Happy Blue-White Weekend!
The Blue-White Game and its surrounding activities will draw many to town, but there is much more on tap as well, including live music, performing arts, outdoors activities, Earth Day events and more.
We’ve compiled some of the weekend’s highlights below.
Of course this isn’t all that’s happening. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
FRIDAY
Human Library
Penn State’s second annual Human Library, where readers can sign up to hear the life stories told by “human books,” is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Those unable to “borrow” a human book are encouraged to attend the 11 a.m. Showcase Panel in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, featuring a synopsis of several “books.”
Happy Valley Mini-THON
About 50 dancers will take to the floor of the State College Area High School North Building gym on Friday for the first Happy Valley Mini-THON, to be held by State High students from 5 to 10 p.m. in support of Four Diamonds and its efforts to combat pediatric cancer. Admission is free and donations are welcome.
GETEXPOSED-2
An art event showcasing many of the area’s leading visual and performance artists, GETEXPOSED2 takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at Black Sun Studio, 700 E. Beaver Ave. Featuring sculptures, paintings, photographs, illustrations, live music and food and craft brew, admission is free and registrations are encouraged but not required.
Joe Diffie
Grammy- and ACM-winning artist Joe Diffie has recorded scores of top 40 country hits, including No.1s like ‘Pickup Man,’ while also becoming a renowned songwriter for the likes of Tim McGraw, Conway Twitty and Jo Dee Messina. Jason Aldean’s hit ‘1994’ paid tribute to Diffie and brought him back into the country spotlight. Diffie will perform a 7:30 p.m. show at The State Theatre, with opening act and central Pennsylvania natives The Chris Ruble Band.
Native Sons & Daughters Series
The Tommy Roberts have been playing roots rock, blues, country, and soul in central Pennsylvania since 2014. Originally a duo, of guitarist Brian Cleary and harmonica player Nathan Cutshall, the band has expanded to include Mary Anne Cleary, alongwith a rhythm section and occasional fiddle by Alyssa Martin. They’ll play as part of the Native Sons & Daughters Series at 8 p.m. in The Attic of The State Theatre.
SATURDAY
Blue-White Game
– 8 a.m. Beaver Stadium parking lots open
– 9 -11 a.m. Family Fun Zone in Holuba Hall – game stations with PSU teams, entertainment, activities, giveaways and more.
– 9 a.m. Fan Fest on Curtin Road – vendors, interactive events, displays and at 11 a.m. live music
– 10 a.m. LaVar Arrington’s A11 Stars Bowl youth all-star football game in Beaver Stadium (enter gates A and B)
– 11:45 a.m. Team buses arrive at the corner of Curtin and Porter Roads
– 12:15-1:05 p.m. Player autographs (Gates A, B, C, E and F).
– 3 p.m. Blue-White Game kickoff
Watershed Cleanup Day
Volunteers will descend on sites throughout Centre County’s watersheds to clean up trash and litter from 8 a.m. to noon and then celebrate together at a volunteer picnic at Circleville Park. Online registration is closed, but contact ClearWater Conservancy if you are still interested in participating.
Penns Valley Stream Bank Cleanup
Penns Valley Conservation Association hosts its annual stream bank cleanup starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers should meet in Coburn Park at 8:45 a.m. Gloves, vests, and bags will be provided, with lunch to follow.
Helping Kids 5k
The second annual event will benefit the Ethel Beaver Children’s Fund, dedicated to providing funds for children in the care of Centre County Children and Youth Services. The race begins at 9 a.m. at Governor’s Park in Bellefonte.
Ten Thousand Villages International Craft Festival
Ten Thousand Villages of Central PA offers an opportunity to shop for internationally fairly traded crafts, art, jewelry, decor, coffee, tea and chocolate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Ave.
Blue & White Film Festival
Featuring the best work created during the academic year, the Blue & White Film Festival showcases Penn State students’ excellence in film making and screenwriting starting at 7 p.m. at The State Theatre.
SUNDAY
Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run
A Blue-White weekend tradition, the ninth annual 5k and family fun walk benefiting Special Olympics of Pennsylvania begins at 11 a.m. at Medlar Field and ends in Beaver Stadium.
Ag Museum Open House
Bring the family to Penn State’s Pasto Agricultural Museum (2710 West Pine Grove Road, Gate K, Pennsylvania Furnace) for an open house with hands-on activities and fun to connect the science and history of our agricultural past with the present day. Free and open to the public at 1 p.m.
Dads Do Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Schlow Centre Region Library by making bird houses and bird feeders and decorating a pot and planting your own tree seedling inside! Extra credit: Take a picture of your family involved in any recycling activity and share it with @schlowlibrary on Twitter through Sunday with the hashtag #DadsDoEarthDay for an entry to win a prize book.
Earth Day Celebration
The Penn State Eco Action Club and People’s Climate Movement will host an Earth Day Celebration from 2 to 6 p.m. on the HUB Lawn (rain location: Alumni Hall). The day will feature food, a variety of activities organized by Penn State clubs, speakers, and live music including Lenina Crowne, Local Station, Eric Ian Farmer and a special children’s performance by Stacy Glen Tibbets.
PCO Presents ‘The French Connection’
Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra will perform its final concert of the current season, an eclectic mix of delightful music with a French twist featuring cello soloist Kim Cook, at 3 p.m. in The State Theatre.
Bellefonte Community Band
Join the Bellefonte Community Band for a trip across Euope with an afternoon of European-themed music at 3 p.m. at Bellefonte Area High School. Selections include ‘English Folk Song Suite’ by Ralph Vaughn Williams and ‘Blessed Are They’ from Brams”A German Requiem.’ Free admission, but donations are appreciated.
Newsboys
Christian rock band Newsboys brings its ‘United’ tour to the Bryce Jordan Center for a 6 p.m. with the group rejoined by former members and showcasing hits from across their 30-year career. They’ll be joined by opening act Zealand
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
Nassim Soleimanpour unique play about contemporary Iran is performed with no rehearsal, no director, no set and a different actor reading the script cold at each performance. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and continue through April 28 in room 119, Theatre Building, University Park. Free registration and more info.
Nick Moss Band
Veteran Chicago bluesman Nick Moss brings his band, featuring renowned harmonica player Dennis Gruenling, to Webster’s Bookstore Cafe for an 8 p.m. show.
