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Index of Articles Index of Partners
Exclusive Q&A: Senior Quarterback Trace McSorley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Exclusive: Franklin on Living in State College, McSorley and Fan Support. . . . . . . . 9 Nittany Lions Looking to be Road Warriors in 2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Homecoming on the Horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Five Impact Questions for the 2018 Football Season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Breakout Players Set to Help Catapult Nittany Lions’ Offense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Key Factors (for Opponents) Outlined for 2018 Season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Stakes are High for Team Captain Nick Scott. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The Perfect Tailgate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Game Day Traditions We Love: TOP 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Almost Here: What You Need to Know about the Festival of the Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Happy Valley Festival Lineup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Tussey Owns Fun This Summer: Bluegrass, Wingfest, Movies and More . . . . . . . . 37 Family Favorites in Happy Valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Next Stop: Boalsburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Sun’s Out: Five Outdoor Getaways for Your Bucket List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 New in Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Summer at The Inn: Tapas, Tight Lines and T‑bones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Tap Takeovers, Brunches and Burgers at The Penn Stater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Seasonal Food Favorites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Cool Down in the Inferno This Summer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Award‑Winning Wines and Brews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Local B&Bs and Lodges Offer the Perfect Weekend Getaway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 State College Spikes Set for an All‑Star Summer.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Atherton Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 A Basket Full. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Bear Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Belinda's Port Matilda Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Blue White Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Center for the Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. . . . 31 Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife . . . . . . . . . . 72 Dutch Fall Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Earlystown Manor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Fort Roberdeau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Gage Mansion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Happy Valley Hotels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Huntington County Visitors Bureau. . . . . . . . . 43 Hublersburg Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Inn at Solvang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Kimchi Korean Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kingview Mead & Hungry Run Wine & Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Maine Bay and Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Nittany Antique Machinery Association, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 North Atherton Farmers Market. . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Our Fair Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Pappy Chuck's Candy Shoppe . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 PA Military Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Penn State Homecoming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 13 Penn State Hospitality (Penn Stater / Nittany Lion Inn). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49, 50, 51 Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The Queen B&B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Ridge Soaring Gliderport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Riffles and Runs B&B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Seven Mountains Wine Cellars . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 State College Spikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 70, 71 Taste of the Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Taste Buds Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Texas Roadhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 TriYoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Tussey Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 WPSU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Publisher Greg Woodman Editor | Jodie Dello Stritto Account Executive | Lois Wolfe Managing Editor | Rachel Bishop Fun Guide Managing Editor Cara Aungst Copy Editing Leah Grubb, Holly Riddle Editorial Contributors Cara Aungst, Ryan Brocco, Jeff Cavanaugh, Katie DeFiore, Leah Grubb, Rebecca Masser, Chris Morelli, Holly Riddle, John Patishnock, Ryan Salamo Graphic Design & Production Melissa Hombosky Cover by Bill Brickley. Photo by Tim Weight Videographers Tyler Kleinle John Patishnock Twitter Manager Nate Woodman HappyValley.com 2160 Sandy Drive, Suite D, State College, PA 814‑867‑6700
Designed and produced by Affinity Connection, Inc. affinityconnection.com 2160 Sandy Drive, Suite D, State College, PA 16803; 814‑237‑0481, 800‑598‑4050
HappyValley.com is the comprehensive guide to fun, food, sports and events in the beautiful Happy Valley region. To advertise, contact Greg@affinityconnection.com; 800‑598‑4050, ext. 131. To submit content, contact rachel@affinityconnection.com. Powered by Affinity Connection, Inc. affinityconnection.com, 2160 Sandy Drive, Suite D, State College, PA 16803; 814‑237‑0481, 800‑598‑4050.
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All photos this page courtesy of Tim Weight
From the Publisher The word why has become one of my favorite words. I’ve taught Entrepreneurial Leadership at Penn State since 2006, and the first thing my students learn is my mantra of determining the why, what and how of business. Why is the vision. What is the management style. How is the specialist who gets it done. In my years of serving Penn State alums, it’s been all about the why. You see, why is about love, and motivation and vision. Once you figure out your why, everything else is easy. Take the Michigan game last fall, for instance. That was the perfect why. My house was full of my out-of-state siblings, niece and nephews. We tailgated with some former players, then went into the stadium. I sat with my son in a sea of white and sang Sweet Caroline, listened to the Blue Band, and watched Saquon make that glorious long run to beat Harbaugh. The fireworks lit up the night sky. That’s the why. It’s the dopamine and how it makes us all feel.
Greg and Anita Woodman with their sons (L-R) Nate, Brad and Joe at the top of Mount Nittany.
I found my why in 1978 when I was a student here, and I’ve spent the few decades enjoying the how. I just realized that from selling my first T-shirt in 1978 to publishing the National Championship Yearbook, creating “Stand up Joe,” the iconic “Are you a Penn Stater” guidebook and now this, the Penn State Football Preview, I’ve spent 40 years promoting this contagious, uniquely Penn State why. In this guide, we are teaming up with local businesses who get the why. They live it every day, creating experiences, accommodations, food and fun that transform your Happy Valley stays. You will find farm fresh foods will be making headlines at places like The Deli Restaurant and PA on the Patio at The Nittany Lion Inn. Festivals light up the summer — 4th Fest, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, People’s Choice and WingFest. Drive a few minutes outside of town and you are a world away — in a place where you can bike, kayak, swim and explore until your heart’s content! You can find our Summer Preview starting on page 28. It’s a great way to spend the summer while you are counting down to the seven home games this fall. We bleed blue and white right along with you — check out our interview with McSorley, find out what our opponents are bringing to the table, and the best brews in Champaign, just in case you feel like traveling with our road warriors. Find our Football Preview, starting on the next page! We hope you enjoy this analog version of our website. There’s more at HappyValley.com. From hype reels of your favorite games to best seasonal dishes to up-to-the-minute details about this summer’s events, we’ve got you covered. See you around campus,
Greg Woodman ’83 Publisher, Happyvalley.com
2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Exclusive Q&A:
Senior Quarterback Trace McSorley By John Patishnock Gone from last season’s 11‑win team and Fiesta Bowl champions are a ton of talent, leadership and offensive production. Those three qualities are also in abundance for this year’s Penn State football team, most notably in senior quarterback Trace 6
McSorley. The two‑time captain has entrenched himself as the leader of the Nittany Lions, a Heisman Trophy candidate and also a role within (and beyond) the State College community. Learn how he’s approaching his senior season, how he’s prepared to lead the offense, his thoughts on the Heisman Trophy and a whole lot more in our exclusive Q&A. HappyValley.com: Does this offseason feel differently for you knowing that you’re going into your senior season? Trace McSorley: It honestly doesn’t feel different. The only thing I would say would be a little bit different, is there’s a little more sense of urgency with it being my last year. I think it’s also the fact that we’ve got to bring a lot of new guys up to speed. I think that sense of urgency with wanting to bring those guys up, combined with it being the last year, creates a heightened sense of urgency and a drive and determination to make sure every day you’re
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 really focused on doing extra work on the field and extra work in the film room.
Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Marcus, or Jason, because they were our natural leaders anyway, so whether they had the captain title or not, people were going to follow them and listen to them. I think this year, Nick and I are coming back as returning captains and then we’ve got Blake, so there aren’t as many captains that we have right now — obviously, we’re probably going to get some more coming into the fall — but right now, having that two‑time captain label is just a big honor. It’s a responsibility knowing that however I carry myself, it’s going to be portrayed as the view of the entire team. If I’m not holding myself to the highest standard, then I can’t expect other people to be doing that, because I’m the captain, and I’m a two‑time captain. HV: Last year, you were a Heisman Trophy candidate, and that’ll continue this season. Do you have the mindset of you try to block that out because it’s a distraction, or do you use that as motivation? McSorley: Honestly, I say a little bit of both. Obviously, it’s a great honor, and it’s something that at the end of the year, I’d love to be in that conversation and love to be in New York, but if you think
HV: Can you compare yourself now, to when you first got to the program? What are the biggest differences for you and how have you changed as a player? McSorley: The biggest evolvement I’ve had is from a leadership standpoint. From when I stepped on campus until now, becoming more vocal, more confident in my ability to call someone out and be the leader of the team. Stepping on as a freshman, you’re not going to be doing that, so I think growing into the position I’m at now, that’s been a big difference. I just feel a lot more confident in my physical ability. Things just kind of happen as a reaction now, as opposed to having to calculate things out. Now, when I’m getting into a drop, I’m so used to seeing defenses and coverages that it’s almost like muscle memory, in the sense that I know my footwork. It’s just taking it and getting it out or making a move, getting out of the pocket. A lot of those things have come a lot more naturally as I’ve grown and become older. HV: Being a two‑time captain, what does it mean when teammates look to you and see you as a leader? McSorley: It has a big impact. Obviously, being a two‑year captain at a program like Penn State, with the tradition and the history that we have here, it’s definitely a huge honor. It’s something that doesn’t necessarily happen all the time, so to be in that light is a big responsibility on me. Last year, we had eight captains and a bunch of them were guys going into their last year who had been here for years. It was easy to defer some things to Saquon, or
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW about it too much, it will become a distraction. So you’ve got to end up blocking it out, and I’ve always kind of thought you look at awards like the Heisman or those types of individual awards, they usually end up being given to the best player in that position on the best team. So, I think that’s where you get the team to be as good as it can be and all that other stuff will fall into place; and if it does, great, but if it doesn’t, your team is winning and your team’s at the top. At the end of the day, that’s what’s more important. Hopefully, we can get the team to be in that top position toward the end of the year, and that kind of stuff can fall into place. HV: Looking at Offensive Coordinator Ricky Rahne, how big of an impact has he had on your development as a quarterback and on your college experience? McSorley: He’s had a really big impact. The first two years, he was instrumental in me learning about college football and the college
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football game, what I needed to do to be able to translate what I did in high school to be successful at this level. And then the last couple of years with Coach Moorhead being here, he was our tight ends coach but he was still someone who I could go talk to, and be able to ask questions, whether it be about football or outside of football. He was someone who, he was always there, and I think that’s been instrumental for me from a development aspect outside of football, just kind of growing up and getting older and becoming a man. It’s being able to grow in different areas, other than the football field. Then going back as our coordinator this past year, he’s definitely got a big chip on his shoulder, and I think it’s kind of the perfect mindset for what we need as an offense right now. HV: How would you describe what it’s like to play in Coach Franklin’s program, and what’s stood out to you the most during your time at Penn State?
Exclusive: McSorley: Going through, from the time when I was a freshman until now, I saw with Coach Franklin how he runs his program, he’s very regimented. You know exactly how winter workouts are going to be, you know exactly how spring ball and the summer, and how going into the season will be. I think as you grow older, you realize how much he cares and how much he does for the program, and how much more he wants to do. He’s never settling, there’s always something in the building, whether it’s a staff thing, player development or whatever it is. There’s always something that he’s working to make it be as good as it can be, and he’s been open to some changes in our program. He’s always doing something to give us the best experience we can have and make us be the most comfortable. I think that everyone hears him say how much he cares, and I think a lot of it is just, “OK, this is him talking, this is what he’s saying,” but being in the program for five years, you realize that it’s not just him talking. He actually believes that and he’s actually doing everything he can to give us, the players, our best experience, on top of obviously winning as many games as possible. HV: You’re a visible guy around the university and community. Do you see yourself as a role model, do you want to be a role model, and is that something that’s impacted your experience as a student‑athlete? McSorley: It definitely has. I want to be a role model, I want to be someone that young kids can look up to and their parents can be proud, “My son or daughter really likes McSorley, he’s a role model to them.” Being able to be a good role model for kids in my hometown or kids around here, it’s definitely humbling when someone will come up to you and say, “Thank you for everything you do, we love what you do and how you carry yourself.” For me, that’s protecting my family name, and I’ve always been,“Protect your program, protect your faith and protect your family. Never do anything to embarrass them, and always carry my last name and my family in the right light.” It’s something that I’ve always taken great pride in. It’s definitely humbling when you get those opportunities and people come up to you and thank you for the person you are, and not necessarily just the player.
Franklin on Living in State College, McSorley and Fan Support By John Patishnock An inventory of what James Franklin has recently accomplished as Penn State’s head coach would make an impressive career for most coaches. Big Ten championship. Fiesta Bowl victory. An appearance in one of the most iconic Rose Bowl games in history. Defeating the second-ranked team in the country. Still, even after all that and totaling 22 wins the past two seasons, Franklin doesn’t spend a lot of time thinking about what’s been accomplished. He’s more focused on the future. That’s his style, and really, the vibe of the entire football program. New coaches have acJames Franklin at the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. climated well, Franklin said, Photo by John Patishnock and with Trace McSorley set to lead the team again — and be a Heisman Trophy candidate — there’s plenty for fans to look forward to this year. We sat down with Franklin, who discussed what makes McSorley an elite quarterback, the importance of waking up every day with a positive attitude and the impact of continued fan support. Franklin also shared thoughts on what he finds appealing about living in a college town, and why you don’t necessarily have to compromise on anything. He said, “Living in State College allows you to be the type of parent that you want to be. I can run over at lunchtime and have lunch with my daughter in between meetings, and get back, so it’s just been good.” Go to HappyValley.com to read his complete interview and find out what gives McSorley his edge, why he thinks Beaver Stadium is the best atmosphere in college football, and the importance of #OpportunityisNowHere. 9
2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
When “yinz” are in Pittsburgh, make sure to grab a Primanti Bros. sandwich and an ice cold IC Light!
Nittany Lions Looking to be Road Warriors in 2018 By Jeff Cavanaugh
On the heels of only the fifth back‑to‑back 11‑win seasons in program history, the Penn State Nittany Lions have returned to the rank of the college football powerhouses under head coach James Franklin.
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Last year, the Nittany Lions fell a mere four points short of a perfect season in back‑to‑back heartbreaking road losses to Ohio State and Michigan State. And while replacing all‑world running back Saquon Barkley and nine defensive starters is no small task, the Nittany Lions return Heisman‑hopeful quarterback Trace McSorley and a number of impact players on both sides of the ball that should keep the Nittany Lions near the top of the Big Ten. This season, the Nittany Lions will travel to five away games — thankfully, no back‑to‑back road games this season — and each one gives Penn State fans and alumni a chance to see different parts of the country. And whether you decide to go to Pittsburgh, Champaign or Ann Arbor, a Penn State trip is always a trip to remember. Here is a closer look at all of the 2018 Penn State away games:
SEPT. 8 – AT PITTSBURGH PANTHERS Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Connect with PSU Alums in Pittsburgh: psupgh.com
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 Place to Stay: Pittsburgh Marriott City Center ‑ marriott.com Only two years removed from a devastating early season loss that ended up keeping the 2016 Nittany Lions out of the College Football Playoff, the in‑state rivalry between Penn State and Pitt is still strong. And while fans still love the rivalry, there are only two more games scheduled in this series and there is no indication that Penn State is interested in keeping Pitt — a team that has won 10 games in a season only once in the past 35 years and does nothing to boost the strength of schedule — as an opponent for the foreseeable future. If you need another reason to go: Less than three hours west of State College, Pittsburgh is one of the most fun cities in the northeast and that is even more true when thousands of Penn State fans come to town. With the game time slated for 8 p.m., Penn State fans can plan to visit PNC Park on the other side of the river to catch a 1:05 p.m. game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins. And when “yinz” are in Pittsburgh, make sure to grab a Primanti Bros. sandwich and an ice cold IC Light!
SEPT. 21 – AT ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Ill. Connect with PSU Alums in Illinois: psuchicago.org Place to Stay: I Hotel and Conference Center ‑ stayatthei.com The only Penn State football game under Friday night lights in recent memory has the Nittany Lions traveling to Champaign, IL on Friday, September 21. The Fighting Illini were the only winless team in Big Ten games last season and they have only been above .500 in the Big Ten once in the past 15 years. It is going on four years since Illinois has scored a point against the Nittany Lions but they have not won at Illinois since 2012.
If you need another reason to go: In Central Pennsylvania, we have some of the best small and large craft breweries in the world — but it is always nice to see what the others are doing. Perhaps the best restaurant in Champaign is DESTIHL Photo courtesy DESTIHL Restaurant Restaurant & & Brew Works Brew Works. It features everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and seafood — but the real attraction is the variety and quality of beers from sours to IPAs and everything in between.
OCT. 20 – AT INDIANA HOOSIERS Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind. Connect with PSU Alums in Indiana: facebook.com/pennstateindiana Place to Stay: Grant Street Inn ‑ grantstinn.com The Nittany Lions have dropped nine of the past 10 meetings with the Indiana Hoosiers — oan the basketball court. On the football field, Penn State has won 20 of 21 meetings, including last year’s 45‑14 blowout of the overmatched Hoosiers. The Hoosiers brought in former Arizona starting quarterback, graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins who could breathe some life into their offense, but they still have a long way to go before they become a formidable Big Ten opponent.
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW On the Road Continued from page 11
Arbor’s best local breweries, restaurants, bookstores, and attractions. Pick one of their craft brew tours or give them a call and map out your own tour of downtown Ann Arbor!
