Our Cup Runneth Over!

At the Pumpkin Festival

The menu of Fall Family Friendly activities in Central, PA is abundant and lively! My family has been availing ourselves of some of the various outings and events and having a wonderful time doing so!  Last weekend we partook of the First Annual Pumpkin Festival hosted by the Penn State Arboretum.  It featured a pumpkin carving contest with several age categories for people to compete in and a lit pumpkin display.  This was the first community event hosted by the Arboretum and while it did not rival the World Record holders of the most Pumpkins lit in one location at one time it was a joy to see.  When we arrived at the Arboretum is was dark, and rainy; we couldn't see any pumpkins

Read more »

Family Fun for October 24 - October 30

Monday, October 24

Preschool Storytime: Trick-or-Treat and Costume Stories

10:30 AM

Centre County Library, 200 North Allegheny St., Bellefonte

Join us for the stories and activities for children under 5 years old, with a favorite adult, followed by a craft. 

Tuesday, October 25

Nursery Rhyme Toddler Time

9:30 AM

Schlow Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College

Schlow has designed programs to introduce toddlers to the library and its resources and to encourage interaction with others of the same age. An adult must accompany each child; parents are responsible for ensuring that siblings behave in an appropriate manner.  Registration requested 235-7817. Space limited to 20 families. Drop-ins welcome as space permits.

Paper Pumpkin Event

10:00 AM – Noon

Michaels, 44 Colonnade Way, State College

Grace your home with ghoulish decor. FREE Make-It Take-It. Ages 3 and up. While supplies last.

Read more »

Family Fun for October 18 - October 23

Tuesday, October 18

Mother Goose on the Loose

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Holt Memorial Library, 17 North Front St., Phillipsburg

For children under three years old with a favorite adult.  Join us for a musical, rhyming adventure through the world of Mother Goose.  This is a lap-sit program focusing on rhymes and music, encouraging interaction between baby and adult. This program aides in the development of both pre-reading and social skills. 30 minute program. Stay after for some fun with friends and educational playthings.

Preschool Storytime: Lost and Found

1:30 PM

Centre County Library, 200 North Allegheny St., Bellefonte

Join us for the stories and activities for children under 5 years old, with a favorite adult, followed by a craft. 

Read more »

Fall fun in Happy Valley

Meeting the Lion

Fall has officially arrived in Happy Valley! It seems as if it swooped in overnight but I assume it has taken much longer.  This weekend is Homecoming for Penn State which brings many alums back to town and blankets campus with a palpable energy.  Sometimes during football weekends I default to hermit mode and refuse to venture into town but the excitement lured me out of hiding.  My husband and I took our girls to the homecoming parade on Friday night.  The Parade is lauded as one of the best of its kind and I tend to agree.  An array of participants marched down College Avenue from the Air Force ROTC to Brazillian Dancers dressed for Carnival.  The Parade was distinctly multicultural this year; we saw student contingencies from Spain, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Korea and beyond.  M gleefully yelled that every group from a tropical region was, "Hawaii Girls!" and E waved at the walkers on the sidewalk, thinking that everyone was in the parade but no one cared.  The atmosphere was pure celebration and fun!  For two hours we cheered, waved, high-fived and rejoiced in our collective Penn State Pride.

Read more »

Family Fun for October 10 - October 15

Plan Ahead!: Tickets are on Sale now for Fall Foliage Train Rides
Saturday, October 22 & Sunday, October 23
10:30 AM & 1:30 PM
The Bellefonte Train Station at Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte


Enjoy a fall foliage train ride on a beautifully-restored, circa 1940's historical passenger train along Bald Eagle Valley in Central PA. Call (814) 355-1053 and leave a message or call (814) 355-2917 or visit The Bellefonte Train! 

On-going Events

October 2 – November 13

Those Who Came Before: Archaeology of Centre County's Native Americans

1:00 - 4:00 PM (Wed/Fri/Sun or by appt.)

Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College

 
An exhibit of artifacts, photographs of regional excavations, and images depicting Native American life in Centre County.  Presented by the Bald Eagle Archaeological Society (BEAS), Penn State's Matson Museum of Anthropology, and CCHS.

Building on the Past

1:00 - 4:00 PM (Wed/Fri/Sun or by appt.)

Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College

A traveling exhibit which details the discovery of a large 19th century iron ore washing operation at the future Benner Commerce Park site.  Presented by the Centre County Historical Society. 

Read more »

Family Fun for October 1 - October 8

On-going Events

October 2 – November 13

Those Who Came Before: Archaeology of Centre County's Native Americans

1:00 - 4:00 PM (Wed/Fri/Sun or by appt.)

Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College

An exhibit of artifacts, photographs of regional excavations, and images depicting Native American life in Centre County.  Presented by the Bald Eagle Archaeological Society (BEAS), Penn State's Matson Museum of Anthropology, and CCHS.

Building on the Past

1:00 - 4:00 PM (Wed/Fri/Sun or by appt.)

Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College

A traveling exhibit which details the discovery of a large 19th century iron ore washing operation at the future Benner Commerce Park site.  Presented by the Centre County Historical Society. 

Saturday, October 1

Fall Festival

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Downtown State College

This is the 12th annual Fall Festival in Downtown State College!  The Fall Festival is an exciting day filled with fun for the whole family, from alpacas to pumpkins, carousels to pony rides - there's so much to do!   Kids will love to decorate pumpkins and visit a variety of activity booths sponsored by various community organizations.  And hay rides are fun for the whole family!

Read more »

Far and Away from Central PA: NH and VT

This weekend saw us making a whirlwind trip to New Hampshire and Vermont to celebrate a friend's wedding and support the region after flooding due to Hurricane Irene.  Living in Happy Valley my family was sheltered from the damage the Northeast has sustained recently but being native New Englanders our hearts were with those affected so we took it as our civic duty to pack in as much Fall fun in New Hampshire and Vermont as we could in 48 hours! One of the best and easiest ways to help flood relief is to support businesses in the region, please consider visiting http://helpsouthernvermont.org/ to learn more about the devastation from Hurricane Irene and for a list of businesses you can support from Central PA!

Read more »