This Week in Happy Valley: Fair Season and Fall is On the Horizon
With August, it’s fair season in Happy Valley, starting with the Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fair on Friday and Saturday and Ag Progress Days opening next week.
It is also one of the last quieter stretches before Penn State students return and the fall semester gets underway. Enjoy the slower pace while it lasts, and look forward to the change of pace that comes with a new school year.
Rise Above Ability Recap
With a sold-out crowd of 450 people gathered under one roof to support Rise Above: Friends of Penn State Adaptive Athletics, the evening felt less like a fundraiser and more like a wedding, a celebration of separate lives coming together as one family and a shared future beginning.
A Full Moon and Plenty to Do in Happy Valley
July ends with a full moon, and August begins with a full calendar in Happy Valley.
The State Games of America continue throughout the weekend, bringing athletes and competitions to venues across Centre County.
Here are some of the events happening around Happy Valley over the coming week.
There Is Still Time
Names have been changed.
My neighbor Sally is dying.
Home hospice is meeting with her and her husband this week. Most of her days are now spent in a chair, in the bathroom, or in bed.
When we told another neighbor, she mentioned that an ambulance had been at Sally’s house three weeks earlier. I had missed it, and I have not been able to shake that.
I talk often about knowing our neighbors, showing up for one another, and building community. Something important was happening just across the street, and I did not know.
Community Takes Center Stage This Week in Happy Valley
Community takes center stage this week. Whether it’s gathering for a neighborhood concert, supporting a local nonprofit, cheering on athletes, exploring the outdoors, or catching up with friends over live music, there are plenty of opportunities to connect.
One event we’re especially looking forward to is Penn State Rise Above’s We Are Family event on Saturday at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, supporting Penn State Adaptive Athletics.
With the State College Spikes returning home for a full slate of games and promotions along with concerts, outdoor adventures, trivia nights, and family activities, there’s plenty happening all week long.
What’s Happening in Happy Valley: A Not So Quiet Week.
At first glance, the week after Arts Fest might seem quiet. Dig a little deeper, though, and that is definitely not the case.
We Are… Family
There are evenings that raise money. And then there are evenings that remind us who we are. I have a feeling that Saturday, July 25, 2026, may be remembered for the latter.
At first glance, it looks like another summer fundraiser: a buffet dinner, a silent auction, some familiar Penn State faces, another nonprofit asking for support. I don’t think that’s the story at all. I think something much bigger is happening.
Connect Happy Valley Social
Remember the old-fashioned Welcome Wagon? This was the way newcomers were introduced to their community, and people had a natural way to meet one another…
That role seems to have disappeared, but the need for it hasn’t. We see posts all the time from people saying it’s hard to meet others here or that there isn’t much to do. We beg to differ. Happy Valley is filled with interesting people, events, organizations, and opportunities—the way we find and connect with them has simply changed.
This Week Around Happy Valley: Welcome to Arts Week
There is usually something for everyone happening around Happy Valley, but this week takes things to another level.
With Arts Fest taking over downtown and campus, People’s Choice returning to Boalsburg, Philipsburg Heritage Days underway, and events popping up at museums, theaters, libraries, farms, restaurants and music venues, Happy Valley is in full Arts Week mode.
