Another Year of THON, and Winter Isn’t Done Yet
Another THON Weekend is in the books. From Fitz and the Tantrums lighting up the stage Friday night to dancers celebrating their final moments on the floor, it was an energetic and emotional weekend in Happy Valley. Congratulations to everyone involved in raising a record-breaking $18.8 million for the kids.
THON Weekend and a Full Slate Across Happy Valley
February does not exactly tiptoe through Happy Valley. It shows up with teases of sunshine, full parking lots, and lots of opportunities to get out.
This week, the energy centers around one of the most recognizable weekends of the year. THON returns to the Bryce Jordan Center, and alongside it comes a strong lineup of sports, live music, lectures, and performances.
Here are some highlights…
Finding Warmth Indoors: Conversation, Music, and Art in Happy Valley
Winter has made itself very clear. Between the Groundhog’s verdict and the weather doing exactly what it wants, February reminds us that we’re still very much in it.
That makes this a good week to lean less toward rushing around and more toward showing up. This week’s Connect Happy Valley Events Calendar is especially rich in opportunities to take part, converse, and gather, including markets, talks, listening sessions, and workshops alongside a strong lineup of music, visual arts, and sports. With Valentine’s Day woven into the middle, many of these events offer something quieter and more meaningful than the usual dinner plans.
Here are some highlights…
Love as Showing Up, Not Showing Off
Every February, the Bryce Jordan Center fills with thousands of people doing something quietly radical. They dance, they stand, they cheer for 46 hours straight. Most will never post about the hardest moment, the 3 a.m. wall, or the kid whose family they just met. The point is not the content. The point is showing up. For The Kids.
That is THON, and it is also a living lesson in what research keeps telling us: the people who live longest and best are not the ones who perform love the loudest. They are the ones who show up, consistently, in real life.
First Hockey Match in Beaver Stadium
First Hockey Match in Beaver Stadium
We’re Winning at Winter, and No One Does Four Seasons Like Happy Valley
Let’s be honest, we’re crushing it.
While others are dreaming of warmer weather, Happy Valley is out here winning at winter. From packed trivia nights and buzzing brewpubs to snowy hikes, ski runs, and full house crowds cheering for Penn State sports, the energy is real.
And this is just the start. In Happy Valley, we don’t just survive the seasons, we celebrate every single one.
Now, with Spring Break and Daylight-Saving Time both landing on March 8, it’s the perfect moment to fill your calendar with connection, creativity, and pure local joy.
Slow the Pace: Where to Find Music, Art, and Meaning This Week in Happy Valley
Whew!
Are you still tired from last weekend?
After a sports-heavy few days, this week shifts the spotlight to performing and visual arts across Happy Valley. Listening rooms, concert halls, and performance spaces take center stage, offering plenty of chances to slow the pace and lean into something creative or reflective. Sports are still here this week, holding their place at the end.
Cornhole for a Cause: Where Every Toss Makes a Difference
Picture this: It is a brisk February day, you’re indoors at the spacious Nittany Valley Sports Centre, and over 40 competitors are locked in friendly battle. Bags flying, boards thudding, cheers erupting. But here’s the best part: every single toss is helping neighbors in need.
Welcome to the Centre County Cornhole Classic, happening Saturday, February 7th, where bragging rights meet community impact in the most fun way possible!
Your Weekly Guide to Getting Out in Happy Valley
Winter Storm Fern dropped a serious blanket of snow across Happy Valley this weekend. If plans were canceled or changed, we hope you stayed safe, enjoyed the quiet beauty of the storm, and maybe leaned into the slower pace for a day or two.
Now it’s time to unbury.