If you need another reason to go: When anyone thinks of Bloomington and Indiana University, the first things that come to mind are Bobby Knight and basketball — but Bloomington has so much more to offer as an away trip destination. Bloomington has some of the best mountain and road biking in all of the Midwest and boasts numerous local craft breweries and wineries. And of course, if you want to get your basketball fix it is always a great idea to schedule a tour of Hoosiers’ Assembly Hall.
NOV. 17 – AT RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
NOV. 3 – AT MICHIGAN WOLVERINES Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich. Connect with PSU Alums in Michigan: facebook.com/psuofmichigan Place to Stay: Graduate Ann Arbor ‑ graduatehotels.com/ann‑arbor/ Undoubtedly the hottest ticket on Penn State’s 2018 away game schedule, every Nittany Lion fan needs to take a trip to the “Big House” once. The Nittany Lions have only won once at Michigan Stadium in the past 20 years and Photo courtesy High Five Pedal Tours this year’s Wolverines will be far improved from the team that was blown out at a Beaver Stadium white out game last October. The Wolverines have a difficult schedule — but will be coming off a bye week to host the Nittany Lions in what could be the defining game of Penn State’s 2018 season. If you need another reason to go: Ann Arbor has a diverse international food scene, with over 300 restaurants but while you’re in town, consider booking a tour on the 16‑person pedal trolley. High Five Pedal Tours takes you on a trip through some of Ann
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High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, N.J. Connect with PSU Alums in New Jersey: pennstatecnj.com/ Place to Stay: Hampton Inn North Brunswick ‑ hamptoninnnorth. guestreservations.com Since joining the Big Ten four seasons ago, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have scored only one touchdown in four games against the Nittany Lions. And coming off another four‑win season, they should not give Penn State any late‑season headaches. The Scarlet Knights have started to land some talent and can turn a corner if their offense finds the right quarterback. In the Big Ten, no game is a guaranteed win, but there is not a nicer way to end the season than playing Rutgers and Maryland. If you need another reason to go: Rutgers campus is located less than an hour away from New York City and the Nittany Lions are in town only a month from Christmas. A trip to the city for a Broadway show, a nice dinner and some holiday shopping after a big Penn State win can make the Rutgers game one of the most enticing road games of 2018 for those of us in Happy Valley.
Photo courtesy pennstatelive.com
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 Homecoming On the Horizon By Ryan Salamo, Penn State Homecoming Committee Public Relations Administrative Assistant There’s more to Homecoming than the parade. There are many events you have to look forward to leading up to that weekend. Right now, Homecoming is looking for alumni representatives from any campus for the Alumni Court, who will attend a court reception and have a feature in the parade, where they will be recognized for their accolades and accomplishments. Similar to 2017, this year’s Homecoming Week will kick off with another concert in collaboration with SPA on Sunday, October 7. The concert will be free and open to all students with a valid Penn State id+ card. The performer will be announced
closer to the date. Everyone’s favorite events will return to University Park this fall, but we are excited to reveal that Allen Street Jam will take the place of Pollock Party. Allen Street Jam will be a block party celebration with various food trucks, live performances and games outside along Allen Street. The event will take place on Allen Street between College Ave. and Beaver Ave. on October 8 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include a dance competition among Penn State dance groups. The Ice Cream Social will be held all day on Friday, October 12, preceding the parade. Members of the community will gather at the Hintz Family Alumni Center for games, prizes and, of course, free Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream and a topping bar. This will be a chance for the community to interact with alumni leading up to parade. If you think your tailgate during Homecoming weekend is going to be the best of the best, the Tailgate Competition is open and ready to register. On Saturday, October 13, during the hours leading up to the game against Michigan State, members of Penn State Homecoming will assess each participant’s tailgate for the different categories: Best Food, Most Creative, Most Spirited, Best Student Organization, Nittany Newcomer and Best Overall. The winner is revealed prior to the game and will receive prizes, banners and bragging rights. During halftime at the game, the Homecoming Executive Committee will be introduced, the courts will be presented and the two best students who embody Penn State’s core values and this year’s Homecoming theme will be chosen to receive the first ever Guide State Forward Award. You can nominate and register for all events mentioned on the Penn State Homecoming website, homecoming.psu.edu. We hope that you are as excited for these upcoming events as We Are. Enjoy the rest of your summer, mark your calendars and start packing to come home to Happy Valley. For updates, check out our new blog on our newly designed website, homecoming.psu.edu. You can also follow along with us on social media, Penn State Homecoming on Facebook and @ psuhomecoming on Instagram and Twitter!
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Five Impact Questions for the 2018 Football Season By John Patishnock Every team faces questions upon the beginning of fall camp and the regular season. With back‑to‑back 11‑win seasons, the questions facing Penn State are good ones. How can the Nittany Lions continue their re‑emergence onto the national college football landscape, and what factors will help determine this season’s performance? We take a look at five questions that’ll definitely have an impact, including looking ahead to the Big Ten championship to see if we envision Penn State planning a return trip to Indianapolis.
son in the back of the end zone. Still, plenty of talent returns, the result of great recruiting classes in recent years. Heralded recruit Miles Sanders finally gets his shot at being the go‑to running back, after the junior waited patiently as Barkley tore up defenses. Johnson should be an absolute beast in the Nittany Lions’ passing game, especially down the field. With his size — 6‑foot‑4, 229 pounds — it’s impossible to see any defender covering him one‑on‑one. He’s too fast for linebackers and too strong for defensive backs. Add in what should be an improved offensive line and additional playmakers in DeAndre Thompkins and Brandon Polk, and Penn State shouldn’t see much of a drop‑off from the 41 points per game the Nittany Lions averaged last year.
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Will Trace McSorley remain a strong Heisman Trophy candidate throughout the season? In a word: yes. The senior captain and undisputed leader of Penn State is already being touted as a Heisman Trophy contender, and as long as he produces and Penn State wins — both of which have happened ever since he became the starting quarterback — McSorley should garner close to the same level of attention that Barkley did last season. Speaking in late May, he said his approach is a combination
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How will Penn State’s offense remain formidable with key losses?
Gone to the NFL are Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki and DaeSean Hamilton, as the Nittany Lions will have to replace more than half of its receptions and receiving yardage production from last season. This says nothing of Barkley’s rushing, and his blocking, which sometimes went unnoticed with all of the electric plays he made. For one example, cue up the game‑winning touchdown against Iowa, and you’ll notice Barkley standing up a rusher in the backfield, allowing Trace McSorley to find Juwan John14
Photo courtesy Tim Weight
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 of using that award as motivation, while also not allowing it to overtake his approach. “It’s a great honor, and it’s something that at the end of the year, I’d love to be in that conversation and love to be in New York, but if you think about it too much, it will become a distraction,” McSorley said. “You look at awards like the Heisman, they usually end up being given to the best player in that position on the best team… Hopefully, we can get the team to be in that top position toward the end of the year, and that kind of stuff can fall into place.”
Added McSorley: “He’s been able to have all that talent that he came in with, and he’s able to build on it, get stronger, physically in the weight room, be able to get faster; he’s been able to learn the offense and what it’s like at this level. Now, he’s going to be able to put it all together, and just go out, and be able to play fast… I’m excited to see what he’s going to be able to bring to the table for us this year and the season he’s going to have.
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Despite Michigan’s prominence in preseason rankings and Michigan State’s potential to be a contender, this figures to (again) be a two‑team race between Penn State and Ohio State. The two teams clash in September at Beaver Stadium, and the winner will control its own fate the rest of the way. If Penn State can finish September undefeated, there’s a great chance that the Nittany Lions will make the Big Ten title game for the second time in three years. Penn State’s probable opponent would be Wisconsin, which will visit Beaver Stadium this season. And everyone remembers what happened when the two teams played for the conference championship in 2016.
Who will emerge as the defensive leader?
There are plenty of options, including senior safety and team captain Nick Scott, senior linebacker Koa Farmer and junior defensive end Shareef Miller. Senior cornerback Amani Oruwariye also has big‑play ability. Scott’s a two‑time captain, and during spring practice, defense end Ryan Buchholz said Scott was the most vocal leader, adding, “He gets us going.” With so many candidates, chances are it’ll be a group effort, though keep an eye on Scott. He has the respect of his teammates — they voted him as a team captain — and the experience to help guide the Nittany Lion defense. “It’s an honor, it’s a blessing and it’s a testament to my hard work that I put in over time,” Scott said of being voted as team captain. “Seeing that guys have seen that and respect it, it gets me excited about the season. Being a captain before, it makes the season and the preparation a lot more personal, and there’s a little more gravity to this team, just feeling like the success or failure (of the team) is essentially my responsibility.”
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Will Penn State win the Big Ten Conference?
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Which player will take the biggest step forward this season?
Again, there are plenty of choices. Certainly Sanders and Johnson on offense, and Miller on defense. Even though both Scott and Oruwariye have both established themselves as starters and leaders, there’s a sense there are ways for them to elevate their games even more. Several players mentioned that KJ Hamler made great strides during spring practice, as well. In terms of on‑field production, we’ll opt for Sanders, who after waiting behind Saquon Barkley for the last two seasons, is ready to seize his opportunity. Following the Blue‑White game, the junior running back said spring practice was “very positive” for the entire team; and for himself, he was focused on improving his blocking technique and catching passes out of the backfield. 15
2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Juwan Johnson. Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Breakout Players Set to Help Catapult Nittany Lions’ Offense By John Patishnock The Nittany Lions’ offense was one of the nation’s most explosive last season, when they averaged 41 points per contest. So, who will be this year’s key contributors, and who will take on larger roles for Penn State’s offense? We take a look at five players to keep an eye on this season.
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RYAN BATES At the onset of spring practice, Coach James Franklin said the offensive line features a “legitimate two‑deep” across the board, giving Penn State the opportunity to continue to compete and win in the Big Ten Conference. At the center of this discussion (not literally) is Bates, a junior who played in 10 games last season and made eight starts at left tackle. “Spring’s been going well for me, I feel like I’ve been doing a lot better,” Bates said in mid‑April, leading up to the Blue‑White game. “One thing I wanted to work on this offseason is my hands in the run‑game and pass protection game, keep my hands inside and get better leverage, and lower hips, which I feel like I’ve been doing pretty well on so far.” Overall, he felt like he’s progressed well, and the same could be said of the entire offensive line. Bates was listed on the roster for the blue team during Blue‑White, putting him in the category of a projected starter. “This year with the offensive line, we have a lot of experience coming back and a lot of competition,” Bates said. “We’re just
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 making each other better. From spring ball, the first practice to where we’re at now, I feel like we’ve come a long way, especially from last season.”
JUWAN JOHNSON Already being projected as a first‑round NFL Draft pick (if he forgoes his senior season), Johnson looks to be Penn State’s No. 1 receiver, as the Nittany Lions look to replace the receiving production that Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki and DaeSean Hamilton provided last year. Johnson certainly looks the part. At 6‑foot‑4, 229‑pounds, he scored only one touchdown last season, though it was a memorable one — the game‑winning score against Iowa as time expired. The teammate who threw that pass, quarterback Trace McSorley, summarized Johnson’s impact this way: “Juwan — the combination of his size and strength, coupled with his speed — I think it’s a matchup problem. Then, the experience that he brings, he’s a little bit mature beyond his years. You wouldn’t think that last year was really his first year of seeing playing time, but he’s mature in that way.”
BRANDON POLK A junior wide receiver from Ashburn, Va., Polk caught 10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown (against Georgia State) last year. During spring practice, he moved from the slot position to outside, switching positions with DeAndre Thompkins, another receiver who’s proven capable of producing big plays. Speaking about Polk and how much competition he faces in the wide receiver group, here’s what Franklin said during his spring practice press conference on March 19: “He’s the guy that can run, (and) he’s the guy that’s got natural ball skills. So he’s a guy that we’re really excited about; (and we’re) looking for him to make a move, because of the other players that he’s going to be competing with that we currently have in the room and also the group that’s coming in. So it will be a great competition at that position.”
MILES SANDERS “Finally.” Nobody can blame Miles Sanders if this is what he’s thinking, after the much‑heralded recruit watched Saquon Barkley catapult to an all‑time Penn State legend the last two seasons. Now, it’s Sanders’ turn, and all indications are that he’s ready. Here’s how Sanders assessed spring practice, following the Blue‑White game:
“The spring was very positive for the whole team. For me personally, I think I worked on my blocking technique, getting better and catching the ball out of the backfield. I didn’t get any passes today (during Blue‑White), but I think my catching skills coming out of the backfield have improved.” Franklin had previously encountered this scenario — a super‑talented newcomer waiting behind a firmly Miles Sanders. Photo courtesy Tim Weight established superstar — when he was coaching with the Green Bay Packers and the team drafted quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Brett Favre was still in place as the starter, and Rodgers had the opportunity to wait, learn and develop as a player for a few years. Franklin sees clear value in such a situation, and one with tangible, long‑term benefits. “I can’t imagine that there is a better player for Miles to come up under than Saquon Barkley,” Franklin said at the beginning of spring practice. "I think being behind really good players and being able to study them and grow and be challenged by them is really important.”
DEANDRE THOMPKINS A fifth‑year player, Thompkins has played in both the slot and outside in Penn State’s offense; and last season, he led the team with 24 punt returns for a 13.3 average, including a touchdown return in the season opener against Akron. Now projected to occupy a spot on the outside as a receiver (near the sideline) in Penn State’s offense, Thompkins can build on his production last year, when he averaged 15.8 yards per catch on 28 receptions. In describing the receiving trio of Johnson, Polk and Thompkins, McSorley said speed was the common denominator, certainly a trait that bodes well for the Nittany Lions and Thompkins, who figures to provide more big‑time plays in 2018. “He’s very versatile, and you saw what he could do as a punt returner last year,” McSorley said. “So his ability when he gets the ball in his hands to be a big‑play guy is something that I think we’re benefitting from, and we’re going to continue to benefit from.”
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Key Factors (for Opponents) Outlined for 2018 Season
KENT STATE (SEPT. 15) This will be Kent State’s fourth trip to Beaver Stadium since 2010, and while the Nittany Lions won’t need to play at their top level to win, keep an eye on Penn State’s secondary. Last season, Kent State quarterbacks threw only eight touchdowns against 15 interceptions.
By John Patishnock ILLINOIS (SEPT. 21) We’ll continue to have a weekly preview with key facts, figures and stats this fall, and because we know you’re just as eager as we are for the season to begin, here’s an early look ahead to the 2018 football campaign. For each game, we outline key factors and/or provide some background info, when looking at each week’s opponent.
APPALACHIAN STATE (SEPT. 1) The Mountaineers enjoyed an impressive 2017 season, winning the Sun Belt Conference and shutting out Toledo (34‑0) in the Dollar General Bowl. Appalachian State finished 9‑4 last season, playing one ranked opponent. That was a 31‑10 setback to Georgia in the season opener, when the Bulldogs were ranked only 15th. Georgia went on to play in the College Football Playoff. One last note: This will be the first matchup between the two teams.
PITT (SEPT. 8) Announced in the spring, this is set for an 8 p.m. kickoff at Heinz Field, a season following when Pitt was actually outscored for its entire campaign (23.9 points scored versus 26.6 points allowed per game). The Panthers scored at least 30 points in only three games last season, so if the Nittany Lions can reach that number (they averaged 41 in 2017), chances are Penn State will collect a victory. 18
The key factor here isn’t a stat or a name. Rather, it’s a date. For the first time, Penn State will play a Big Ten Conference game on Friday night. One less day to prepare and rest, and because James Franklin’s squad will be traveling (and Illinois won’t be), the Nittany Lions lose out on even more time.
OHIO STATE (SEPT. 29) For the first time since 2013, Penn State won’t have to contend against J.T. Barrett. The four‑year starting quarterback closed out his career against the Nittany Lions last season by playing (essentially) perfect in the second half of the Buckeyes’ comeback in Columbus. While Urban Meyer likely won’t name a new starter until sometime during fall camp, the important thing to know is Penn State’s defense will go up against a first‑time starter when the teams clash at Beaver Stadium.
MICHIGAN STATE (OCT. 13) The Spartans had only a plus‑4.5 scoring margin last season (24.5‑20), an incredibly low margin for a team that finished 10‑3. This year’s contest serves as the Homecoming games, which bodes well for Penn State.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 The Nittany Lions have an all‑time Homecoming record of 71‑22‑5, including 11‑2 in the last 13 years.
INDIANA (OCT. 20) The Hoosiers finished in the top half of the conference in both scoring offense (27) and offensive yardage (396), with sophomore dual‑threat quarterback Peyton Ramsey seeing enough time last season to attempt 205 passes. Indiana typically has a capable offense and subpar defense, with the Penn State‑Indiana final score (seemingly) always around 45‑24. In favor of the Nittany Lions, of course. Penn State has won all but one of 21 all‑time games against Indiana.
IOWA (OCT. 27) Plus‑19 — that’s the touchdown‑interception ratio for Hawkeye quarterback Nathan Stanley, who tossed 25 touchdowns against only six interceptions last season. Versus Penn State, the then‑sophomore finished 13‑for‑22 with 191 yards and two scores in the Nittany Lions’ road win. He also threw five touchdowns in Iowa’s blowout upset of Ohio State (55‑24).
