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Fun Beyond the Festival

Sure, the Festival is the best thing ever. But State College and Central Pennsylvania have even more to offer!  After checking out the Festival, make time to visit the People’s Choice Festival at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, or Heritage Days in Philipsburg. There are also exhibitions at the new Palmer Museum of Art, the HUB-Robeson Center, and the Penn State Libraries to see.

By all means, make plans to come back at another time of year to enjoy outdoor recreation, heritage and sporting events, wineries or distilleries, or just to see friends and family.  The Festival is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun in central Pennsylvania. 

 

People’s Choice Festival

The People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts was founded in 1993 by two energetic local artists, George and Nancy Marion who realized that there were more talented local artists than could be accommodated by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. In 2022 the festival moved to a new location: Centre Hall’s Grange Park. While the location changed, the festival organizers are committed to continuing to build upon the rich tradition of central Pennsylvania’s only festival devoted exclusively to  Pennsylvania artists and craftspeople. In addition to artists, the festival features live entertainment, educational activities for children, and many food options.

Learn More

Philipsburg Heritage Days

Philipsburg Heritage Days was founded in 1998 by former Philipsburg Bicentennial Committee members. The organizers’ aim was to create an annual event that would showcase the rich historic assets of the Philipsburg community. Each year, the committee selects a theme that highlights a specific historical event or recognizes one of the area’s civic groups. Many class reunions, family reunions, homecomings, and weddings are planned around the Heritage Days celebration. 

Learn More

Other Arts Options 

Downtown Public Art Walk

Thursday, July 11, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Starts at 3 Dots Downtown
Saturday, July 13, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Starts at 3 Dots Downtown

Learn about murals, sculptures, and more on a guided tour of permanent public art in downtown State College led by JQ Quinn of the Downtown State College Improvement District.

Click here to download a Downtown State College Art Walk brochure. 

Hosted by Downtown State College Improvement District

Sponsored by Barton Malow

 

Other Art Options

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Corner of West Foster Avenue and Fraser Street
Stained Glass Windows Tour, Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13; 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Facing Memorial Field, this church building, in the English Norman style was consecrated in 1928. St. Andrew’s is well known for its stained glass windows designed, produced, and installed by the famous Willet Studios of Philadelphia.

Poetry Reading and Open Mic
Saturday, July 13 – 1:00 p.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will host a free in-person poetry reading featuring the winners of their 2024 Poetry Contest, And Who Is My Neighbor?

Visit the church’s website to learn more. 

July 12th (1-5pm) & 13th (11-3pm)

Experience the magic of glassblowing at “Flame & Form: The Glassblower’s Craft.” Watch as skilled artists transform molten glass into stunning masterpieces right before your eyes. Enjoy live demonstrations of a variety of glass blown items, interactive Q&A sessions with student leaders from Penn State’s Nittany Gaffer’s Guild, and a display of intricate glass art created right here in State College. This is a fiery, fun-filled event that promises to illuminate your Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts experience with creativity and wonder. The studio welcomes all interested to stop by for a chance to witness artistry in action and take home a unique piece!

Join us for this captivating event! Learn more at our website.

Central PA Dance Workshop

The Central PA Dance Workshop (CPDW) will be performing in the Downsbrough Room at Schlow Library on Wednesday, July 10th, at 1:00 pm.  See selections from “Myths & Legends,” excerpts from “The Bremen Town Musicians” and “The Day the Crayons Quit” by the Children’s Ensemble, as well as new works choreographed by the CPDW faculty, in a narrated dance performance.

*Use of a Schlow Library Event Space by individuals or community groups in no way constitutes an endorsement by the Library of the individuals, groups, or their activities.

No Refund Theater

Night Mother by Marsha Norman 

Directed by Jonathan Yourchak, Starring Ashley Russo and Jenna Meleedy 

showing in Forum 111, July 11-13 at 7:00 Pm. free for all!  

