Check out these August events in Centre County to keep you busy through the end of summer
The end of summer may be inching closer, but that doesn’t mean Centre County is finished keeping its residents entertained. From the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair to the long-awaited WingFest finals, there are plenty of ways to spend your August before it’s time for students to head back to school.
Take a look at some of the festivals, concerts and more coming up this August:
WingFest
When: Aug. 1 and 8
Where: Tussey Mountain, Boalsburg
What: The summerlong quest to crown Centre County’s tastiest wings is finally coming to a close. The last two rounds of the program — an interactive competition accompanied by live music — will feature a total of 12 local restaurants and four bands. Show up to help answer the question of the summer once and for all: Who makes the best chicken wings in Centre County?
More info: tusseymountain.com/wingfest
Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fair
When: Aug. 2-3
Where: Downtown Bellefonte
What: The 41st annual Arts & Crafts Fair combines artists, live music and hands-on activities in the heart of Bellefonte’s historic district. Visitors can admire the town’s Victorian homes while also browsing both the adult and youth street sales. Children’s activities will include interactive craft events at the Centre County Library and Bellefonte Art Museum.
More info: bellefontefair.org/schedule-of-events
Block Party Fridays
When: 6-8 p.m. Aug. 2, 9 and 16
Where: Discovery Space and The Rivet, State College
What: The interactive science and education space will host a three-night summer benefit series featuring both indoor and outdoor activities. Inside, guests will have access to the Discovery Space’s exhibit floor and The Rivet’s local artisan market. Outside, there will be live music, food trucks and mocktails served by Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits. Tickets can be bought online, and members can bring a friend for half-off one admission at the door.
More info: therivet.org/block-party
Concerts on the Village Green
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Where: Village Green, Lemont
What: Every Friday evening from June through September, the Lemont Village Association organizes live music in the heart of the community’s historic district. The lineup includes local music groups like Group Therapy, OverheaD and the John Wise Band. Guests are invited to bring blankets, grab a meal from one of Lemont’s nearby restaurants and enjoy the concert while on a picnic.
More info: www.lemontvillage.org/related/concerts-on-the-village-green
Ice Cream Fest
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 3
Where: 200 block of South Allen Street, downtown State College
What: As a way to raise money and beat the heat, the Downtown State College Rotary Club will host its ninth annual Ice Cream Festival in downtown State College. The fundraising event will feature ice cream from a variety of vendors — Trader Joe’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Meyer Dairy included — as well as events like face painting and a visit from children’s television show character Daniel Tiger. Visitors can purchase ice cream using tickets, which will cost $5 for five and $20 for 25. The event also features a 1 p.m. ice cream eating contest that involves players from Centre County’s high school football teams.
More info: downtownstatecollegerotary.org/fundraisers
Penn State’s Ag Progress Days
When: Aug. 13-15
Where: Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, Pennsylvania Furnace
What: Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will host a three-day showcase featuring more than 400 exhibitors from all across the United States and Canada — the largest outdoor agricultural exposition in the state. Exhibits will offer insights into current research and recent developments in agricultural equipment and technology. Admission and parking is free.
More info: agsci.psu.edu/apd
The Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair
When: Aug. 16-24
Where: Grange Fairgrounds, Centre Hall
What: Festival season may be behind us, but Centre County still has the Grange Fair to look forward to — an annual, multi-day collection of live music, animal shows, food, parades and other family-fun activities. Residents can either stop in for a day or opt to park their RV and camp out the whole weekend. This year, the fair will also celebrate its 150th anniversary.
More info: grangefair.com/daily-schedule
Kirtan Fest
When: Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 24
Where: Boal Mansion Amphitheatre, Boalsburg
What: Now in its third year, Kirtan Fest celebrates Kirtan, a traditional Indian chanting technique. In addition to featuring local talent, the event will also include music and food vendors. Tickets can be bought online for $10.
More info: www.threeleaffarmden.com/event-details/kirtan-fest-2024-the-power-of-words-in-community
Exploring the Armor tour
When: 1-3 p.m. Aug. 24
Where: Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg
What: For $15, or $5 with a museum membership, people can register online for a private tour of the tracked vehicles outside the Pennsylvania Military Museum. The tour begins in the museum theater.
More info: www.pamilmuseum.org/events/exploring-the-armor-4