MICHIGAN (NOV. 3) The Wolverines finished best in the Big Ten last season, allowing only 150 passing yards per game. This is a particularly important stat considering that Penn State led the conference a year ago, averaging 290 passing yards per game on offense. The Nittany Lions easily handled the Wolverines a year ago in Beaver Stadium, though it’ll be a different environment for Penn State’s offense in Ann Arbor.
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW WISCONSIN (NOV. 10) The Badgers are the Nittany Lions’ most underrated rival (by this writer’s estimate), and they’ve found their next great running back in freshman Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 1,847 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. It’s entirely possible Wisconsin will be undefeated and/or ranked in the Top 10 for this encounter at Beaver Stadium — a road test at Michigan might be the only blemish — contributing to one of the toughest (and most exciting) home schedules in recent history.
RUTGERS (NOV. 17) The Scarlet Knights have been outclassed ever since they joined the Big Ten. Here’s one of many examples: Penn State averaged more than twice as many points as Rutgers last season (41 vs. 18), with the Scarlet Knights totaling only 28 touchdowns a year ago, second‑worst in the conference. And the end‑of‑year schedule is absolutely brutal for Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights finish against Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State.
MARYLAND (NOV. 24) As a program, the Terrapins have steadily backpedaled since the infamous non‑handshake at Beaver Stadium back in 2014. Maryland’s defense was dreadful a year ago, allowing 37 points pre content, worst in the Big Ten. Penn State’s 66 points in a road victory helped inflate that stat. Also noteworthy is Penn State will likely have plenty to play for in the regular season finale, while Maryland might, at best, be trying to position itself for a mid‑tier bowl.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Stakes are High for Team Captain Nick Scott By John Patishnock In a lot of ways, Nick Scott has seen and done it all as a Nittany Lion. The senior team captain switched from running back to defensive back during his career, and the safety helped lead
the program’s national resurgence, with Penn State completing consecutive 11‑win seasons and appearances in New Year’s Six bowl games the past two seasons, along with the 2016 Big Ten championship. As Scott said, the stakes are higher for him this year, with the upcoming season representing his final go‑round as a Nittany Lion. There are plenty of reasons for optimism for both Scott and Penn State during the 2018 campaign. Read on for more insight in our exclusive Q&A. HappyValley.com: Does this offseason feel differently knowing that you’re going into your senior year? Nick Scott: A little bit — the stakes are a lot higher. Everything that I’ve wanted to do or dreamed of doing here, this is my last opportunity to do it. There are a lot of things that I want to
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Nick Scott Continued from page 21 accomplish, but at the same time, I need to remind myself to take it one step at a time and take this experience in with the guys in the locker room and enjoy it, because the fact of the matter is, I don’t know what’s outside of this right now. This has been my life for five years, so I really want to enjoy the moment and make sure that looking back when I leave here, I have something to celebrate. HV: Can you compare yourself now to when you first got to the program? What are the biggest differences for you and how have you changed as a player? Scott: I would say the biggest thing is just my knowledge of the game. I know I talk about that a lot, but really that’s where I’ve seen the biggest difference in myself over the years. Being an offensive player in high school, you don’t really learn much unless
you study the game on your own time. Really all I knew was get the ball, run, score touchdowns and repeat (laughing). So when I came in here, I definitely gained a lot more knowledge on the offensive side of the ball for the two years that I was there, as well as the defense. That was my biggest growth, and also the importance of owning your role. It doesn’t matter where you are on the field, because at this level, every phase of the game matters. HV: A lot of starters from last season are now gone to the NFL — do you see the situation as you need to be the defensive leader this season, or is it more of a group effort? Scott: I would say as a captain, I definitely want to take the first step in leading this group, but I also recognize that guys like Amani Oruwariye have a lot of experience — and some might argue more experience than me — in terms of reps on the field. He’s been the third corner for a little bit more and definitely has solidified a huge role, in terms of takeaways and things like that. It’s definitely a joint effort with these older guys leading the group, and I think Amani is doing a phenomenal job right now; the corner room looks up to him like nobody else because he knows his stuff and he’s experienced. Even I do, I look up to him as well, because he’s a very smart player. It’s definitely comforting to have two older guys on the field at any time in terms of communicating and things like that, but it’s definitely a joint effort. Garrett Taylor is a guy who we haven’t seen much of on the field, but he’s very attentive in the meeting rooms. He knows what he’s doing, and he knows his calls. It’s definitely something I’ve taken ownership in, and I’ve also acknowledged other guys’ roles and the maturation of the defensive back core. HV: Considering that last year’s entire defensive backfield was either drafted or signed a free agent contract, do you see that as motivation for this year’s group? Scott: We definitely see that as motivation. I can’t tell you how proud I was watching Marcus and Trap (Troy Apke) and Grant (Haley) and Christian (Campbell) and all those guys go to the NFL. That’s one of the times I felt the most pride in my life. Not only because those guys are my friends and teammates, but also because they’re from my position, and I’m representing that position this year. It definitely is motivation, and this is something that we want to keep going. I think that we have the recruits and the guys in here now to have a long line of defensive backs go to the NFL and do great things at Penn State. HV: What does it mean to you that your teammates have voted you as a team captain, and how much do you embrace having a leadership role? Scott: It’s an honor, it’s a blessing and it’s a testament to my hard
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 work that I put in over time. Seeing that guys have seen that and respect it, it gets me excited about the season. Being a captain before, it makes the season and the preparation a lot more personal, and there’s a little more gravity to this team, just feeling like the success or failure (of the team) is essentially my responsibility. HV: Being a two‑time captain now, will you do anything differently this season? Scott: I would say yes and no. I think one of the things that I’m trying to do as a captain this year is be a little bit more direct. First year being a captain, I was a special teams captain, so I didn’t always feel as though I could project over guys like Marcus Allen on the defense. I felt like there was a certain amount of respect that was due to them for their experience and the fact that they were captains of the defense. Now being captain of the defense and being someone who was a captain of the special teams, I feel like I can project over both of those areas and even influence the offense, in terms of encouragement, but obviously giving Trace that respect he has over his offense; and Blake over the special teams. I think being a second‑year captain and being older, I definitely am a lot more confident and a lot less concerned with people’s personal opinions. I’m a lot more concerned with what’s best for this team. HV: What gives you the most confidence about this team going into the season? Scott: I would say a couple things. Our leadership and our identity cover a lot of things. Definitely our leadership, we have guys leading this team right now who’ve seen both sides of the spectrum. We have guys who’ve been on the 7‑6 Pinstripe Bowl team, and we have guys who were part of the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. What that does for this team, that instills an awareness that we’ve earned everything up to this point. When I came
Photo courtesy PSU Live
in, when Trace came in, when Amani came in, Koa, all those guys, we weren’t good, we were very average — and we worked for every bit of success that we’ve got up to this point. Having that leadership with the newer guys who’ve come in and have just seen the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl and Big Ten Championship, we can influence the way they approach that. They can either see it as something that’s just given to them or they can see it as something that you have to work to continue to do, which I think we’re doing a great job. Also our identity, the type of guys that Penn State recruits, we have great athletes who compete and do all the necessary things the right way, so I’m not worried about guys slacking off or getting in trouble and hurting our team that way. I think those two things together, and also a number of other things, will help us to be really successful.
• Large Gift Shop • Cave Café • Gemstone Panning • Miners Maze • Group Tours Welcome
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Photo courtesy Tim Weight
The Perfect Tailgate By Ryan Brocco What defines a Penn State tailgate? It’s not the thousands of RVs that park near the stadium every weekend, nor is it the mouth‑watering foods you get to choose from on game day. What makes a Penn State tailgate so great is that it doesn’t matter who you are, because when you’re in Happy Valley, you’re a Penn State fan above all else. More than 100,000 Penn State football fans will pack into Beaver Stadium on Sept. 1 to watch the Nittany Lions play Appalachian State as the 25‑point favorites in the season’s opening game. Even more fans will join their ranks during the much anticipated white out rematch against the 2017 Big Ten Champion 24
Ohio State, the face‑off against reigning Big Ten West Champion Wisconsin and long‑time rival Michigan State. These three home games promise to be the highlight football games of the season and Beaver Stadium is sure to come alive when Nittany Lions’ fans electrify the stadium, in similar fashion to how they electrify tailgates. Of course, the only thing that can make game day more alive and exciting is the perfect tailgate. Come game day, cars, trucks and RVs will gather in surrounding fields and parking lots to enjoy a pre‑game celebration provided by Penn State faithful. Similar to the heart and pride of the Penn State football team, the culture of tailgating in Happy Valley encapsulates the Penn State way. Where you come from isn’t important, what’s important is ensuring, like the football game itself, the pre‑game tailgate is filled with fun, respect and pride as a Penn Stater. What makes the best tailgate differs from fan to fan. Some prefer to set up a tent behind their car or truck and listen to pre‑game coverage on the radio. Some would rather play a friendly — or sometimes not so friendly — game of cornhole with the neighboring tailgate. If you’re looking to go all in for your tailgate
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 setup this year, bring out the wide‑screen TV and a fully loaded kitchen compliments of your game day RV. State College RV Rental makes it easy for you to have all this and more. Not only do they set it up and take it down, RVs come equipped with add‑ons to ensure your tailgate is exactly how you want it. Each RV comes with Wi‑Fi, a queen bed and sleeper sofa and a fully loaded kitchen. If that’s not enough, you can add on chairs, tables and even an outdoor TV.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU DURING TAILGATING?
Going into the game on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Unless you can convince your buddy to get some chicken fingers from the concession, you could miss out on a key part of the game! You can’t go wrong with the food at the concessions, but if you’re trying to see every snap of the game, you’re better off eating during a tailgate. If you don’t feel like grilling or eating in the stadium, there are plenty of catering options in the area. Harrison’s Catering has a wide variety of food, from hearty Italian meatballs, to buffalo chicken mac and cheese, there’s a reason why Harrison’s has been named Best State College Caterer since 2004 — variety and consistency! If you do plan on preparing food yourself, North Ather‑ ton’s Farmers Market has an abundance of options. When Photo courtesy Mount Nittany Winery football season comes around, the farmers market will feature seasonal items such as sweet corn, watermelon, potatoes, summer squash and much more. Finding a drink to wash down your lunch is never a problem in Happy Valley. Beer Belly’s Beverage has you covered with a wide variety of beer. From domestics, imports, malts and seasonal drinks, you’ll always have options. Beer isn’t everyone’s thing, so for wine aficionados, you have many options in State College. Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery, Mount Nittany Winery and Seven Mountains Wine Cellars all offer delicious, unique types of wines. Mount Nittany Winery offers a ‘Tailgate Red.’ An easy drinking blend of French hybrid grapes, this wine was made to be enjoyed with tailgate food.
WHAT MAKES A PENN STATE FAN?
Maybe it was when Penn State blocked Ohio State’s field goal a few years ago. Maybe it was because your friend took you to your first football game. Whatever your reason is for being a Penn State fan, when you set foot into Beaver Stadium with your blue and white gear on, you’re part of something bigger: a fan base with expectations to be the loudest, most passionate group in the country. It really doesn’t matter if your tailgate setup is two lawn chairs, a 6‑pack and deck of cards. What makes State College one of the most desirable game‑day destinations in the country is the delightful, untroubled environment of tailgating in Happy Valley. Get ten Penn State fans at the same tailgate, you might hear a WE ARE chant. Get over 100,000 fans in the same stadium? You may need some earplugs.
What makes your perfect tailgate? Sound off at facebook.com/happyvalleypsu!
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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Game Day Traditions We Love: TOP 10 By Ryan Brocco Coming to Happy Valley for a weekend of football festivities is truly one of the most exciting things anyone can experience. From waking up early in the morning for tailgating, to singing Sweet Caroline near the end of the fourth quarter. These simple traditions are what Penn State is all about.
1. THE WHITE OUT GAME The thunderous atmosphere in Beaver Stadium during a White Out game is one of‑a‑kind. A true home field advantage, it’s consistently one of the loudest games of the year, which is why it’s always scheduled against top opponents. This years’ White Out will be on Sept. 29 against Ohio State. The last time the Buckeyes came into Happy Valley for a White Out game was in 2016. In a game where Penn State was a heavy underdog, they defeated the No. 2 ranked Buckeyes, 24‑21. Penn State Athletics has already released the White Out shirt, with both a long and short‑sleeved option.
2. THE NITTANY LION Whether it’s pumping the crowd up or surfing through it, since 1904, the Nittany Lion has been perfecting the art of being one of the most elegant, graceful mascots in all of college football. His ancestors used to roam Mount Nittany, but this guy prefers to do one‑armed Photo courtesy Tim Weight
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push‑ups during the middle of football games. A recent inductee into the Mascot Hall of Fame, the Nittany Lion is a trademark on game day and an ambassador for Penn State fans of all ages.
3. TAILGATING Penn State and tailgating go together like peanut butter and jelly. Sometimes up to a week before game day, thousands of Penn Staters will flock as close to Beaver Stadium as possible. The aroma of wings, burgers and pulled pork sandwiches, combined with the fact that it’s game day, creates a pleasant, secure vibe, resonating throughout all of Happy Valley. When Penn State fans visit, they typically look for a vendor such as State College RV Rental, to provide a phenomenal tailgate environment. Their typical RVs come with free WiFi, a queen bed and sleeper sofa and a fully loaded kitchen. For fans looking for more, they can also add chairs, tables or an outdoor TV. Looking to pick up some beverages before heading to the tailgate? The Hopshop Beer Mar‑ ket has over 600 selections of beers from all around the world. Whether you’re interested in creating your own sampler 6 pack or buying a Growler (a half‑gallon jug of beer), like downtown State College, you have options.
4. DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE Walking through downtown State College on game day is pretty lively both before and after the game. Still need to buy that Fiesta Bowl shirt? Need a bite to eat? A drink? You can find all of that, and more downtown. If you need to pick up some game day apparel or accessories, the Penn State Bookstore on College Avenue has everything from windbreakers and ponchos, to spirit beads and temporary Nittany Lion tattoos. Among the many choices of where to eat and drink downtown, HiWay Pizza Pub has 29 varieties of hand‑spun pizzas, including their famous vodka “flaky” crust pizza.
5. CREAMERY ICE CREAM The best ice cream in the world since 1865. The creamery has over 100 ice cream flavors, and also has some frozen yogurt and sherbet options. Celebrities, athletes and even Presidents have visited the creamery. When President Bill Clinton ordered both Peachy Paterno and Cherry Quist, it was the one and only time in the history of the creamery where someone was allowed to mix flavors.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 9. HISTORIC CHANTS Fans can feel the echo of Beaver Stadium as the crowd chants, “WE ARE, PENN STATE.” A roaring chant fit for Nittany Lions, it’s a true staple of the in‑game Penn State football experience. Another game day staple is the Penn Alma Mater. Win or lose, following the game the football team will join the fans in singing perhaps the most iconic song in Happy Valley.
10. PUTTING ON YOUR FAVORITE JERSEY Photo courtesy Tim Weight
6. ENTERING THE HISTORIC BEAVER STADIUM Beaver Stadium has the second highest capacity among all college football stadiums. One of the biggest in the world, this stadium has been renovated multiple times since finding its permanent location following the 1959 season. Home of generations of Nittany Lion players and fans, the number of memories in this stadium is too much to count. The first time you’re up close to this beautiful stadium, will be a moment you remember for the rest of your life.
The simplicity of navy blue and white has been a classic look for Penn State jerseys since the dawn of time. A plain navy blue stripe down the middle of the white helmet, with no name on the back, these jerseys are sometimes regarded as the best in college football.
Experience a demonstration flight in a two place glider!
7. BLUE BUSES Watching the Penn State football team make its way to Beaver Stadium on the blue buses is one of the most anticipated parts of game day. For decades, this tradition has been accompanied by thousands of eager Penn Staters cheering and honking their car horns at the buses as they make their way into the stadium.
