The People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts will mark its second year at Grange Park in Centre Hall when the annual four-day event gets underway on Thursday.
First held in 1993, the volunteer-run festival was created as another option at the same time as the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, one that offered a relaxed setting and focused on local artists and vendors. For more than 25 years it was held on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, growing from an initial event with about 50 vendors and a few bands to one that welcomes more than 100,000 attendees and helped create a major multi-festival week in Centre County each July.
For 2022, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which oversees the state-owned museum, offered only a one-year contract that did not include the possibility of hosting the event in future years. A spokesperson said a number of factors contributed to the decision, most importantly that the festival had outgrown the museum’s ability to host it.
So instead, People’s Choice moved to the expansive Grange Park, which also now offers the opportunity for on-site camping. Organizers called the change of scenery “a huge success,” and said attendance, especially after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, was “phenomenal.”
This year’s event will have an adjusted layout, with the artisan lineup arranged to offer plenty of room; the food court divided into two areas; an information booth, community service tent and scooter rentals at the entrance; and all entertainment in the center of the festival.
“The People’s Choice Festival will look different from last year,” the festival committee wrote in the July 6-12 edition of the Centre County Gazette. “Many hours have been spent making a more accessible layout for patrons and vendors.”
About 200 artisans will be on hand, along with an extensive lineup of food vendors, specialty foods, wineries and continuous entertainment
From parking to food to art to entertainment, here’s what to know about the 2023 People’s Choice Festival.
HOURS
The People’s Choice Festival is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
ENTRY AND PARKING
Grange Park is located at 149 Homan Lane, Centre Hall. Enter at Gate 4 on Homan Lane off of Route 45.
Parking is $6 per day, which helps fund the festival. There is no charge for admission to the festival.
CAMPING
Grange Park offers overnight RV camping for People’s Choice visitors. Call (814) 380-1893 for reservations, and see camping guidelines here.
ART
About 200 Pennsylvania artists selected for quality and affordability will be displaying and selling their creations. Categories include baskets, pottery, woolen crafts, clothing, quilts, glass, jewelry, metal sculpture, brooms, photography, cookware, paintings, caricatures, soaps and candles.
KIDS ACTIVITIES
The festival will have plenty for youngsters to enjoy. Kids activities include bounce houses, a hands-on science museum, balloon creations, Whispering Trees Fairy Gardens, face painting, glitter tattoos, games and more
Some activities require a small fee.
A youth artisan tent also will allow young artists to display and sell their creations.
FOOD
People’s Choice is known for its wide selection of food, everything from traditional festival fare to specialty vendors. The 2023 festival will include two food courts (east and west) with more than 30 vendors, more than a dozen specialty food vendors and 10 wineries offering small samples and bottles to purchase.
Food Vendors
| Location | Business Name | Menu | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Brody’s Barbeque | Mac & Cheese | Punxsutawney |
| East | Cogan’s Concessions | Shaved Ice | Howard |
| East | Idou Coffee Company | Espresso Drinks | Boalsburg |
| East | Jackson “M” Concessions | Foot-long German Pretzel Braids | Warriors Mark |
| East | Preston Snyder Concession | Hot Dogs | Bellefonte |
| East | Rick Snyder Concessions, Inc. | Lemonade | Bellefonte |
| MIDDLE | Cowboy Kettle Corn | Maple Kettle Korn | Meadville |
| West | Addison Snyder Concessions, Inc. | Fried Veggies | Bellefonte |
| West | Addison Snyder Concessions, Inc. | Cinnamon Bums | Bellefonte |
| West | B & B Fresh Fruit Cup | Fruit Cups | Lewistown |
| West | BBQ by Clem | Pulled Pork Sandwiches/Nachos | Bellefonte |
| West | Bob’s Concessions | Roasted Corn on Cob | Wood |
| West | Carper’s Concessions Inc. | Soft Serve Ice cream | Huntingdon |
| West | Cogan’s Concessions | Shaved Ice | Howard |
| West | Emogene Snyder Concessions | Funnel Cakes | Bellefonte |
| West | Incredible Popcorn | Candy/Carmel Apples | Bloomsburg |
| West | Jerry R. Snyder Concessions, Inc. | Gyros | Howard |
| West | Kendra Snyder Concessions, LLC | Hard/Soft Shell Taco | Bellefonte |
| West | Kendra Snyder Concessions, LLC | Chicken on a Stick | Bellefonte |
| West | Lauver’s Concessions | Soft Pretzels | Mifflintown |
