HAPPY VALLEY UPCOMING EVENTS
Current listing of events in Happy Valley.
Connect Happy Valley: The Warmest Welcoming Valley
In the heart of Pennsylvania, nestled among ridges and rich traditions, lies a place where hospitality isn’t just practiced—it’s lived. Welcome to Happy Valley, where every visit feels like coming home.
On November 5, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) brought together more than 300 hospitality leaders, community partners, and public officials for a moment that captured the essence of our valley. The 2025 Hospitality Awards weren’t just a ceremony; they were a celebration of belonging. The message that rang loud and clear: it’s not only about drawing visitors to our valley, but also about making sure they never feel like strangers.
The Power of Penn State Persists
Has any season – any Penn State team – ever felt more snakebitten than this one?
After weeks of upheaval that saw long-time head coach James Franklin relieved of his duties and interim head coach Terry Smith struggle to keep the runaway train on the rails through two brutal road contests, the Nittany Lions were rewarded with a third straight test against a top-five defense. The team fought valiantly, making good on Smith’s promise that his players would not quit on their season, but the ending echoed an all-too-familiar theme from this season, and this era of Penn State football, really: painfully close and not quite good enough when it mattered most. The Lions suffered their first-ever home loss to Indiana, currently riding higher than ever as the nation’s second-ranked team, on one of the most improbable toe-drag touchdown catches to ever survive replay review.
Serving with Joy: How the Centre County Pearls Are Uniting Happy Valley
By Rebecca Farmer In the heart of Happy Valley, something beautiful is taking root. Amidst the hills, college town bustle, and Penn State pride, a new sisterhood of service has quietly emerged, and it’s changing lives in the most joyful, grounded way. The Centre County Pearls of PA (CCP) is a newly launched service group […]
The Fountain of Youth Is Hiding in Banana Suits and Smiles
When my son was little, I spent countless hours volunteering at Ferguson Township Elementary. Honestly, I had more fun my second time through grade school than the first. Now, scrolling through Facebook, I notice that half my friends are half my age, and many are from those Ferguson days. It makes me wonder if that’s why I still feel so alive.
Maybe staying young isn’t about chasing youth, but staying close to it.
Stop On By: Celebrate Local Makers & Science at the 6th Annual Rivet Winter Market in State College
This weekend, take a break from the usual and step into a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and community. The 6th Annual Rivet Winter Market returns on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1224 N. Atherton Street, and you’re invited to stop on by for a weekend that’s anything but ordinary
Teammates for Life: Love, Leadership, and the Classroom Beyond Class
I walked into the “Teammates for Life” Power Hour knowing there would be energy. When Char Morett-Curtiss is involved, there always is. What I didn’t expect was to be so moved by what unfolded in that single hour. It became a living lesson in leadership, resilience, and the power of love over fear.
What If a Community Could Run With Heart?
We live in the most connected generation in history, yet many of us feel more alone than ever.
Phones buzz. Feeds scroll. Yet somehow, real connection feels rare. We see everyone’s highlight reels but not each other’s eyes. We call it connection, but it often leaves us empty.
Something deeper is missing.
Penn State? Blank Slate.
I’ve got some good news and some bad news as the reeling 3-5 Nittany Lions return home to face – unbelievable as it may be – undefeated and second-ranked Indiana as double-digit underdogs (it’s not a misprint nor is this about basketball).