8. FLYING PEOPLE It’s all fun and games until Penn State has three touchdowns in five minutes. A State tradition is to throw people in the air for however many points the Nittany Lions have. A tremendous experience for the person getting thrown in the air, but a back workout for the thrower nonetheless. Thankfully, it wasn’t 90º last year when Penn State scored 56 against Nebraska.
since 1975
Ridge Soaring Gliderport Located between Julian and Unionville, 4 miles west of State College. w w w.eglider.org
814.355.2483
3523 S. Eagle Valley Rd. Julian, PA 16844 27
July 4 Central PA 4th Fest Beaver Stadium 4thfest.org
September 1 Penn State v. Appalachian State Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
July 12‑15 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Allen Street arts‑festival.com
September 16 Elton John
Bryce Jordan Center bjc.psu.edu/ elton‑john‑sold‑out
July 5, 12, 19, 26 August 2, 9, 16 WingFest
Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com
October 3 Cirque Éloize: Hotel
Eisenhower Auditorium cpa.psu.edu
October 13 Homecoming Penn State v. Michigan State Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July
July 1; August 5; September 2
First Sunday of Every Month Bellefonte bellefonte.com
July 1
Chalk the Walk Centre County Courthouse bellefontemuseum.org/ events/EventsandClasses/ chalk-the-walk
July 4
Central PA 4th Fest Beaver Stadium 4thfest.org
July 4
Kids Day: Dress & Discover Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
July 5; August 2; September 6; October 4 Happy Valley Improv State Theatre thestatetheatre.org
July 3
Get the Led Out State Theatre thestatetheatre.org/get-theled-out-3/
July 11
Arts Festival Alumni Weekend North Halls Residence Housing alumni.psu.edu
July 12
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com
July 12
Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival 169 Homan Lane remingtonryde.com
Central PA Civil War Round Table: “Zouaves: America’s Forgotten Soldiers Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
July 5
July 12-15
July 4-6
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com
Summer Fun Guide
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Allen Street arts-festival.com
July 12-15
People’s Choice Festival PA Military Museum peopleschoicefestival.com
July 14-15
Revolutionary War Days Fort Roberdeau fortroberdeau.org
July 17, 24; August 5, 12, 19, 26 Summer Sounds in the Gazebo Talleygrand Park bellefontearts.org/summer_ sounds.htm
July 19
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com/
July 20
Lecture: A War We Can’t Forget Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
July 22
Wings in the Park Tom Tudek Memorial Park snetsingerbutterflygarden. org/events.html
July 26
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com/
Photo courtesy Tim Weight
July 12-15 | People’s Choice Festival PA Military Museum peopleschoicefestival.com
August
August 2
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com
August 4
Boot Camp for Kids Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
August 4, 5, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
Guided Tour of the Pennsylvania Military Museum Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org
August 5
Friends’ Lecture Series: “War Fever! How the Government’s AntiGerman Propaganda Campaign Affected Central Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
August 7
Central PA Civil War Round Table: “For the People: A Photographic History of the Gettysburg National Military Park” pamilmuseum.org
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS September 15
Penn State v. Kent State Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
September 16
Sunday Afternoon Live Series: Adam Swartz Puppets State Theatre thestatetheatre.org/sundayafternoon-live-1/
September 16
August 16 | Jeff Daniels and the Ben Daniels Band State Theatre thestatetheatre.org August 9
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com
August 10-11
Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fair Allegheny Street bellefontefair.org
Grange Fair Grange Fairgrounds grangefair.com
August 25
September 20
August 17-25
Blues Traveler State Theatre thestatetheatre.org
August 12
Music Under the Sycamore Centre Furnace Mansion CentreHistory.org
August 14-16
Ag Progress Days Ag Progress Fairground agsci.psu/edu
August 16
WingFest Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com/
August 16
Jeff Daniels and the Ben Daniels Band State Theatre thestatetheatre.org
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September
Kevin Hart: The Irresponsible Tour Bryce Jordan Center bjc.psu.edu/kevin-hartirresponsible-tour
September 23
Exploring the Armor Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
September 29
Penn State v. Ohio State Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
September 19
Lecture: “Looking for Loreta—the Confederate Kardashian Pennsylvania Military Museum pamilmuseum.org/eventcalendar/
August 11
State College Brew Expo 341 Bear Meadows Road statecollegebrewexpo.com
Elton John Bryce Jordan Center bjc.psu.edu/elton-john-soldout
September 22
Veronica Swift Schwab Auditorium cpa.psu.edu
September 22
WPSUs Taste of Innovation Innovation Park Grounds wpsu.org/tasteofinnovation
Oct. 3
October
Cirque Éloize: Hotel Eisenhower Auditorium cpa.psu.edu
Oct. 6-7
43rd Annual Dutch Fall Festival Downtown Aaronsburg aaronsburgcc.org
October 7
Old Europe Festival Columbus Chapel boalmuseum.org
Oct. 11
Joshua Bell Eisenhower Auditorium cpa.psu.edu
October 13
Homecoming Penn State v. Michigan State Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
October 27
Penn State v. Iowa Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
November
November 10
Penn State v. Wisconsin Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
November 24
Penn State v. Maryland Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
September 1
Penn State v. Appalachian State Beaver Stadium gopsusports.com
September 7
"Bellefonte Under the Lights" Waterfront Dinner Bellefonte Waterfront downtownbellefonteinc.com
September 6-9
Nittany Antique Machinery Fall Show Penn's Cave nittanyantique.org
Summer Fun Guide
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts™
July 12-15, 2018
Children & Youth Day July 11, 2018 This year’s special events include performances by the Jon Stickley Trio, Minas, and Jackie Brown and the Gill Street Band. The festival presents a wonderful array of events including the giant sand sculpture, Italian Street Painting Festival, Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races, and a full day of children’s activities.
arts-festival.com
Almost Here: What You Need to Know about the Festival of the Arts July 12‑15 By Cara Aungst
It’s almost time for the 52nd annual Festival of the Arts. From July 12‑15, downtown State College will transform back into the festival that features some of our favorite summer memories. We talked with Jennifer Shuey, Director of Development about what’s new, what’s back and how kids can get involved. Read on! HappyValley.com: Tell us about this festival year — what’s new? Jen: This year, it will be even easier for folks to preview everything that the Arts Festival has to offer and plan their itineraries on our fresh, new website at arts‑festival.com. We have even more artists in the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition this year, with many new faces joining the ranks. We have a great selection of musical entertainment with local favorites along with several acts that we think will be big hits. Plus, we and the State Theatre are partnering to bring comedian Joe Machi for a Saturday night performance at 10 p.m. He is a State College native and Penn State alum who appeals to both the 20‑something crowd who will be kicking off an evening of fun as well as the festival visitors who are ready to cap off a full day. This is the one event that requires a ticket purchase, so check our website at arts‑festival.com/event/ joe‑machi/ for all the details. HV: What is a returning favorite? Jen: This will be the third year for our Festive Spirits cocktail reception. With Big Spring Spirits mixing some special festive flavors and Catering with Style by Dan Rallis knocking the food out of the park, it’s become a not‑to‑miss event! Don’t wait to make your reservations; we expect the $75 tickets to sell out fast.
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Photo courtesy Tim Weight
HV: What are you personally most excited about this new year? Jen: Another new partnership this year is with Centred Outdoors. We are excited to offer people two opportunities to get outdoors for a walk in an urban environment while learning about the public art found throughout downtown State College all year‑round. HV: Tell us a little about Children and Youth Day on July 11. Jen: We have a ton of experiences for kids and families on Wednesday, July 11, so be sure to visit both the Old Main Lawn and Sidney Friedman Park for some hands‑on fun. My favorite part is the Children & Youth Sidewalk Sale on Allen Street from the Borough Building all the way out to Fairmount Avenue. Kids aged 8‑18 get creative in the months leading up to the Festival and then unleash their entrepreneurial side as they sell their wares to an enthusiastic Arts Festival crowd. I’m always impressed by the budding talent. In fact, last year, one of the kids, a student at State High, also entered the Festival’s Images juried exhibition and took home the prize for the Best Drawing! Don’t forget to buy your button for $10 for access to select indoor performances! You can buy your button at arts‑festival.com.
Summer Fun Guide
State College Brew Expo. Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Happy Valley Festival Lineup By Katie DeFiore
Looking for something to do this summer, either during your weekends as a local or on a specific date when you’ll be in town? Luckily for you (and all of us!), Happy Valley’s calendar is chock‑full of fun festivals all summer long. There’s barely a day without something exciting to do. Whatever your interest or age, there’s sure to be at least one festival on this list that catches your eye. From authentic Irish food to extreme fireworks displays and art to wings, we’ve got festivals for it all.
Summer Fun Guide
Central PA 4thFest When: July 4 Where: Penn State Sports Complex Start your Fourth of July off with a Firecracker fun run, either the 4K or 4M race. Bringing more than one thousand participants to Happy Valley in previous years, racers and walkers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join in the fun. Then, in the afternoon, enjoy the Independence Day parade starting in downtown State College. Local bands perform and delicious food is available, leading up to the fireworks display in the night sky. Grab a seat near the Penn State Sports Complex and watch the brilliant colors in one of the country’s best fireworks shows.
(Continued on page 34)
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Enjoy the annual Arts Fest sidewalk sale featuring more than 300 artists and craftsmen this July. Find a variety of artistic creations for sale, from basketry to digital art, paintings to musical instruments. Each day features a different musical performance from both Pennsylvanian and national performers. Don’t forget that you can also get your heart rate up on Sunday morning at the annual Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races. Choose from a 5K, 10K or a 10‑mile run to participate in and help raise money for local youth running activities. Plus, all throughout Arts Fest, you’ll find various musical artists and performers on stage around town and at select venues. Check out the Arts Fest schedule for more info and to pick your favorite can’t‑miss performers.
Central PA 4thFest. Photo courtesy Tim Weight
WingFest When: July 5 through August 16 Where: Tussey Mountain Enjoy a whole month’s worth of chicken wings, beer and live music at Tussey Mountain starting July 5. There are six rounds in total for consecutive Thursday evenings, after which a winner is crowned. Each week of the competition will feature a few of the local restaurants competing to be named the WingFest Champion. In past years, there have been up to 30 different wings vendors, each with several wing flavors to choose from. At the end of the day, attendees can submit their votes for their favorite wing vendor of the night. August 16 features the final competition, where the six finalists from the six previous weeks compete head to head for the championship. The band lineup for this year includes The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, Country Legends Tribute Tour, Bruce in the USA tribute band, Hybrid Ice, Refugee: Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute, My Hero Zero, Velveeta and several more to be announced.
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts When: July 12‑15 Where: Downtown State College and Penn State Campus 34
Tussey Mountain WingFest. Photo courtesy Michael Houtz
Summer Fun Guide
People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts When: July 12‑ July 15 Where: Boalsburg This festival features nearly 200 artists, about two dozen food vendors and 40 musical acts on the two stages, all spread out across the Boalsburg Military Museum lawn. Find everything from glass art to photography to woodwork at this weekend event. There’s always a number of ways for kids to have fun and get involved at this festival, with previous years featuring bounce houses, a kid’s BMX show, tie‑dying, face painting and a small train to ride. In addition to filling up on the usual festival grub, take home specialty foods from The Piper’s Peck, Tait Farm, Torchbearer Sauces and many more. For those over 21, you’ll have a chance to do some wine sampling as well, with local vineyard and winery booths.
Typically held in beautiful Talleyrand Park, this year’s festival will take place on Allegheny and High Streets due to construction. Come browse the work of talented artists and craftsmen and enjoy live music.
State College Brew Expo When: August 11, 5‑9 p.m. Where: Tussey Mountain Ski Resort Happy Valley is in for a real treat this year when it comes to Brew Expo. In honor of the event’s 20th anniversary, the festival will feature only Pennsylvania craft brewers. With an original motto of “Drink Less, Drink the Best!” it’s clear this festival is for true beer‑lovers — those who appreciate it and seek quality not quantity. The new slogan, “Good Beer, Good Music, Great Cause!” embodies all the event stands for, including that proceeds benefit Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State. (Continued on page 36)
Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fest When: August 10‑11 Where: Downtown Bellefonte on Allegheny & High Streets
People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts. Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Summer Fun Guide
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vendors available at their annual flea markets held at Penns Cave. Enjoy several different food vendors featuring homemade ice cream, bean soup, pot pie and apple butter. Watch a chainsaw carving artist and observe some featured antique machinery in operation including machines that thresh grain, bail straw, saw logs into lumber and much more. Enjoy this outdoor market and event from dawn ‘til dusk daily. Learn more about the event here: nittanyantique.org/fall.php.
43rd Annual Dutch Fall Festival When: October 6‑7, 2018 Where: Aaronsburg Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the festivals are gone. Enjoy the changing foliage, small‑town style and celebrate autumn with delicious traditional foods, live old‑time demonstrations, live entertainment, 50+ local craft and food vendors, all nestled in the historic village of Aaronsburg! Find out more at aaronsburgcc.org.
Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fest. Photo courtesy Tim Weight
Though this year’s brewers and bands have yet to be announced, tickets are now available at statecollegebrewexpo.com/tickets.
Grange Fair When: August 17‑25 Where: Grange Fairgrounds, Centre Hall Technically not a festival, the only remaining tenting show in the nation captivates Centre County in the last weeks of summer. This year, country music star Tracy Lawrence and CCM performers Building 429 lead a diverse grandstand in music, while a full schedule of events, rides and indulgent concessions bring back the Grange you all know and love. Find out more, and purchase your advance tickets at grangefair.com.
Nittany Antique Machinery Show When: September 6‑9 Where: Centre Hall If you missed the annual spring show this June or want to experience the festivities again, join Nittany Antique for their annual fall show, September 6‑9. Nittany Antique hosts more than 700 vendors with more than 800 tractors on display. They also have more than 40 parts 36
Summer Fun Guide
Tussey Owns Fun This Summer: Bluegrass, Wingfest, Movies and More Tussey Mountain, pro at offering year‑round fun in Happy Valley, is in warm‑weather mode! Here’s what’s in store this summer:
New this Year! Bluegrass & BBQ on June 28 This premier event will feature the likes of Tussey Mountain Moonshiners and The Crooked Line country string band along with some of the best BBQ you can find anywhere. Come enjoy some Clem’s, Doan’s Bones, Curt’s Smokin’ Ribs and Prospector’s, and get your bluegrass fix at the same time. Win!
WingFest: Every Thursday Night from July 5 through August 16 For 19 years, WingFest has been drawing thousands of hungry Central Pennsylvania residents and restaurants offering the best wings in Happy Valley competing for the title of Tussey Mountain Wing King. On Thursday nights in July and August, you’ll get your chance to vote for the best wings in the area and to see if your favorite wings can take the Wing King crown from 2017 champion Kelly’s Steak and Seafood. They are opening another entrance this year to make the event even better. As any wing‑fest goer knows, it’s more than the wings — there is also some of the best live music, with local and nationally touring acts playing each night of the competition throughout the summer. This year, Aaron Weyman, marketing director for Tussey is pretty excited about the lineup. “The tribute shows have been really well received at WingFest so we have taken it to another level this year with some premium acts. We have a Bruce Springsteen cover band called Bruce in the USA coming from NYC, as well as a Country Legends Tribute Tour from Ontario, Canada, which features Garth Brooks, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band acts. There will also be a Dave Matthews tribute band from upstate New York and a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers cover band coming in from Boston area to perform.”
Summer Fun Guide
Photo courtesy Michael Houtz
Visit tusseymountain.com/wingfest for more information.
Movies on the Mountain: Fridays from June 29‑August 17 Just like last year, this event is FREE (thanks, Penn State Health!). New this year, the first 200 families get free popcorn! Every Friday from June 29‑August 17, you can catch a fun movie outside. Gates open at 8 p.m., and the movies start at dusk. You can buy movie popcorn, hot dogs, ice cream, beer and more. Check social media before you head out, due to weather! This year’s movies are: June 29: The Fox and the Hound July 6: The Last Jedi July 13: The Lion King July 20: Super Troopers July 27: The Notebook August 3: Coco August 10: A Wrinkle in Time August 17: Ready Player One
Fun Centre Bring your family and friends for these activities that will bring out the kid in everyone. With Go‑Karts, golfing, batting cages, a skate park and the Mountain Mini‑Golf Course, Tussey Mountain has something for everyone to enjoy throughout the hot Central Pennsylvania summer. 37
Family Favorites in Happy Valley By Rebecca Masser
Summer is here once again. The sun is shining, birds are singing and children are home from school creating the perfect environment to have fun outside and spend time with family. However, while being home is fun for children initially, parents will soon be hearing the most dreaded phrase from their little ones: “I’m bored.” Thankfully, Happy Valley holds many cures for summer boredom that suit both children and their parents. People of all ages can use their newfound spare time to fulfill their summer bucket lists and have fun outdoors in Happy Valley — all while learning something, too! Here are some of the top places for your next family adventure.
The Discovery Space If you have a child who enjoys hands‑on learning, this is the perfect place to visit. The Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania holds more than 45 exhibits that are designed to make learning about STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) more fun, encouraging children to be creative and curious about everyday phenomena. The Discovery Space also offers various fun, science‑themed camps throughout the summer. Open day camps include “The Notion of Motion” and “All About Energy” for children ages 11‑14, June 25‑29. Parent perk: reasonable prices. Regular admission is $7 per person, and children under two years old get in free! Groups of more than 10 people can get in for $5 per person if the reservation is made at least 48 hours in advance. The Discovery Space proves that learning about science can be both fun and affordable.
Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park Presidents, monuments and water, oh my! Penn’s Cave is America’s only water cavern and is right in Penn State’s backyard. This park offers a boat tour of the limestone cavern, which maintains a constant 52‑degree temperature and features rock formations that look like the Statue of Liberty, George Washington and other strikingly familiar objects. 38
The limestone water cavern is not the park’s only feature. It’s only one part of the park’s 1,600 acres of forests and fields. Open‑air bus tours of the park give visitors an up‑close view of the animals and plants on the 90‑minute Farm, Nature and Wildlife Tour. Additionally, visitors can reserve a ride on the Cave Rock Mountain Tour to travel from the cave rock to the mountaintop. Hungry after your tour? No problem! The Cave Café offers bison and longhorn burgers, or visitors can pack a lunch and picnic in the pavilion. Visit Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park, five miles past Centre Hall on Route 192 to appreciate nature’s beauty and spend time with family.
