It’s the first weekend in April, and the calendar is packed with things to do around Happy Valley.
Since it’s the first Friday of the month, that means it’s time for First Friday State College (no foolin’). From art exhibits to pint night, there’s much to see and do this First Friday.
It’s also time for the 32nd Annual Central PA Home and Garden Show, which takes up residency in the Bryce Jordan Center from Friday afternoon through Sunday Afternoon.
The traditional American Indian Powwow is back on Saturday and Sunday after a one-year hiatus.
And Penn State baseball, softball and women’s lacrosse are all in action at home this weekend.
We’ve compiled the highlights from the upcoming weekend’s community events in the State College area for you to enjoy.
FRIDAY
Home and Garden Show
The largest exhibition of its kind in the region, the Central PA Home and Garden Show returns for its 32nd year, with contractors for any kind of home project setting up in the Jordan Center for three days. It also includes returning favorites like Centre Park and a kids building competition, and new additions for this year. The show goes from 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
First Friday
It’s the first Friday of the month which means it’s time for First Friday State College from 5-9 p.m. This month’s events include Pint Night at Appalachian Outdoors (123 S. Allen St.), a Make and Mingle and Trunk Show at the Makery (209 W. Calder Way), several art exhibitions, discounts at restaurants and shops and much more.
Developmental Screenings at Schlow
Curious about your child’s developmental progress? Free evaluations of motor, social, cognitive, language and adaptive will be administered by certified therapists from local early intervention agencies for children from newborns to 5-years-old. The therapists will be on hand from 9-11:30 a.m. in Schlow’s Children’s Activities Room.
“Hair” at the Downtown Theatre
After two preview performances earlier this week, Penn State Centre Stage’s production of the 1968 rock musical “Hair” has its opening night tonight at 7:30. Performances continue through April 9.
Diamond Lions
Penn State baseball and softball are both home for weekend series starting tonight. Baseball begins a three game set with Purdue at 6:30 p.m.at Medlar Field. The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon.
Softball starts with a doubleheader against Michigan State with first pitch at 5 p.m. at Beard Field. They’ll close out the series at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
In the Attic
“Accidents of Being,” based on the poetry of Mary Rohrer-Dann, takes the stage In the Attic at the State Theatre tonight at 8 for the first of three performances. Performances will also be held Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. Ticket details and more info.
SATURDAY
Powwow Returns
After a one-year hiatus, The New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow returns to Mount Nittany Middle School in Boalsburg Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The celebration and social gathering features dancers and drum groups from American Indian communities and reservations throughout North America.
Golf Course Carnival
Children aged 5-10 and their parents are welcome to Penn State Golf Courses from 9 a.m.-noon for Merry-Go-Golf, family-oriented carnival-style event. There will be prizes, food and games to play. Space is limited.
World Stories Alive
The theme for this week’s edition of World Stories Alive at Schlow Library is Chinese, with stories songs and art for speakers of all languages. Starting at 11 a.m., the program is recommended for children 3-8.
Celebrate The Big Friendly Giant
“The BFG,” based on the book by Roald Dahl, comes to Eisenhower Auditorium next week, and today Schlow Library, Discovery Space and Penn State Centre for Performing Arts are collaborating for two related activities. At 1:30 p.m., children ages 2-12 are invited to show off their ideas of the BFG at the Big Friendly Giant Costume Party in Schlow’s Downsbrough Community Room. Then at 2:30 it’s Fizzy Science and the BFG, recommended for children 6-12. Registration for Fizzy Science, with experts from Discovery Space, is very limited.
Madama Butterfly
The Met Opera HD Live season continues with the live broadcast of Puccini’s classic Madama Butterfly at 12:55 p.m. at the State Theatre.
Penn State Women’s Lacrosse
The 8-2 Penn State women’s lacrosse team is back in action at Lacrosse Field. The Nittany Lions are set to take on Rutgers with a 1 p.m. first draw.
Roller Derby
State College Area Roller Derby’s Happy Valley Dolls begin their first full Women’s Flat Track Derby Association season against Troy, Pa.’s the Dolls of Destruction at 5 p.m. at Penn Skates, 2210 High Tech Road. Ticket info.
SUNDAY
Journey to Freedom
The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, 133 N. Allegheny St., hosts the grand opening of Underground Railroad: A Journey to Freedom. A new permanent exhibition in a historically significant room with an art installation commemorating the work of the Underground Railroad in the Bellefonte area, the reception and program will be from 1-4 p.m.
As You Like It
Shakespeare’s comedy “As You Like It” comes to the State Theatre through a National Theatre HD Cinema production. The broadcast starts at 3 p.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
Penn State Baseball is back in action vs. Pitt at Medlar Field at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. U.S. Women’s Soccer legend Abby Wambach speaks at Eisenhower Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, while at the same time alt-country greats Old 97s take the State Theatre stage. On Thursday Penn State’s Research Unplugged features Penn State sociologist and demographer Shannon Monnat speaking about “Faces of Addiction: From Prescription Painkillers to Heroin” at 12:30 p.m. in Schlow Library’s Downsbrough Community Room.
If all that isn’t enough for you, there’s more happening in State College. Check out our calendar page to explore the weekend’s events, and feel free to add your own if it isn’t listed.