| West | Lauver’s Concessions | Ice Cream | Mifflintown |
| West | Miller’s Tropoical Sno LLC | Hawaiian Shaved Ice 50 Flavors | Belllefonte |
| West | Packers Concessions LLC | Hot Sausage Sandwich | Centre Hall |
| West | Packers Concessions LLC | Lemonade | Centre Hall |
| West | Packers Concessions LLC | Bubble Tea | Centre Hall |
| West | Rick Snyder Concessions, Inc. | French Fries | Bellefonte |
| West | Rick Snyder Concessions, Inc. | Lemonade | Bellefonte |
| West | Rosie’s Pierogies | Pierogies | Bellefonte |
| West | Scott’s Roasting LLC | Pork Sandwiches | Bellefonte |
| West | Scott’s Roasting Sausage | Hog Trough | Bellefonte |
| West | Sherri’s Crab Cakes | Crab Cake Sandwich | Camp Hill |
| West | Snyder’s Concessions | Cheese Pizza | Bellefonte |
| West | The Nutty Bavarian | Glazed Almonds | Bellefonte |
| West | Unicorn Concessions | Apple/Peach Dumplings | Bloomsburg |
Specialty Food Vendors
| Location | Business Name | Menu | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Dennis Farms | Maple Syrup | Cooperstown |
| East | JD Gourmet | 25-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar | Tannersville |
| East | Tastie Teas | Organic Loose Leaf Teas | Thomasville |
| East | Inside Out Cookie Co | Cookies | Bellefonte |
| East | Whisker Biscuits | Handmade Dog Treats | Stroudsburg |
| East | TorchBearer Sauces | Garlic Sauces | Mechanicsburg |
| West | Pennsylvania Hickory Syrup | Organic Flavored Hickory Syrup | Mifflintown |
| West | Hillbilly’s Jerky | Packaged Beef Jerky | Fort Loudon |
| West | The Cookie Dude | Gourmet Cookies | Lewisburg |
| West | Murrell’s Salsa | Prepackaged Salsa | Whitney |
| West | The Piper’s Peck | Fruit Jellies | Bellefonte |
| West | Ruga Rue Jerky | Beef Jerky – 17 Flavors | Altoona |
| West | Chocolate Moonshine Bars | Gourmet Fudge | Slippery Rock |
Wine Vendors
| Location | Business Name | Menu | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Deep Roots Hard Cider | Dessert Wine | Sugar Run |
| East | Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery | Wine | State College |
| East | Hawstone Hollow Winery | WIne | Lewistown |
| East | Hungry Run Wine Cellars, LLC | Wine | Lewistown |
| East | Juniata Valley Winery Inc. | Wine | Mifflin |
| East | KingView Mead, Wine, Cider | Mead | Pittsburgh |
| East | Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery | Wine | Centre Hall |
| East | Seven Mountains Wine Cellars | Wine | Spring Mills |
| East | Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery | WIne | Curwensville |
| East | University Wine Company | Ufreeze Wine Slush | State College |
MUSIC
Nearly two dozen bands will provide a steady stream of entertainment throughout the festival, including many local favorites and tributes to The Cars, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley and Credence Clearwater Revival.
Here’s the full schedule:
Thursday, July 13
| DATE | TIME | ACT NAME | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/13 | 10:30 AM | Mike & Tess | facebook.com/michael.arthur.54943 |
| 7/13 | 12:00 PM | Hops & Vines | hopsnvinesband.com |
| 7/13 | 1:30 PM | Summers Martial Arts | summersmartialarts.com |
| 7/13 | 3:00 PM | Jack Mangene | facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077929711260 |
| 7/13 | 4:30 PM | Stephanie & the Wild Hearts | facebook.com/stephanieandthewildhearts |
| 7/13 | 6:30 PM | Velveeta | 80scheese.com |
Friday, July 14
| DATE | TIME | ACT NAME | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/14 | 10:30 AM | State College Rock Camp | facebook.com/statecollegerockcamp |
| 7/14 | 12:00 PM | Victor And The Icons | facebook.com/victorandtheicons |
| 7/14 | 1:30 PM | JR Mangan Band featuring Veronica | facebook.com/jrmanganband |
| 7/14 | 3:00 PM | Jeff Mamett Duo | jeffmamett.com |
| 7/14 | 4:30 PM | Pure Cane Sugar | facebook.com/purecanesugar |
| 7/14 | 6:30 PM | Best Friends Girl “A Tribute to The Cars” | bestfriendsgirl.com |
Saturday, July 15
| DATE | TIME | ACT NAME | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/15 | 10:30 AM | The Extra Miles | www.theextramilesband.com |
| 7/15 | 12:00 PM | Country Connection Band | N/A |
| 7/15 | 1:30 PM | Donny Burns Duo | facebook.com/db3degree |
| 7/15 | 3:00 PM | Heather Olson and The Silver Eagle Band “Patsy Cline Tribute | HeatherOlsonMusic.com |
| 7/15 | 4:30 PM | Brad Crum as Elvis | rememberelvis.com |
| 7/15 | 6:30 PM | Green River “The Ultimate CCR & John Fogerty Tribute Show” | greenrivertributeband.com |
Sunday, July 16
| DATE | TIME | ACT NAME | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/16 | 10:30 AM | Centre Hall Council of Churches | N/A |
| 7/16 | 12:00 PM | Kristi Jean Band | kristijeanmusic.com |
| 7/16 | 1:30 PM | The Nashville Music Company | facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058734402284 |
| 7/16 | 3:00 PM | Joe Bonson & Coffee Run | facebook.com/coffeerunband |