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park Summer’s heat can make the days drag by, but it doesn’t have to be this way! DelGrosso’s Amusement Park can fulfill any child’s (or parent’s) wildest dreams. Only 30 miles south of State College on I‑99 Tipton, DelGrosso’s is the perfect destination for a family day trip. The amusement resort expanded its Italian‑themed Laguna Splash water park in 2016. Now, guests can drift past a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the lazy river, have a blast in the massive, Photo courtesy DelGrosso’s 300,000‑gallon wave pool or Amusement Park ride waterslides such as Twin Twisters, Midnight Express and Gravity Groove. If you have small children, never fear! Laguna Splash also has a calm wading pool. Parents rejoice, for you won’t have to worry about packing lunches for everyone. DelGrosso’s offers amazing food. The park’s freshly‑made pizza features locally‑made tomato sauce and can be bought by the slice or by the pie. Guests can enjoy other homemade Italian foods, such as lasagna, meatballs, gnocchi, stuffed shells and many more amazing dishes. Purchase an all‑day ride pass for $29.95 to enter to the water park and to ride the park rides, and get a discount if you ordered online! DelGrosso’s also offers over 15 pavilions for all‑day rentals on the park picnic grounds and offers catering to your gathering.
Central PA Festival of the Arts This is the place to be for art lovers. The 52nd Festival of the Arts
Summer Fun Guide
Penn State University Park campus and all it has to offer: the Palmer Museum of Art, the Arboretum, the Nittany Lion Shrine and so much more. Visit the Hintz Family Alumni Center — which this author considers an underrated gem — if you want to see a beautiful garden and a pond where the ducks like to hang out. End your stay with a scoop of your favorite flavor of ice cream at Berkey Creamery. Let Happy Valley be the place you make your next favorite memory with family and friends.
will be held July 12–15 in downtown State College. The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will hold over 300 artists selling their work, making it the perfect place to look for gifts or decorations. Watch painters and sculptors at work at the Italian Street Painting Festival on Heister Street or check out the Images 2018 fine art gallery.
Happy Valley Classics
Places to Stay
Photo courtesy Cara Aungst
While the child‑centered activities in Happy Valley are great, there are many other fun places to visit! Take a hike on Mount Nittany or head downtown to the Corner Room to try a grilled sticky. Those who just want to take a nice stroll can explore the
With all that Happy Valley has to offer, families will need a few days to have all the fun and see all the sights. Luckily, there are many hotels in the area where you can book your stay for your family trip. Just a few in State College include Fairfield Inn and Suites on North Atherton Street, Hampton Inn and Suites on East College Avenue and SpringHill Suites State College on Waddle Road. All are fully loaded with amenities and are located in just the right spots to help you see and do everything on your Happy Valley summer bucket list.
Taste Buds Kitchen
331 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 For someone interested in exploring their cooking skills while having a good time with family and friends, Taste Buds Kitchen is a great place to visit this summer. The culinary entertainment experience for kids, families and adults hosts several cooking workshops and camps throughout the summer. Adult BYOB Cooking Classes: On June 22, enjoy a Mexican Fiesta workshop for adults. BYOB and learn how to make handmade guacamole, street‑style carne asada and crispy fish tacos. You can also make pasta by hand — learn a simple pasta dough recipe and experiment with kneading the dough into your favorite pasta shapes on June 23. Learn the art of cooking with wine, July 5. Sip some wine while using it to enhance the flavor of seasoned vegetables, bacon and leek risotto and red wine‑poached pears. Celebrating a birthday or bachelorette party? Do it the culinary way with Taste Buds Kitchen and book a private event. Book your event at tastebudskitchen.com.
Summer Fun Guide
Calling all Chefs! Mommy & Me Kids Workshops Birthday Parties Camps Adult BYOB
tastebudskitchen.com/statecollege (814) 238-1212 331 Benner Pike State College, PA 16801
ter s i g Re Now 39
Next stop: Boalsburg By Chris Morelli
If you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, in a historic setting, look no further than Boalsburg, Pa. The birthplace of Memorial Day, the charming small town is still reminiscent of the early 19th century, with plenty of past plus modern amenities. Just a 15‑minute drive from Penn State’s University Park campus, it offers bed and breakfasts, coffee shops, bars, casual dining, fine dining and unique specialty shops. Here are some of our favorite stops in one of Happy Valley’s hidden gems.
The Pennsylvania Military Museum If there’s a history buff in your family, the Pennsylvania Military Museum is one of your must‑see spots. The museum was constructed in the late 1960s and situated on the grounds of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division Shrine. Today, the Pennsylvania Military Museum is one of Happy Valley’s most‑visited museums. It features war‑time relics, retired tanks and cannons. Check the museum schedule as there are often re‑enactments, lectures and active displays throughout the year. For more information about the museum, visit pamilmuseum.org.
A Basket Full A Basket Full was established in the spring of 1990. It’s been in business under the leadership of Pam Bair since. She left the teaching profession to pursue a new life as a small business owner and continues to provide quality service and merchandise to customers from Centre County and beyond. Bair’s shop carries many items, including clothing, accessories, home décor, gourmet kitchen items, local food products and much more. A Basket Full has many special events throughout the year. Its annual Summer Yard Sale is coming up Saturday, July 28. It will feature special prices on purses, clothing, home décor and more. Recently, A Basket Full expanded and now carries even more products, including Brighton and Vera Bradley items, Fresh Produce clothing, Sportina 449, locally‑made foods, baby items and more of the accessories that are already staples at the store. There are also more spa‑type products, from oils to cozy socks and robes. For more information, visit basket‑full.com. 40
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars In August 2009, Scott and Mary Ann Bubb opened Seven Mountains Wine Cellars. In nearly a decade, the once‑small winery has grown by leaps and bounds. Many of its wines have won gold medals at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, including five Governors Cups and a Keystone cup for both its grape and fruit wines. The award‑winning wines have fared especially well at the prestigious Finger Lakes International competition in Rochester, N.Y. One of Seven Mountains’ most popular wines is its Vidal Ice wine, which features grapes that are allowed to freeze on the vine. It has a honey and apricot‑like aroma. Visit their main winery on Decker Valley Road off 322 near Potters Mills and see the Vintner's Inn, a three‑bedroom, two‑bath log cabin, just a few hundred steps away from the winery. It’s a perfect vacation rental for the summer months or any Penn State events. The Vintner's Inn can be booked at AirBnB.com, or directly through Seven Mountains Wine Cellars at sevenmountainwinecellars.com.
Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum The Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum is a large complex of historic structures constructed over the 200 years of the eight generations of the Boal family. The historic mansion was built around 1800 by David Boal. He was an early settler to the Centre Region, and the community that formed around him would take his name. If you’re an avid American history fan, you’ll love the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum. It has numerous displays that detail the history of the Boal family and their ties to many historical figures including Christopher Columbus, Napoleon, Richard Henry Lee, and Simon Bolivar and are explained by a 1.5 hour guided tour. The museum recently opened an environmentally-controlled room where 150,000 pages of Columbus family manuscripts dating from 1450 are housed. The museum owns the largest collection of
Summer Fun Guide
Columbus artifacts in North America. Other collections of note include an armory with weapons from the Medieval through WWI periods, a transportation exhibit with nine of the family’s carriages, and over 300 original works of art dating from the Renaissance through the 19th century. For more information on the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, visit boalmuseum.com.
TriYoga TriYoga of Central PA opened its Boalsburg location in July of 2015. Located on the diamond in Boalsburg, the studio offers an extensive lineup of classes and workshops for anyone interested in increasing their flexibility and strength, slowing down their racing mind or finding some inner peace. The experienced teachers believe in the power of yoga to transform bodies, minds, spirits and lives. The tranquil studio offers a welcoming environment for both advanced students and (Continued on page 42)
Photo courtesy Boal Mansion
Make Time for What Matters Yoga for Strength, Balance, Peace & Relaxation
First Class Free
51 Boal Ave., Boalsburg pamilmuseum.org (814)466-6263
Serving Central Pennsylvania since 2000 Boalsburg | Spring Mills | Bellefonte
Discover a new way to move through life www.PennsylvaniaYoga.com
Summer Fun Guide
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beginners. It doesn't matter what your body can or can't do. "That's not what makes it yoga," says Theresa Shay, director of TriYoga of Central PA. "It's how relaxed and calm can you be." For more information or to sign up for a free trial, visit pennsylvaniayoga.com.
People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts The People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts is a family‑friendly arts festival featuring free music, children’s activities, food and of course, quality art. This year, the festival is Thursday, July 12 through Sunday, July 15. Admission to the festival is free and located on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. The festival is held in conjunction with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, on Penn State’s campus. Make stops at both for a fun‑filled, festive summer weekend exploring the best of regional arts and handicrafts. For more information, visit peopleschoicefestival.com.
Photo courtesy TriYoga
A Basket Full Visit us in historic Boalsburg, and find your perfect gift!
Christopher Columbus in Central Pennsylvania Columbus Chapel Altar photo by Mary Szmolko, 2017
So Much History in One Museum.
2018 Special Events July 13–15: Sun, Sept 9:
Clothing, accessories, home decor, gourmet kitchen items, local food products, & more!
(814) 466-7788 • www.basket-full.com 121 E Main St • Boalsburg, PA 42
Annual Antique Faire & Berry Festival Herb & Garlic Festival/Teddy Bear Tea*/ PennDel Tree Climbing Competition Sun, Oct 7: Olde Europe Festival Dec 1&2*: Home for the Holidays at the Mansion Dec 1&2, 8 & 9: Drive-through Illumination Display & Kristkindl Market (fee) Browse our gift shop in the Visitor Center for books, pottery, wooden bowls, postcards, and more. Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum, Boalsburg, PA boalmuseum.com, TW: @BoalMuseum, FB: Boal Mansion Museum Information: 814-876-0129 Open for tours Tues–Sun, 1:30–5pm, May–Oct and by appointment.
Summer Fun Guide
Sun’s Out: Five Outdoor Getaways for Your Bucket List By Katie DeFiore and Leah Grubb
As anyone who has spent time here in the summer will tell you, it’s true; Happy Valley transforms into a completely different experience in the summer. The sun is shining and local businesses 44
Allegrippis Trails. Photo by A.E. Landes Photography
make sure there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get involved! Here are our some of our favorite places to go and things to do, whether you’re just visiting for the weekend or looking for ways to have fun around the region this summer.
Raystown Lake Ready to get outdoors and closer to nature? With many outdoor public spaces, the Raystown Lake Region has opportunities aplenty to breathe in the fresh air, walk through the forest, enjoy the unspoiled shoreline scenery of Raystown Lake or paddle the gentle waters of the Juniata River. So bring your boots, kayak, fishing pole, mountain bike and camp chair to really get the most out of your time in Huntingdon County. New this summer are
Summer Fun Guide
two public access points to Jack’s Narrows, the deepest gorge in Pennsylvania, now open for paddle sports, fishing and leisurely inner‑tube floating. What’s on your Raystown Bucket List? ✓✓ FREE Tuesday Morning Visitor Wake‑Up Receptions at the Raystown Lake Visitor Center from mid‑June to mid‑August ✓✓ Test Paddle Tuesdays with Rothrock Outfitters at Seven Points Marina from mid‑June to mid‑August ✓✓ WildRiver Water Park at Lake Raystown Resort ✓✓ Isett Heritage Museum ‑ 40,000 items organized by historic era ✓✓ Rockhill Trolley Museum ‑ Ride antique trolleys all day, plus special events throughout the year ✓✓ William E. Swigart, Jr. Automobile Museum ✓✓ Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks ‑ Two cave tours on one ticket plus special events and scout programs ✓✓ Broad Top Area Coal Miners Historical Society & Museum ✓✓ Scenic boat tours aboard the Proud Mary at Lake Raystown Resort ✓✓ Guided fishing excursions ✓✓ The Thousand Steps section of the Standing Stone Trail
Photo courtesy AELandes
the Lead Mine Fort, is a reconstruction of the original fort that stood there in Sinking Valley during the 18th century. This summer, there will be a Star Spangled 4th of July event with activities for all ages and an 18th‑century field camp and Revolutionary War battle reenactment, July 14‑15. Bring a lawn chair to watch the reenactment and become immersed in a storyline reflecting local history. You can find more information at fortroberdeau.org or on facebook at facebook.com/ftroberdeau.
✓✓ Raystown overlooks ✓✓ Allegrippis Trails and the Ray‑ stown Mountain Bike Skills Park
Revolutionary War Days at Fort Roberdeau!
✓✓ Balanced Rock Trail You can always contact the HCVB office either prior to or during your “Raycation” for more information on everything to see and do in Raystown: (888) 729‑7869, info@raystown.org or online at Raystown.org.
Fort Roberdeau Altoona Are you a history buff looking to learn about the Revolutionary War era? Look no further than Fort Roberdeau in Altoona. The fort, also known as
Summer Fun Guide
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General and Martha Washington on the grounds with visiting hours and special program each day. Visit an 18th century military field camp. Become immersed in camp life and a story line based on local events. A daily battle will be held each afternoon. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for viewing comfort.
fortroberdeau.org facebook.com/ftroberdeau
The weekend of Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15, daily program 11 am to 5 pm both days
FREE PARKING & ADMISSION
814-946-0048
Fort tours 1 Mon-Sat. 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 45
Centred Outdoors Looking for a good way to get acquainted with your local parks and hiking trails? The Centred Outdoors programs created by ClearWater Conservancy aims to engage the community in outdoor activities in and around Happy Valley. Join Centred Outdoors on June 24 or June 27 to hike the Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor in Port Matilda. Explore the wildflower meadows and be sure to bring binoculars to observe the diverse community of birds, mammals, plants, pollinators and amphibians. Explore Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte on July 1 or July 4 to learn the history behind the park’s features and about the ongoing restoration of the watershed. For a little more of a fitness hike, join Centred Outdoors for a climb up Mt. Nittany on July 22 or July 25. Explore the rest of the Centred Outdoors calendar here: centredoutdoors.org/calendar‑of‑events
Fort Roberdeau. Photo courtesy Jeffrey Robison Photography
Spikes Baseball Games Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Name a better way to spend a summer evening at a baseball game with family or friends. We can’t think of many! The State College Spikes season officially started June 16, when the team takes on the Williamsport Crosscutters at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The team is seeking their third championship since 2014 and will play 38 home games, giving you plenty of opportunities to see them in action. The summer is packed with great promotions so be sure to check statecollegespikes.com to see when fan favorites such as Bark in the Park and Cowboy Monkey Rodeo will return. Don’t forget to take advantage of $1 beer Thursdays, Half‑craft Wednesdays and Monday Buck Day ($1 hot dogs, $1 peanuts and $1 small sodas all game long)!
The Sky’s the Limit Ballooning Lemont Isn’t Happy Valley beautiful? Mount Nittany, rolling hills and farmland, the arboretum at Penn State… We could go on and on. The point is, we get to enjoy the beauty of Happy Valley every day, but it’s not often you get to see the scenic landscape from above. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of beautiful Happy Valley on a hot air balloon ride. Make it a date night or an adventure with the family. Choose from a sunrise or sunset ride, which lasts about three to four hours. Up to four passengers can join the pilot. Find out more at paballoonrides.com.
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New in Town By Leah Grubb
You can always count on great food and new restaurants to try in Happy Valley. Our dining options just keep growing. Whether you’re looking for classic American fare or an authentic cultural food experience, you can find it in Happy Valley. Here are some of the newest places to check out on your next night out!
Spats at the Grill
100 W. College Ave., second floor Nobody can deny Happy Valley lost two local favorites (and a piece of history) when the Rathskeller and Spats Café closed down in January. When they closed up shop, they took a little piece of our hearts with them. Fortunately, though, for Spats lovers, owners Duke and Monica Gastiger managed to salvage the restaurant in a small way. In collaboration with the Allen Street Grill/State College Hotel, they opened Spats at the Grill in April, which offers a combination of the New Orleans‑inspired cuisine found at Spats Café and Speakeasy with Allen Street Grill favorites. Located on the second floor of the State College Hotel, the new restaurant still offers many of Spats’ signature dishes, like jambalaya; Po’ Boys; the almond‑crusted chicken breast; red beans, rice or grits, collards and cornbread and chicken and andouille sausage gumbo. Other equally delicious menu items include crab bisque, gourmet burgers, seafood nachos, sashimi tuna tacos and Jamison lamb chops. If you haven’t been to Spats at the Grill, put it on your list for your next family dinner, date night or evening out with your friends. It’s where two Happy Valley culinary experiences collide for a memorable meal.
