.
Seating is limited to 250 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Wristbands do not guarantee admission.
Performances also will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
See the full schedule at arts-festival.com/performances.
Live After 5
Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, 100 block of South Fraser Street, State College
Update: This week’s performance by Anchor & Arrow has been postponed until Sept. 16 because of rain. Live After 5 is scheduled to return on July 15 with the Donny Burns Duo.
Every Thursday through Sept. 9, Downtown State College Improvement District is hosting the Live After 5 concert series, with top local bands performing from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. on the stage at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on South Fraser Street.
WingFest
5:30-10 p.m., Thursday, July 8
Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg
A summer tradition that’s returned this year after a hiatus in 2020, Tussey Mountain’s WingFest is back for week 2 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is $10 for adults 18 and up and $5 for children 7 to 17 (children 6 and under are admitted free). Purchase tickets inside the amphitheater for all food and beverage at $1 per ticke
Quarterstick takes the amphitheater stage at 6 p.m. followed by headlining Van Halen tribute band Completely Unchained at 8 p.m.
This week’s competing restaurants looking to advance to the Aug. 12 final and be crowned Wing King are defending champion The Wilderness Lodge, URBN Flavourhaus and Edges Pub.
For more information, visit tusseymountain.com/wingfest.
Free Movie in the Park
Tudek Park, 400 Herman Drive, State College
Update: The movie in the park scheduled for Thursday evening has been canceled because of rain. The next outdoor movie hosted by Centre Region Parks and Recreation and WPSU at Tudek Park will by “Wild Kratts: Cats and Dogs” on July 22.
For registration details, visit crpr.org/special-events.
Millheim WalkFest of of Arts & Music
Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11
Millheim, various locations
The inaugural Millheim WalkFest of Arts & Music will bring 40 arts and craft vendors, six music stages and a variety of food trucks to the Penns Valley borough Friday through Sunday.
Attendees can expect to find artists of the “caliber” typically found at People’s Choice and Arts Fest, along with a few unique artists. Main music stages will be located on the Millheim Fire Company grounds and at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park, also home of The Millheim Pool, which will be open during the event. Smaller music stages will be set up at other locations in town. Nearly 30 acts are scheduled to play throughout the weekend.
Since parking is limited in town, a shuttle will be provided to transport people from parking locations on the edge of the community.
Hours for the event are 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 11.
The event will also be working to help support the community as many businesses will be accepting donations for East Penns Valley Library, Millheim Pool and Millheim Fire Company.
For artist and band lineups, and a festival map, visit millheimwalkfest.com
Titan’s Art Festival
Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10
2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Titan Market in Bellefonte will host a two-day Titan’s Art Festival on Friday and Saturday with local vendors, artists, crafters and music.
Attendees will find wide variety of locally made art, unique gifts and decor, as well as local produce, meats and baked goods. The event also will feature a Young Artist Block for youth to display and sell their art.
Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday.
For more on the market and the festival, visit titanmarketbellefonte.com.
Artists’ Summer Market
Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10
The Gallery Shop, 821 Pike Street, Lemont
The Gallery Shop in Lemont will host its annual Artists’ Summer Market from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The event features indoor and outdoor artist booths, demonstrations and an opportunity to meet the artists.
For more information, visit facebook.com/galleryshop.
Concert on the Village Green
7:30-9 p.m., Friday, July 9
Village Green, 133 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont
Lemont Village Associations’s annual summer Friday night concert series continues with classic rockers Twin Reverb performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the Village Green. Brazilian Munchies food truck will be on hand from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Philipsburg Fest
Saturday, July 10
Philipsburg, various locations
The first Philipsburg Fest, being held because of the cancelation of Heritage Days, will kick off with the inaugural Wilderness City 5K at 9 a.m. starting at Cold Stream Dam. From 1 to 5 p.m., a cruise-in will be held on Front Street.
We Are Inn will have food and beverage tents throughout the day. Penn State legends will appear in person and on Zoom throughout the day at the Inn as part of the Happy Valley Cruise fundraising event for the Hope Gala and Zero Tolerance will perform starting at 7 p.m.
Fireworks over Cold Stream Dam will begin after 9:30 p.m.
Capping things off, Grammy-winning rapper Coolio will perform at We Are Inn. General admission and VIP tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Antique, Art, & Craft Fair
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11
Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg
The annual antique show and sale Saturday and Sunday at Boal Mansion Museum will showcase vendors from near and far. With local berries available you’ll also a great time to try delicious foods like fresh blueberry milkshakes.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special museum tours will be given each day.
Visit the fair’s Facebook Event page for more info.
At 7 p.m. on Sunday, the Acoustic Brew concert series continues at the Boal Amphitheater with Van Wagner. Tickets for the concert are $15 and are available at acousticbrew.org.
Car & Bike Show
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, July 10
American Legion Post 245, 1950 Pine Hall Road, State College
American Legion Post 245 hosts its sixth annual car and bike show from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Vote for your favorite or bring your ride to show for a $20 registration.between 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The first 50 registered get a free dash plaque. Gift vendors will be on hand and food and drinks will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit local veterans programs.
Free Movie in the Park
8 p.m., Saturday, July 10
Talleyrand Park, West High Street, Bellefonte
The free outdoor movie series sponsored by the Bellefonte Woman’s Club continues at 8 p.m. on Saturday with “Dolittle” (2020). Food will be available for purchase. Bring chairs, blankets, flashlights and money for snacks.
Summer Sounds from the Gazebo
7 p.m., Sunday, July 11
Talleyrand Park, West High Street, Bellefonte
A Bellefonte summer tradition, Summer Sounds from the Gazebo in Talleyrand Park continues with free concerts every Sunday through Aug. 8. This week local favorite Tommy Wareham takes the stage.
Get the Led Out
8 p.m., Sunday, July 11
The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College
The State Theatre hosts its first touring act since before the start of the pandemic when veteran, Philadelphia-based Led Zeppelin tribute act Get the Led Out takes the stage at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Only overflow general admission tickets are available as of this writing.
Vincent Corso, Teresa Mull and Holly Riddle contributed to this report.
