As what is annually festival weekend in Centre County began, downtown State College didn’t look the same as it normally does this time of year after COVID-19 and the extensive planning that goes into such a large undertaking forced the Central Pennsylvania of the Arts to be mostly virtual.
While there are still a number of events happening this weekend, including live performances, the streets seem a bit bare.
In lieu of an in-person Arts Fest downtown and the canceled People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg, Way Fruit Farm in Port Matilda is branching out with “Art in the Orchard,” a three-day festival taking place through Saturday and one of several new events that have popped up around the area this year to fill the festival void
Co-owner Jason Coopey said the new event transpired after local festivals fell through due to the pandemic.
“These poor artists haven’t been able to make any money in a long time and given how much has changed since last year and this year, I just thought we could do it safely this year,” Coopey said recently. “And I thought the artists could use the economic benefit of having something to do.”
The artist weren’t the only ones enjoying the event. More than a dozen food trucks and vendors were welcomed to participate as well.
Without events festivals and carnivals, some of these businesses have struggled in the past year. Local eats such as Snyder’s Concessions, Scott’s Roasting, Sunset Slushies, and more were present at Way Fruit Farm to keep folks from going hungry.
“I just felt bad, because COVID has been hard on everybody, and especially most small businesses; the businesses that survived this and did really well were the Amazons and the Walmarts and things like that,” Coopey said. “The ones that have taken and bore the brunt of it are a lot of the smaller food trucks that used to go to carnivals, the artists that did these shows…”
“Art in the Orchard” features local bands performing all weekend long, including The Extra Miles, Queen Blue, Velveeta and more.
When they said “Art in the Orchard,” they really meant it. Tents for about 70 artists and crafter were literally set up throughout the fields between apple trees and corn. .
“Art in the Orchard” continues 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at Way Fruit Farm, 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road. For the full lineup of events, artists, food vendors, and performances, visit the festival’s website.