Troy’s Philadelphia‑Style Hoagies
2932 Benner Pike, Bellefonte Okay, you caught us! Troy’s isn’t exactly new to the area. In fact, it first opened in Bellefonte in 1994. Later, Troy re‑opened up the shop — this time on West Aaron Drive in State College (taking over the former location of Callao Café). This April, Bellefonte residents discovered they were in for a real treat. Troy’s Philadelphia‑style hoagies went back to its roots, opening a second shop in the very building where it all began. If you’re craving a cheesesteak, Troy’s is your go‑to spot. Try
Summer Fun Guide
Revival Kitchen
the True Philly, which is topped with whiz and fried onions, or one of their delightful variations on the classic, like the Happy Valley cheesesteak (with sharp provolone, fried onions, mushrooms, hot and sweet peppers) or the breakfast steak (topped with egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, sweet and hot peppers, onions and mushrooms). Not in the mood for a cheesesteak? Don’t worry! Troy’s serves up plenty of other options that make a great lunch or dinner any day of the week. Choose from chicken cheesesteaks, other Philadelphia‑style hoagies (such as the Deluxe Club or the Pastrami Sub), wraps, hot hoagies, a variety of chicken cutlets, pork sandwiches, cheeseburgers, wings, salads and even pizza! You can also get one of their shrimp, chicken or haddock dinners, home‑cut French fries, several fried sides and macaroni salad. There are also three kids’ meals to choose from, so what’s stopping you? Pack up the family and head over to enjoy some cheesesteaks!
Cajun Express II
104 E. Wilson St., Centre Hall This April, the owners of a popular local food stand, Cajun Express II, opened their highly anticipated restaurant at 104 E. Wilson St. in Centre Hall, replacing the Royal Garden Italian (Continued on page 48) 47
Restaurant. You may better know the location as the former home of the Whistle Shop. The restaurant offers all the signature dishes from their food stand that locals have come to know and love, like catfish (some of the best in town), shrimp and chicken on a stick and frog legs. However, if you’re not in the mood for Cajun cuisine, you’re in luck! The menu also includes classics like delicious pulled pork, smoked brisket, burgers, cheesesteaks, ribs and more.
Pappy Chuck’s Candy Shoppe
125 W Bishop St, Bellefonte Pappy Chuck's opened in April, and it's already part of historic downtown Bellefonte's vintage fun. This business has its storefront in an old house and features classic and old-fashioned candy, gourmet treats perfect for gift giving, and a full line of Asher's treats like chocolate covered potato chips. It's the perfect finish after a meal at The Blonde Bistro, or State Burger. Take a (delicious) step back in time, and you'll find
yourself adding this to your Bellefonte bucket list.
Bagel Crust
279 Northland Center Bagel Crust quickly became a favorite for Penn State students when it opened at 332 E. Calder Way and for other State College residents when it opened its second location at 460 Westerly Parkway. The popular breakfast spot, serving up delicious New York‑style bagels, just opened its third location — at 279 Northland Center. Located right off North Atherton Street, the shop is a quick and easy stop for many on the way to work. With three shops in town, it’s clear Bagel Crust has won over our hearts (and our taste buds) here in Happy Valley. If you’ve never been to one of their locations, now’s the time to go. The breakfast sandwiches are too delicious to pass up, but you can’t go wrong with one of their tasty omelets, which comes with home fries and a bagel or toast. For all the iced coffee lovers, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to try one here!
Revival Kitchen
64 S Main St., Reedsville When owners Liz and Quintin Wicks closed Revival Kitchen on 6 N. Main St. in Reedsville, they reassured loyal customers they had big plans for the future and the restaurant would re‑open in a new location soon. As promised, they recently announced their new location: 64 S. Main St., Reedsville. Fans of this popular eatery are no doubt counting down the days until its re‑opening (tentatively set for early winter 2018). Until then, you can get your fill at Revival Kitchen’s numerous pop‑ups in the area. Visit revivalkitchen.com/shop to see where they’ll be next. It’s no wonder Revival Kitchen is a favorite for so many of us here in Happy Valley. Their farm‑to‑table mentality hooked us from the start. The ever‑changing menu is carefully crafted and always fresh, boasting the best of locally‑sourced ingredients currently in season. Their partners include local suppliers such as Hostetler’s Naturals, Brummer’s Farm, Village Acres, Wilson’s Meats, Goot Essa and McBurney Manor.
DID WE MISS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE NEW BUSINESSES?
With so many great new places to try in Happy Valley, you’re in for a summer full of delicious food! Let us know on social media (@happyvalleypsu).
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Summer Fun Guide
Summer at The Inn: Tapas, Tight Lines and T‑bones Since 1931, The Nittany Lion Inn has defined Penn State luxury. It pairs nostalgia with world‑class amenities and dining to create a memorable experience. Best of all, you don’t have to stay there to enjoy their award‑winning dining experiences like their summer PA on the Patio, or scrumptious steakhouse menu. Catch up with friends this summer at one of The Inn’s summer picks:
Summer Fun Guide
Photo courtesy The Nittany Lion Inn
PA on the Patio It’s a new season of PA on the Patio, with a chance to enjoy new tapas with old friends. There’s nothing like the slow‑paced days of summer in Happy Valley. Add chef‑inspired, grilled tapas and craft beers to the equation and you have the perfect way to kick off a summer weekend. Friday evenings starting in late spring, The Nittany Lion Inn invites you to PA on the Patio — a culinary experience centered around a summertime favorite — grilling. Featuring a full tapas menu and the best in Pennsylvania micro brews and spirits, PA on the Patio will be the best after‑work meet‑up in town. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., enjoy all‑you‑care‑to‑eat delicious tapas, prepared on the wood‑fired grill. Grab a local craft brew, and relax with friends. Come back to the patio often, all summer long (weather permitting). Each (Continued on page 50) 49
Friday will feature different local foods and producers, so you never know what tasty new favorite you’ll discover! No reservations are necessary. The Nittany Lion Inn offers valet parking, or park in the convenient Nittany Deck and get your ticket validated at the front desk.
Steakhouse Menu at the Dining Room Due to the success of their Steakhouse Saturdays, they now offer Nittany Lion Inn Steakhouse seven days a week! New chef Marissa Schaeffer has created a curated steakhouse menu with dishes like seared duck, roasted tomato and mushroom pasta and pork shank osso bucco in addition to their premier cuts of local beef cooked to order, and served with seasonal soup du jour or fresh salad (or their famous lobster bisque for a small upcharge), and your choice of a loaded baked potato or their signature mashed potatoes. Pair it with one of their nearly 600 wine choices or brews for the perfect meal!
Winesday The middle of the week is cause for celebration at Whiskers! Every Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., enjoy the world‑class wines that helped The Nittany Lion Inn earn the Wine Spectator “Best Of ” Award of Excellence. The award‑winning wine is served with delicious food in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.
Tight Lines Package They offer other outdoor adventure packages, including their Tight Line package that highlights our local prime fly‑fishing spots and includes an overnight at The Nittany Lion Inn, unguided world‑class fishing in the Little Juniata River (with guided experiences available). Professional fly‑fishing guides and instructors will take care of all the details, ensuring that you enjoy your quality time with family and friends! Call 800‑233‑7505 for more information and reservations.
Photo courtesy The Nittany Lion Inn 50
Summer Fun Guide
Tap Takeovers, Brunches and Burgers at The Penn Stater The Penn Stater’s location in Innovation Park makes it the perfect location for a business lunch (none of the hassle of downtown traffic or parking garages), slow Sunday brunches or a celebratory burger and beer with friends.
America’s Bounty Buffet Enjoy this luscious buffet on Fridays and Saturdays with entrees like sesame‑seared tuna, grilled Mahi Mahi, blue cheese potato flatbread, and more. Enjoy a bit of everything, including luscious salads, pates, international cheeses, fruits, artisan breads and shrimp. Dessert offerings include fresh‑baked desserts and famous Berkey Creamery ice cream! It’s the perfect end to a weekend stay in Happy Valley, and a perfect standalone event to celebrate the weekend! Take the whole family — kids 6‑12 are half price, and 5 and under are free!
Sunday Brunch The Penn Stater’s brunch buffet has been named the best in the
Photo courtesy The Penn Stater
region by State College Magazine, and after one bite you’ll know why. Enjoy your complimentary mimosa or champagne with breakfast dishes like apple pancakes with white chocolate and cinnamon sauce, and lunch entrees like Cajun‑spiced leg of lamb with cornbread stuffing, alongside their weekly featured items: omelet station, Belgian waffles, salad bar, dessert table and much more. Reservations are recommended! Call 814‑863‑5090.
Tap Takeovers Head out to Legends Pub on Tap Takeovers! Stop by for complimentary appetizers from the kitchen, chat with the brewery reps on‑site to hand out samples, give away great prizes every hour and tell you a little bit more about each brewery. Check thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu to find more details about the next tap takeover.
Burgers and Brews
Photo courtesy The Penn Stater
Summer Fun Guide
In the mood for a juicy burger? Join the Brews and Burgers Club, and anytime you buy 12 craft brews, you’ll get a free legendary burger fixed to your liking. Legends’ craft brew menu features PA favorites like Rusty Rails, Victory Brewing Company, Erie Brewing Company, and Lancaster Brewing Company, as well as craft brews from throughout the U.S. Try the Penn State burger, Pennsylvania cordon bleu burger, seared panko salmon burger, or another delicious favorite from their menu. One thing’s for sure — once you’ve tasted the delicious craft beers and juicy burgers, you’ll be coming back for more. Join the club — stop by Legends, fill out a registration card, and begin your Legendary brew journey today! 51
Seasonal Food Favorites By Holly Riddle
Every season comes with an array of flavors, a bounty of culinary experiences that take our minds back to seasons past — pumpkin spice and apple pie in the fall, gingerbread and hot cocoa in the winter, the first asparagus shoots and salads of spring. Then summer comes with its sizzling barbecues, juicy watermelon, farm‑fresh corn on the cob and fruity pitchers of your favorite backyard beverages. 52
Maine Bay & Berry
With Happy Valley’s abundance of local farmers and producers, just a short drive from downtown and appearing downtown regularly at farmers markets and festivals, it’s easier than ever to bring the flavors of the season to your family. However, if you don’t consider yourself America’s next Top Chef, many of Happy Valley’s talented restauranteurs combine fresh ingredients for upscale and ultra‑locavore dining experiences. So, what are you waiting for? Check out some of our favorite spots for dining and shopping this summer, to experience all the best summertime flavors.
Maine Bay & Berry
Barn at Lemont, 201 Elmwood St. A relatively new State College business, Maine Bay & Berry provides shoppers with an unexpectedly delightful first for the area — wild caught fresh seafood, pulled from the ocean just
Summer Fun Guide
a day before. How is it done? The owners’ supreme dedication to the finest products means they’re personally evaluating the fresh‑caught seafood and driving it in from the coasts of Maine and Maryland twice a week, and the difference shows. Up the culinary ante at your next barbecue, by throwing some fresh seafood on the grill (you’ll want to follow the Maine Bay & Berry Facebook page to stay up to date on all the latest offerings) or host a summertime crawfish or Maryland blue crab boil. What better way to end your July 4 picnic than with a fresh blueberry pie made with real Maine blueberries? Plus, these new business‑owners are happy to share their tips and tricks on making the best use of their products; just stop into the Barn at Lemont and say hi!
Hublersburg Inn
449 Hublersburg Rd., Hublersburg The historic Hublersburg Inn serves up fresh menus reflecting foods that are local and in season. This year they have teamed up with Nick Pavlak of Homegrown Flavor Co. and installed their own organic vegetable and herb gardens. Nick and Chef Cody Pierce will create feature cocktails, infused spirits, fresh salads and seasonal menu items with the produce grown at the inn and
neighboring farms. Potatoes from Ardry’s, corn from Nolan’s, Berries from Bee Tree and cheeses from Goot Essa are just a few of the sources located within five miles of the Inn. Fresh salads are always popular in the summer when produce is at its peak. The Strawberry Feta salad with local strawberries, feta cheese, spinach, almonds and a basil vinaigrette is a summer favorite. The current early summer feature menu offers numerous salad choices like the Asian Ahi Tuna Salad, Fresh Chopped Salad and the Hubie Wedge. And the vegetarian Summer Vegetable Tacos with brussel sprouts, roasted corn, tomatoes, chipotle slaw and sweet chili aioli are quickly becoming one of the most popular items on the menu. As the summer progresses, the features will continue to reflect the local abundance. Weekend brunch at the Hubie is a real treat. Try one of their five different Eggs Benedict options, which include fried chicken, crab cake and crispy pork belly. What is summer without a good cocktail on a hot summer day? Homegrown Flavor Co. is a local company that creates homemade bitters, shrubs, gastriques and infusions that are used in the handcrafted cocktails that the Inn is well known for. The Strawberry Rhubarb Collins, Fisherman’s Margarita with mint picked fresh from the herb garden or the Kaffir Lime infused gin gimlet they make from Big Spring Spirits gin are all must try’s while sitting on the patio! Menus and events can be found on the Hublersburg Inn Facebook page and website.
The Deli Restaurant & Z Bar
113 Heister St. At The Deli Restaurant & Z Bar, there’s no end to the fresh veggies, with endless salad options ranging from a warm goat cheese salad, to Greek salad, to a Thai chicken salad. All the dressings are homemade and all the produce is locally sourced, for the perfect bite every time. Wash it all down with the Deli’s selection of flavored iced teas, fruit smoothies, lemonades and other “ades.” For dessert, what better summer classic than a root beer float? Particularly when the root
Summer Fun Guide
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict at the Hublersburg Inn
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in tempting flavors like blood orange, chocolate‑covered cherry and chocolate peanut butter cup.
Port Matilda Hotel and Tavern
201 W. Plank Rd., Port Matilda Hotel Enjoy a casual, no‑frills atmosphere where the food is quality and the people are, too, when you visit the Port Matilda Hotel and Tavern. Stop in for a plate piled high with bone‑in or boneless wings, smothered in Mr. B’s Buffalo sauce, a crowd favorite. Pair them with a side of seasoned curly cries and a frosty beer and you’ll be set for a summer evening filled with fun, friends and good food. Other menu items that we can’t get enough of include the quesadillas (which you can get Photo courtesy HiWay Pizza Pub with cheese, chicken, steak or barbecue pork); cheese sticks; onion rings; cheesesteaks; and, of beer is topped with delicious and locally produced Meyer Dairy course, everyone’s favorite summer picnic side dishes, potato and ice cream! macaroni salads. Light summer options can also be found on the brunch menu, where you can choose from hit‑the‑spot frittattas served alongside Check out the Port Matilda Hotel and Tavern on Facebook for updates on all events and specials. a field green salad, with options ranging from mushroom and cheddar to smoked salmon and asparagus.
HiWay Pizza Pub
1688 N. Atherton St./1301 W. College Ave. The pizza cravings don’t end just because its swimsuit season! At HiWay Pizza Pub, you can enjoy not only great, veggie‑filled pie options, but also a few menu items that are a little more waistline‑friendly, so you can still hit the water at Raystown Lake without giving up your favorite eats. The Veggie pie comes topped with roasted mixed veggies, onions and three types of cheese, while the Spinoccoli is all about the green, with fresh spinach, broccoli, tomatoes and pesto. The salads include your classic Greek and chopped varieties, but also an Italian Cobbini salad with chicken, gorgonzola, bacon, sun‑dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, olives and more, for a summertime salad that’ll stick to your ribs. Craving a cool sweet treat? Indulge in an Italian cream soda, 54
Kimchi Korean Restaurant
Summer Fun Guide
Kimchi Korean Restaurant
1110 N. Atherton St. Dying to get out of town this summer for a whirlwind vacation, but sticking around a little bit longer? Start your vacation early by taking your taste buds on a trip to flavor town. Kimchi Korean Restaurant serves up exotic and unique Korean cuisine for every diner, whether you’re a long‑time fan or new to the menu. Try some of the townie favorites such as the bulgogi (sliced ribeye in homemade barbecue sauce), tofu dolsot (tofu, radishes, sprouts, carrots and mushrooms over rice); and galbi (beef short ribs); and obviously kimchi. Whatever your choice, enjoy it with one of the most popular Korean dishes, kimchi — spicy fermented cabbage, a staple side dish and the namesake of this restaurant.
McLanahan’s Downtown Market
116 S. Allen St. For another great place to shop for farm‑fresh produce this summer, you can’t beat the convenience of McLanahan’s Downtown Market. The fruits and veggies are delivered daily, and they offer many prepared food items from local producers as well, such as Herlocher’s mustard for your brats and Jeff’s Salsas for those late‑night backyard fiestas. Better yet, many of the items offered are all‑natural, organic and non‑GMO, so you can rest assured you’re serving your family only the best.
North Atherton Farmers Market
nathertonmarket.com On Saturdays from May-November, North Atherton Farmers Market meets in the Home Depot parking lot, offering up fares like seasonal berries, goat cheese, specialty breads, Fasta & Ravioli pastas and much, much more. Be sure to save some room for some of their prepared food vendors, and make it a farm fresh outdoor picnic!