One night in the countryside, all is peaceful and quiet: except for what is happening in the Cates household. Jessie has decided that she will be taking her own life before the sun comes up and Thelma, her mother, is doing anything she can to keep her daughter alive. This eloquent, enthralling, and ultimately shattering play explores the final hour in the life of a young woman who has decided that life is no longer worth living.

*Use of a Schlow Library Event Space by individuals or community groups in no way constitutes an endorsement by the Library of the individuals, groups, or their activities.

Woskob Family Gallery
146 S. Allen St.

July 12 – 12:30-5PM

July 13 to 14 – 1-5PM

Under Pressure by Ryan Kough

The 2024 Juneteenth Art & Crafts Exhibition

Through July 14, 2024

Visit the gallery’s website to learn more. 

Palmer Museum of Art

Opening Exhibition | MADE in PA

June 1 to December 1

MADE in PA highlights post-1945 paintings, sculpture, mixed-media assemblages, and installations by artists who hail from Pennsylvania or who have made their homes and sustained their careers in the Keystone State.

Opening Exhibition | MADE in PA on Paper

June 1 to September 8

Made in PA on Paper features a selection of prints, drawings, and watercolors from the permanent collection by artists who, through birth or residence, can claim a connection with the Keystone State.

Gallery Talk | MADE in PA on Paper

Thursday, July 11, 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy in-depth engagement with opening exhibition MADE in PA on Paper led by Adam Thomas, Curator of American Art.

Adult Workshop | Sneaker Painting

Saturday, July 13, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Bring your own clean canvas sneakers and let art inspire your design!

Gallery Talk | MADE in PA

Sunday, July 14, 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy in-depth engagement with opening exhibition MADE in PA led by Erin Coe, Palmer Museum Director, and Joyce Robinson, Assistant Director.

 

Kish Bank – The Expect More Store
114 S. Allen Street
Art Alliance Members Show 
June 7 through July 29

The Art Alliance Members Show is an annual celebration of visual arts.

Kendra Morris

Boal City Brewing & Gorinto Productions Present:

KENDRA MORRIS (COLEMINE RECORDS)
W/ SUPPORT FROM HOME PLANET & DJ ELBOW KNEE KNEE

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
7:00 pm

Boal City Brewing
281 Old Boalsburg Rd
Boalsburg, PA 16827

$15 Presale/ $20 Day of Show

TICKETS/INFO: 

https://www.gorintoproductions.com/events/30sg9j2bz2iwetyny21ep7yof41exu

LISTEN: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKbaVIQcM8

“There’s something undeniably out-of-time about both Kendra Morris and her indelibly cool new album I Am What I’m Waiting For (Colemine Records). It combines rough-hewn powerhouse vocals with arrangements that betray both an extensive record collection and a whimsical instinct for joyous noises — think Dusty Springfield fronting Spoon circa Kill The Moonlight or a 60s girl group creative directed by Nick Lowe and PeeWee Herman. It’s vibrant and varied and packed with personality. Kendra will be in Central PA after finishing dates supporting breakout soul music sensations, Say She She.”

Extend Your Visit and Explore!

In addition to Arts Festival, there are lots of other great things to see and do in State College, the region, and the Commonwealth. Here are a few links in case you’d like to extend your visit and explore more of Pennsylvania.

From fine dining in downtown State College, to arts and sporting events on Penn State’s University Park campus, to hiking or hunting in the wilds of our mountains, Central Pennsylvania has something for everyone.

Come to Pennsylvania!

Embark upon your own personal happiness adventure. Follow where joy leads you.

Whoever you are, no matter what you love to do, know that happiness is Pennsylvania’s keystone. It always has been. It lives in our historic treasures. Our dynamic urban spaces. Our greater-than-great outdoors.

Mix it up. Make it yours. Visit soon and build your own personal adventure from every corner of our warm and welcoming state.

You’ll be so happy you did.

Check out VisitPA.com to learn more. 

 

Visit the Festival Store!

Get a Festival poster and buy t-shirts and other merchandise at the corner of College and Allen – or visit our online store.

Festival Store