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Cool Down in the Inferno This Summer Inferno Brick Oven & Bar is in for some big changes this summer. It’s celebrating its 10th anniversary with some updates like new 4K HD TVs and a state‑of‑the‑art audio system that spills the soundtrack of summer out into their outdoor dining area. Their menu is going to keep their signature favorites, like the blistery‑perfect 10” artisan pizzas baked in their brick ovens at 700 degrees, but will be adding in to add some new options. They are now offering Neopolitan pizza by the slice until 3:30 Monday through Friday, along with a newcomer to the local food scene: Photo courtesy Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife
Detroit‑style pizza. This square, thick‑crust, crispy‑bottomed pizza comes with its own unique dough, sauce, cheese and toppings all made and baked in‑house from scratch daily. New takes on stromboli and calzones will now be added to your bucket list. You can still find paninis, fresh salads and other modern Italian plates on their new menu. They are also introducing a frozen drink machine just in time for summer. With tongue‑in‑cheek names like “Freisling” and “Frosé,” these frozen cocktails are equal parts delicious and fun, made with the high quality ingredients you’ve come to expect. Inferno is part of the Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife family who are known for trend‑forecasting, great pizza and made‑from‑scratch everything. Fifty‑five years ago, Andy Zangrilli started HiWay Pizza in the same building Inferno now inhabits. Over the years, he introduced the area to pizza boxes (he rode the bus to Altoona to buy shirt boxes), vodka sauce he’d first tasted in Italy, and buffalo wings he’d sampled in Atlanta. In recent years, they brought in the first nitro coffee. So it’s no wonder that Inferno is following in these footsteps with inventive new frozen drinks, and returning more deeply to their pizza‑making DNA in the spot where it all began. Head back to Inferno this summer for a casual but sophisticated lunch and dinner, and after hours for modern cocktails, Italian wine and craft beer while taking in the night’s sports action on the various new screens. Photo courtesy Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife 56
Summer Fun Guide
Award‑Winning Wines and Brews Think you have to visit a big beer‑brewing destination like Portland for top‑notch craft brews? Or the vineyards of Napa or Italy to experience the best wine around? Think again, my friend. There’s no need for you to go anywhere at all, when you have the region’s award‑winning wines and brews at your fingertips. Happy Valley just so happens to be nestled within a premiere wine‑growing region and with our bustling foodie scene, it was only a matter of time before craft breweries and cideries began popping up all over the place. Looking for just the best? These are the award‑winners you’ll find right here in Happy Valley.
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars . Photo courtesy Braden Social
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars Open Sunday‑Thursday, 11 a.m.‑5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 7 p.m., Seven Mountains Wine Cellars is the result of two life‑long wine aficionados and regional natives combining their loves of the area and wine, and we all reap the benefits! Seven Mountains is the winner of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup for both grape and fruit wines, an unheard‑of accomplishment within a single competition. Throughout the summer season, the winery offers a fun opportunity to experience the winery for yourself, with campfire sessions once a month. Guests are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, enjoy some live performances and try some barbecue from Smokin’ Hot Butts BBQ and wine and mimosas by the glass. Check their website for upcoming campfire dates, at sevenmountainswinecellars.com.
Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery has placed well in competitions as recently as this year, with double gold for their Best Dry White (Continued on page 58)
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Wine and overall Best Dry Wine at the 2018 Pennsylvania Winery Association competition, for its 2016 Chardonnay Reserve. They also took Best of Category — Other White Hybrid for their 2016 Geisenheim in the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Wine Competition. To experience these spectacular wines for yourself, make a stop at the vineyard Tuesday‑Friday, 11 a.m.‑5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.‑5 p.m. or Sunday 12‑5 p.m. Wine tasting is always free, but you can additionally arrange for a tasting and tour with your family and friends for about $8 per person. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming events.
KingView Mead Pick up something new and unexpected, when you buy a bottle of KingView Mead, crafted from honey, fruits and spices for a tantalizing concoction. Mead dates back to even before the Egyptian pharaohs and was a popular beverage throughout the centuries. KingView Mead taps into this extensive history, winning awards
for its high quality and breadth of variety. Pick from various mead options, from the Viking Grog to Sticky Peach, Happy Apple Pie to Red Honey Badger. There’s even a Blue & White mead perfect for your next tailgate, made with grapes and blueberries. In addition to the 19 available mead varieties, KingView also offers hard cider, several wine options, infusions and wedding gifts. Visit the KingView Mead tasting room at The Barn at Lemont, or if you’re traveling from out of town and can’t make it to the Barn, order a bottle or two from online. Enjoy their mead and be part of making a difference — 10 percent of their proceeds benefit a Mead‑For‑Bees program that gives back to beekeepers. Drink to save the world!
Hungry Run Wine and Spirits Another wine you can find at The Barn at Lemont, Hungry Run hails from Vira, Pa., where it was founded in 2015. The brand’s collection includes white and red wines, flavored and dessert‑style wine. The Precious Stone wine series includes five varieties inspired by sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, rubies and more. Available spirits include American whiskey, bourbon, moonshine, rum and more than 10 vodka options. At the Barn at Lemont, you can taste and purchase Hungry Run wines, but if you’re interested in their spirits, you’ll have to place an order ahead of time, to pick up your purchase at the Barn at a later date. You’ll also find Hungry Run Wine and Spirits at upcoming wine and spirits festivals, including Wine Down Weekend in Huntingdon, Sept. 1, and the Sandyvale Wine Festival in Johnstown, Sept. 8.
— AVAILABLE AT —
THE BARN AT LEMONT Two Wineries • Free Tasting Open 7 days a week 201 Elmwood St. State College, PA 16801
lemontbarn.com Photo courtesy Heather Scully Photography 58
Summer Fun Guide
Elk Creek Café & Aleworks This Millheim eatery and alehouse offers award‑winning ales and food with a local slant. The head brewer Tim Yarrington has worked in Jersey and Manhattan and has won gold and bronze for his Porter and Bitter ales at the Great American Beer Festival. The café has likewise received nods for its cuisine. Try the limited menu, which focus on quality over quantity, with dinner options like the local grilled cheese, beer‑battered fish and chips, chana masala and smoked pulled pork sandwiches. With more than 20 local food partners, you’re guaranteed a range of options that are both good and good for the local farms and producers. If you’re visiting, there’s one thing for sure — there’s always something good going on here, between free shows through the week and ticketed weekend shows of all kinds. Not your average bar, you won’t find TVs on the wall, but you will find plenty of local art and both touring and local artists and musicians.
Big Spring Spirits A craft distillery in Bellefonte, Big Spring Spirits creates award‑winning spirits they then transform into magnificent craft cocktails. The bar menu is equally pleasing, with unique, seasonal fare provided by MJ Custom Craft Cooking. It’s all set along beautiful Talleyrand Park, in a historic, Gold LEED‑certified facility. Sip on cocktails like the Key Lime Pie, Earnest Daiquiri and H20 Melon. Many of the cocktails additionally include locally‑sourced ingredients, such as shrubs from Tait Farm. Not a spirits fan? Big Springs also serves favorite beers and ciders from around the state. There are lots of events throughout the summer, including many musical performances. You can also catch the monthly Science Pub event, during which local experts discuss scientific topics of interest to the general public, such as the health benefits of chocolate! Want to experience all that Happy Valley has to offer by way of delicious bubbles and brews while you’re in the area? Traverse the Central PA Tasting Trail, for stops at more than 12 unique venues, including breweries, cideries and wineries. Take your $35 tasting trail passport with you to all 12 venues and receive a free gift at each; visit all 12 within a year and receive a Central PA Tasting Trail sweatshirt.
Summer Fun Guide
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Local B&Bs and Lodges Offer the Perfect Weekend Getaway Every fan coming back to Happy Valley for home games (or a summer festival weekend) has a must‑do list: ice cream at the Penn State Berkey Creamery or Meyer Dairy, lunch at The Corner Room, maybe a photo at the Nittany Lion Shrine. Coming home to the place of your glory days is an experience you hope will feel the same each time. But you can heighten that experience by changing it up. Keep your Penn State traditions, but don’t be afraid to reboot your weekend by staying somewhere off the beaten path. Choices abound, with local bed and breakfasts and lodges that offer spectacular views, great food and great stories. Here are some of our top picks. Take a look, and if you like what you see, book as early as possible. Many of these fill up a year in advance.
Gage Mansion
317 Penn St., Huntingdon; 814‑599‑2803; gagemansion.com Gage Mansion in Huntingdon is a three‑story Victorian home built in 1896 by Colonel George Gage, a superintendent of the Huntingdon and Broad Top short line railroads. It still has most of the stunning details that Colonel Gage built into the house, including six Italian tile fireplaces, a three story staircase with beautifully carved newel posts, elaborate electric chandeliers with gas candelabras (as electricity was not reliable at the time) and 13 stained glass windows. When the current owners purchased the property in 2014, they brought modern amenities to the guest rooms such as private, en suite bathrooms, Photo courtesy Gage Mansion individually controlled heating and air conditioning, WiFi, digital TV and comfortably luxurious furnishings. Perfect venue for: bridal showers, baby showers, small weddings, weekend getaways for anniversaries, proposals, birthdays or just to clear your mind and relax. They have a lovely side yard and gazebo for outdoor events too! They are located in the heart of downtown Huntingdon near dining, hiking, biking and paddling. You’ll love: The scratch‑made breakfast, and three‑course brunches held on the second Sunday of every month.
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Riffles and Runs
217 N Spring St., Bellefonte; 814‑353‑8109; rifflesandruns.com A love of fly fishing was the inspiration for naming Riffles and Runs. With Spring Creek in their back yard, they attract many fishermen, but even those who don’t fish will fall in love with this spacious Victorian house with its European‑style accommodations. It is in close proximity to shopping, The Bellefonte Art Mu‑ seum, Centre County Historical Library, The American Philatelic Re‑ search Library, Talleyrand Park and restaurants. Perfect venue for: Riffles and Runs rocks bridal wedding brunches. Brides and bridesmaids can stay the night and enjoy a special wedding brunch before they get ready for their big day. You’ll love: Two things. First is its cool link with history. In the early 1900s, publisher Sylvia Beach spent much time living with her grandparents in this house. She later went on to Paris to open “Shakespeare and Company,” the most famous bookshop lending library in the world. It’s where James Joyce’s “Ulysses” was first published and books like “Lady Chatterly’s Lover,” banned in England and the US, were available. Secondly, you’ll love the comfortable, homelike atmosphere and delicious home‑cooked breakfast.
Our Fair Lady
313 E Linn St., Bellefonte; 814‑355‑1117; ourfairladybnb.com Built as a love gift from a Victorian lumber baron to his wife in 1883, Our Fair Lady is one of Bellefonte’s lovely ‘painted ladies.’ Her history is just as illustrious as her facade. During WWII, she became a rooming house for married women as they waited for husbands to return from battle. In 2008, she was bought by Bob and Tami Schuster. The Schusters met during high school in the production of My Fair Lady. Bob built and designed the scenery and Tami was Eliza Doolittle. They started dating after the play, and then went on to college — Bob to Penn State and Tami to Duquesne. Upon graduation, the pair got married. They Photo courtesy lived in Virginia for over 20 years Our Fair Lady before moving to Bellefonte and purchasing the house. They began major renovations to restore it to its original glory (with a few added modern comforts). In tribute to their beginning romance, they named the house “Our Fair Lady, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast.” The house has been a hit with guests — Our Fair Lady has received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the past three years for the consistent achievement of high ratings from travelers. Perfect venue for: teas, bridal showers and small intimate weddings. They host wine‑pairing dinners and murder mystery dinners throughout the year. They also have common areas to accommodate business retreats. You’ll love: The elegance of the house blended with your ultimate comfort and feeling pampered.
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Earlystown Manor
The Inn at Solvang
Earlystown Manor in Centre Hall is proud to be a home away from home to every guest who stays with them. Enjoy the luxury of seven spacious guest rooms with the timeless, classy décor and the option to customize your stay with a private catered dinner or a romantic package. In addition to being a proud bed & breakfast, they host outdoor weddings with up to 500 guests, as well as intimate indoor events for up to 60. They adore Photo courtesy Earlystown Manor being a part of every memorable moment celebrated at their beautiful location. The complimentary breakfast is a source of pride for this bed & breakfast. The owner, Robert Vogely, is a classically‑trained French chef, who has owned many businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industries over the years.
The Inn at Solvang is a B&B with a Norwegian flair. Sitting on 80 aces of wooded land, this beautiful inn features an authentic Norwegian Stabbur (granary building) that serves as a cabin you can rent. This historic home was built in 1938, and is still owned by the original owner’s family. It’s been operating as a B&B for 25 years.
2024 Earlystown Rd., Centre Hall; 814‑466‑6481; earlystownmanor.com
Perfect venue for: The beautiful bedrooms, catering options and breath‑taking location make the Earlystown Manor ideal for peaceful trips to the area, football weekends and special occasions like weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties and more. You’ll love: This home away from home has panoramic views everywhere you turn. Enjoy a private orchard, expansive gardens and beautiful mountain scenery, perfectly nestled just 10 minutes from Penn State University.
Earlystown Manor
Book a Room | Weddings | Event Services | Catering | Tailgates
earlystownmanor.com | 814-466-6481
2024 Earlystown Rd., Centre Hall • earlystownmanorevents@gmail.com
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10611 Standing Stone Rd Huntingdon; 814‑643‑3035 huntingdonbedandbreakfast.com
Perfect venue for: an active getaway. It’s located near Raystown Lake with its many trails, boating and biking opportunities. They also have an onsite stream for kayaking and fishing, and secure storage for mountain bikes — a big perk for riders bound for the Aligrippis trail! In the mood to indulge and relax instead? Their onsite massage services, nearby golf course Photo courtesy Inn at Solvang and elegant breakfasts will make it a getaway to remember. You’ll love: the deer (and sometimes bear!) that saunter through the front lawn. You’ll also love the gourmet breakfast that is made from scratch from the family’s own stone‑ground flour and cage‑free eggs.
The Queen
176 E Linn St., Bellefonte; 814‑355‑7946; thequeenbnb.com Take a step back into a more elegant time in one of The Queen’s spacious rooms or separate guest house. The Queen is another of Bellefonte’s painted ladies, and offers a full Victorian experience. Choose from the master bedroom suite decorated as if the original owner, Anne, just left, or opt for a simpler décor in Nanny’s Attic with a massage shower or The Governors Suite with its sitting room in the turret and colPhoto courtesy The Queen lection of fly fishing books signed by local authors. Relax in a Victorian parlour with working Victrola, player piano and stereoptic viewer. Sit on the front porch and enjoy the quiet evening while sipping a mint tea and watch the neighbors enjoy caring for their beautiful homes. Walk to the historic commercial district and purchase a unique gift or enjoy fine dining in a charming Victorian village. Perfect venue for: Football weekends, intimate weddings, girls’ getaways and extended stays — the Maid’s Quarters apartment features a full kitchen, bath and laundry, and the Guest House offers three bedroom accommodations for even more friends and family. You’ll love: Their indulgent, gourmet breakfast served in the large dining room with antique glassware and linens. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the patio where you can also enjoy the certified pollinator gardens and certified backyard wildlife habitat.
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Bear Meadows Lodge 744 Dean Hill Road, Wellsboro; 570‑724‑2428 bearmeadowslodge.com
Head out of town for a one‑of‑a‑kind getaway at the Penn‑ sylvania Grand Canyon with Bear Meadows Lodge. They offer upscale accommodations with each guest room including a gas fireplace, silent air conditioning and in‑suite private bath. Most rooms also have a private deck with hot tub, or an indoor whirlpool tub. In 2005, owner Jim Meade opened his home as a north woods styled bed and breakfast. He “helped” the builders stay on schedule by working evenings on areas he saw needed help. At one point, he asked if they would meet an upcoming deadline. “Only if the weather holds up and you quit helping,” they said. Today, he’s learned his lesson and stays out of the daily B&B work, leaving it to the women who expertly run the property.
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Perfect venue for: romantic getaways, especially for anniversaries and honeymoons, and many guests come here to bicycle on the 62‑mile Pine Creek Rail Trail or to mountain bike or to hike. You’ll love: The cleanliness, privacy and comfort of the rooms are what guests love the most, along with the friendliness of the b&b staff. It goes without saying that you’ll fall in love with the view, too.
Photo courtesy Bear Meadows Lodge
Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley!
Live
Local Services Accuweather accuweather.com 814‑237‑0309
Catholic Campus Ministry psucatholic.org Central PA Conv & Visitors Bureau visitpennstate.org 800‑358‑5466 Fraser Condos frasercondos.com 866‑445‑5718 Karch Auto karchauto.com 814‑238‑2886 Mount Nittany Medical Center mountnittany.org 814‑231‑7000
Richard Testa Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Cell: 585‑739‑3521 RichTesta@gmail.com
Salons, Spas & Gyms A Step Beyond Massage Therapy astepbeyondmassage therapy.com 814‑441‑9331 EsSpa at the Carnegie Inn & Spa esspa.us 814‑380‑9772
Realty
Play
Summer Fun Guide
Golf Courses
Central PA Conv & Visitors Bureau visitpennstate.org 800‑358‑5466
Fort Roberdeau fortroberdeau.org 814‑946‑0048 FUSE Productions fuseproductions.org Happy Valley’s Got Talent tidesprogram.org Infusion at Penn State PennStateInfusion.org
The State Theatre thestatetheatre.org 814‑272‑0606
Titan Fitness titanfitness.com 814‑235‑1015
Heritage Realty Group heritagerealtystatecollege. com 814‑231‑0101
Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion boalmuseum.com 814‑876‑0129
Lionheart Fitness lionheartgyms.com 814‑238‑4617
TriYoga pennsylvaniayoga.com 814‑364‑2435
Fine Line Homes finelinehomes.com 814‑237‑5581
Blue White Media bluewhite‑media.com 814‑308‑9794
Palmer Museum of Art palmermuseum.psu.edu 814‑865‑7672
The North Club thenorthclub.com 814‑237‑1510
Associated Realty Property Mgmt arpm.com 814‑231‑3333
Tempest Productions, Inc. tempestproductions.org 866‑248‑5091
Crossfit Lionheart crossfitlionheart.com 814‑238‑4617
State College Community Land Trust scclandtrust.org 814‑867‑0656
The Apartment Store apartmentstore.com/ state‑college/ 800‑553‑2539
Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest centralpatheatre.com
Mountain View Golf mtviewcountryclub.com 814‑466‑7231 Penn State Golf Courses pennstategolfcourses.com 814‑865‑4653 Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Center toftrees.com 800‑234‑8000 Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com 814‑466‑6266
Around Happy Valley A Basket Full basket‑full.com 814‑466‑7788
Dutch Fall Fest Aaronsburgcc.org Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau raystown.org 814‑658‑0060 Lincoln Caverns lincolncaverns.com 814‑643‑0268 Northland Bowl northlandbowl.com 814‑237‑1500 Nittany Antique Machinery Show Nittanyantique.org PA Military Museum pamilmuseum.org 814‑466‑6263
Arts and Culture Bellefonte Art Museum of Centre County bellefontemuseum.org 814‑355‑4280 Bryce Jordan Center bjc.psu.edu 814‑863‑5500 Center for the Performing Arts cpa.psu.edu 814‑863‑0255
Carnegie Inn & Spa 65
Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley! Pappy Chuck’s Candy Shop 814‑353‑4498
State College Spikes statecollegespikes.com 814‑272‑1711
Barrel 21 barrel21distillery.com 814‑308‑9522
Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com 814‑466‑6266
Beer Belly’s Beverage beerbellysbeverage.com 814‑237‑2739
Penn State Alumni alumni.psu.edu 800‑548‑LION
Vamos Lion Chariot vamoslion.com 814‑404‑2782
Belinda’s Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern 814‑692‑4097
Penn State Baseball gopsusports.com 814‑272‑0208
Whata‑Blast Lasertag whatablastlasertag.com 814‑234‑8740
Brewsky’s Bottle Shop brewskys.us 814‑272‑1074
Penn State Homecoming homecoming.psu.edu
WPSU wpsu.org
Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park pennscave.com 814‑364‑1664
Eat
Elk Creek Café + Aleworks elkcreekcafé.net 814‑349‑8850
Penn State All‑Sports Museum gopsusports.com/museum/ 814‑865‑0044
Ridge Soaring Gliderport eglider.org 814‑355‑2483 Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center shaverscreek.org 814‑863‑2000
Breweries, Distilleries and Distributors
bar bleu dantesinc.com/locations/ bar‑bleu 814‑237‑0374
Happy Valley Brewing Company happyvalleybeer.com 814‑234‑4406 The Hopshop dantesinc.com/locations/ the‑hopshop/ 814‑308‑9808
Liberty Craft House dantesinc.com/locations/ liberty‑craft‑house/ 814‑954‑4923
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars sevenmountainswine cellars.com 814‑364‑1000
Local Whiskey happyvalleyrestaurants. com/#localwhiskey 814‑272‑6831
Restaurants
Otto’s Pub & Brewery ottospubandbrewery.com 814‑867‑6886 Phyrst happyvalleyrestaurants. com/#phyrst 814‑238‑1406 Robin Hood Brewing Co. robinhoodbrewingco.com 814‑237‑7777 The Saloon HomeOfTheMonkeyBoy. com 814‑234‑1344 Taste Buds Kitchen tastebudskitchen.com/ statecollege 814‑238‑1212 Z Bar at The Deli Restaurant TheDeliRestaurant.com 814‑237‑5710
Wineries and Cideries
Bella Vino Wine Bar facebook.com/pg/Wineand‑ CafeonthePark 814‑355‑2658 Good Intent Cider goodintentcider.com 717‑778‑8171 Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery thehappyvalleywinery.com 814‑308‑8756
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars 66
Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery mtnittanywinery.com 814‑466‑6373
Allegro Restaurant allegro‑restaurant.com 814‑946‑5216 American Ale House americanalehouse.net 814‑237‑9701 The Arena Bar & Grill thearenabarandgrill.com 814‑237‑8833 bar bleu dantesinc.com/locations/ bar‑bleu/ 814‑237‑0374 Barrel 21 barrel21distillery.com 814‑308‑9522 Brothers’ Pizza brotherspizzacentrehall. com 814‑364‑9817 (Centre Hall) 814‑234‑4200 (State College) 814‑355‑4562 (Wingate) Carnegie Inn & Spa carnegieinnandspa.com 814‑234‑2424 Champs Sports Grill champssportsgrill.net 814‑238‑7788 (1611 N. Atherton St.) champsdowntown.com 814‑238‑1110 (139 S. Allen St.) The Deli Restaurant TheDeliRestaurant.com 814‑237‑5710 The Dining Room (at The Nittany Lion Inn) nittanylioninn.psu.edu 814‑865‑8590
Summer Fun Guide
Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley! Edgewater Inn and Riverside Grill edgewaterinnandriverside‑ grill.com 814‑669‑4144 The Field Burger and Tap toftrees.com/restaurant 814‑234‑8000 The Gardens Restaurant (at the Penn Stater) thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu 814‑863‑5090 Garfields Restaurant & Pub garfields.net 814‑231‑1301 Gigi’s Southern Table Gigisdining.com 814‑861‑3463 Happy Valley Brewing Company happyvalleybeer.com 814‑234 4406 Harrison’s Wine Grill harrisonsmenu.com 814‑237‑4422 HiWay Pizza Pub North HiwayPizza.com 814‑237‑0375 HiWay Pizza Pub West HiwayPizza.com 814‑954‑5240 Hog Father’s Old Fashioned BBQ hogfathersbbq.com 814‑231‑122 Home Delivery Pizza Pub homedeliverypizza.net 814‑357‑8399 Hublersburg Inn hublersburginn.com 814‑383‑2616 Inferno Brick Oven & Bar InfernoBrickOvenBar.com 814‑237‑5718
Kimchi Korean Restaurant kimchistatecollege.com 814‑237‑2096 Legends (at the Penn Stater) thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu 814‑ 863‑ 5080 Liberty Craft House dantesinc.com/locations/ liberty‑craft‑house 814‑954‑4923 Maine Bay and Berry mainebayandberry.com 833‑624‑6322 Otto’s Pub & Brewery ottospubandbrewery.com 814‑867‑6886 Perkins perkinsrestaurants.com 814‑237‑0307 Pizza Mia! wearepizzamia.com 814‑355‑3738 (Bellefonte) 814‑234‑1606 (State College) 570‑893‑1700 (Lock Haven) P.J. Harrigan’s pjharrigans.com 814‑235‑3009
Sweet Scoops brotherspizzacentrehall. com 814‑364‑1141 Tarragon Restaurant (at the Atherton Hotel) Athertonhotel.net/ eat‑drink/tarragon‑restau‑ rant.htm 814‑231‑2100 Taste of the Valley facebook.com/TastOfThe‑ Valley 717‑935‑0050 Texas Roadhouse texasroadhouse.com 814-235-7427 The View at Mountain View Country Club mtviewcountryclub.com/ theview 814‑466‑7231 Way Cafe and Bakery wayfruitfarm.com 814‑692‑5211
Webster’s Bookstore Café webstersbookstorecafé.com 814‑272‑1410
Dante’s Restaurants, Inc. dantesinc.com 814‑234‑1344
Whiskers (at The Nittany Lion Inn) nittanylioninn.psu.edu/ Nittany LionInn/Dining/Whiskers. cfm 814‑865‑8580
Edgewater Inn and Riverside Grill edgewaterinnandriverside‑ grill.com 814‑669‑4144
Catering/Group Events
The Atherton Hotel/ Tarragon Restaurant/ Rumors Lounge athertonhotel.net 814‑231‑2100 The Arena Bar & Grill thearenabarandgrill.com 814‑237‑8833 Champs Sports Grill champssportsgrill.net 814‑234‑7700
The Gardens Restaurant (at the Penn Stater) thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu 814‑863‑5090 Gigi’s Restaurant & Wine Lounge gigisdining.com 814‑861‑3463 Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering/Above the Valley Special Event Center harrisonsmenu.com 814‑237‑4422 Happy Valley Catering by Pizza Mia! wearepizzamia.com 814‑355‑3738
Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern 814‑692‑4097 Qdoba qdoba.com 814‑861‑3288 Quaker Steak & Lube thelube.com 814‑ 237‑ 5823 Rumors Lounge (at the Atherton Hotel) Athertonhotel.net/ eat‑drink/rumors‑lounge. htm 814‑231‑2100 The Saloon HomeOfTheMonkeyBoy. com 814‑234‑1344
Inn at Solvang
Summer Fun Guide
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Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley! Lodge at Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com 814‑466‑7976 Penn State Hospitality pennstatehotels.com 800‑233‑7505 Qdoba qdoba.com 814‑861‑3288 Ramada Conference Center ramadasc.com 814‑238‑3001
CSAs / Farms / Farmers Markets / Buying Clubs Bee Tree Berry Farm 814‑383‑2134
Boalsburg Farmers Market boalsburgfarmersmarket.com 814‑692‑5211 Buy Fresh, Buy Local buylocalpa.org/centre Friday Downtown State College Farmers Market friday‑farmersmarket.com Friends and Farmers Online Market friendsandfarmers.coop 814‑933‑0879 Lemont Farmers Market lemontvillage.org/home/ lemont‑farmers‑market North Atherton Farmers Market nathertonmarket.com PA Organic/Farm Fest paorganic.org 814‑422‑0251 Tuesday Downtown State College Farmers Market facebook.com/ statecollegefarmers
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Way Fruit Farm wayfruitfarm.com 814‑692‑5211
Stay
Holiday Inn Express State College stayhvh.com 814‑867‑1800 Hublersburg Inn hublersburginn.com 814‑383‑2616
Hotels
Ingleby Lodge inglebylodge.com 814‑360‑5145
Carnegie Inn & Spa carnegieinnandspa.com 814‑234‑2424
Lock Haven Fairfield Inn and Suites marriott.com/hotels/travel/ fairfield‑inn‑and‑suites‑lock‑ haven/ 570‑263‑5034
Comfort Suites comfortsuites.com 814‑235‑1900
Milesburg Quality Inn choicehotels.com/pa660 814‑355‑7521
Country Inn and Suites countryinns.com 814‑234‑6000
Nittany Budget Motel lioncountrylodging.com 814‑238‑0015
Atherton Hotel athertonhotel.net 814‑231‑2100
Courtyard by Marriott marriott.com/hotels/travel/ scecy‑courtyard‑state‑ college 814‑238‑1881 Days Inn Penn State lioncountrylodging.com 814‑238‑8454 Econo Lodge Bellefonte econolodge.com 814‑355‑5561 Fairfield Inn & Suites State College stayhvh.com Hampton Inn & Suites State College stayhvh.com 814‑231‑1899 Happy Valley Hotels stayhvh.com Hilton Garden Inn lioncountrylodging.com 814‑272‑1221
Nittany Lion Inn nittanylioninn.psu.edu 800‑233‑7505 The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel thepennstater.psu.edu 814‑863‑5000 Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern 814‑692‑4097 Quality Inn Penn State lioncountrylodging.com 814‑234‑1600 Ramada Inn & Conference Center ramadasc.com 814‑238‑3001 Raystown Lake Fairfield Inn & Suites raystownlakehotel.com 814‑643‑3672 Residence Inn by Marriott residenceinnstatecollege. com 814‑235‑6960
Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Center Sleep Inn sleepinn.com 814‑235‑1020
Our Fair Lady Bed & Breakfast ourfairladybnb.com 814‑355‑1117
SpringHill Suites State College stayhvh.com 814‑867‑1807
The Queen Bed & Breakfast thequeenbnb.com 814‑355‑7946
Super 8 lioncountrylodging.com 814‑237‑8005 Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Center toftrees.com 800‑252‑3551
Bed & Breakfasts
Bed & Breakfast at the Rock Garden therockgardenbandb.com 814‑466‑6100 Bear Meadows Lodge bearmeadowslodge.com 570‑724‑2428 Chatelaine Bed & Breakfast chatelainebandb.com 814‑238‑2028
Reynolds Mansion reynoldsmansion.com 814‑353‑8407 Riffles and Runs B & B rifflesandruns.com 814‑353‑8109
Lodges, Cabins and Campgrounds
Godspeed Events and Lodging godspeedhostel.com 814‑554‑0024 Ingleby Lodge inglebylodge.com 814‑360‑5145 Vintner’s Inn Seven Mountains Wine Cellars vintnersinnpa.com 814‑364‑1000
Earlystown Manor earlystownmanor.com 814‑466‑6481 Gage Mansion gagemansion.com 814‑599‑2803
Summer Fun Guide
State College Spikes Set for an All‑Star Summer By Jeff Cavanaugh
After posting their fifth straight 40‑win season, the State College Spikes return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park this June with a jam‑packed schedule of affordable, family fun. The Spikes, the Short‑Season Single‑A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, have won two of the last four New York‑Penn League (NYPL) and are primed to once again bring the trophy back to Happy Valley. This season, the Spikes will host 38 regular season home games
Summer Fun Guide
State College Spikes
from June 16 through Aug. 31 as well as the New York‑Penn League All‑Star Game presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau on Tuesday, Aug. 14. The NYPL All‑Star Game is a great way for area fans to see the future stars of their favorite Major League Baseball teams right here in Central Pennsylvania. The first 1,000 fans at the All‑Star Game will receive an All‑Star Koozie presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau, and there will be spectacular fireworks following the game. As part of the All‑Star Game week in State College, the Spikes will also host an All‑Star Tailgate Gala presented by Reinhardt Foodservice on Monday, Aug. 13 and a Celebrity Softball Game featuring Penn State football legend Ki‑Jana Carter on Tuesday afternoon. Fans will have an opportunity to meet all of the NYPL All‑Stars as well as several of the Penn State legends and celebrities playing in the softball game during the course of the day. Tickets for the All‑Star Tailgate Gala are available to the public, and can (Continued on page 70) 69
be purchased via the same methods as tickets for each game. The All‑Star Game is one of the 12 fireworks nights that will light up the sky at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park this summer and that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to family fun offered by the State College Spikes. The giveaways are so good this year that two lucky Spikes fans will even be able to drive their winnings home — as one fan at Opening Night and one fan at the regular season finale is guaranteed to win a Kia thanks to Lion Country Kia as part of LuCKy’s Kia Giveaway. Other highlights include the return of the always popular Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on Sunday, June 24; the Human Cannonball on Tuesday, July 3 presented by Boyles Insurance; four Bark in the Park games (June 20, July 1, Aug. 3, Aug. 30) where fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark; and two Super Splash Day games starting at noon on July 16 and August 1 — when Ike’s Kids Zone turns into a water park at both games. In addition to the fun giveaway nights, the Spikes will again host a Paint the Park Pink Night on July 22 that will include a Pink Sunrise Jersey‑off‑the‑Back Auction to benefit The Mount Nittany Health Foundation and their support of the fight against breast cancer. The Spikes will also partner with PSECU to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network with a special “Animal House Night” on Saturday, August 4 with a State “College” Sweater Jersey‑off‑the‑Back Auction.
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And of course, no promotional schedule in State College is complete without paying tribute to the Penn State Nittany Lions. On Friday, July 20, legendary PSU linebacker LaVar Arrington will make an appearance; Ki‑Jana Carter will meet and greet fans and sign autographs on Friday, Aug. 10 when the first 1,000 fans that night will also get a Ki‑Jana Carter Bobblehead; and on Friday, Aug. 24, there will be a DaeSean Hamilton Bobblehead giveaway. Throughout the season, the Spikes will again host the always popular “Half Craft Wednesdays” featuring half‑price craft beer drafts from 6‑8 p.m., as well as $1 Beer Thursdays with $1 domestic drafts from 6‑8. On Tuesday nights during the season, the Spikes will offer $2 walking tacos. Start your summer planning by checking out the State College Spikes schedule and heading out to the ballpark for a fun, affordable and memorable night! And new this season, the Spikes are offering a number of Value Plan options that range from a half‑season plan to a 13‑game Family Fireworks Plan to a Mug Club Plan that will include tickets to all Half‑Craft Wednesdays and $1 Beer Thursdays. For more information on the State College Spikes or to buy tickets for one of their upcoming games, call 814‑272‑1711 or visit statecollegespikes.com.
Summer Fun Guide
Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley!
Summer Fun Guide
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