Neighborhood block party to take over South Allen Street

STATE COLLEGE — The 2018 Living in One Neighborhood Bash will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, on the 100 and 200 blocks of South Allen Street.

According to organizers, the LION Bash is a mix between a community resource fair and a block party. The goal of the event is to provide an educational opportunity for new Penn State University students and current borough residents to learn about the services and ordinances in place that help to maintain State College’s quality of life and safety. 

The event is a partnership between Penn State, the Downtown State College Improvement District, neighborhood associations and the Borough of State College. It is best described as a community resource fair, plus block party. 

The 2018 LION Bash will the biggest to date, with more than 100 engagement stations already signed up. Attendees can stop by these stations to join in on fun activities while also learning more about State College organizations and resources. A full list of engagement stations can be found at www.statecollegepa.us/lb.   

A stage in the 100 block of South Allen Street will feature entertainment throughout the day, including local band Velveeta, a magician and the Tapestry dance group. There also will be games in the street and a caricature artist, and radio station B94.5 will broadcast live in front of the State College Municipal Building.

There also will be food at the event from establishments such as Canyon Pizza, Bradley’s Cheesesteaks, Rita’s Italian Ice and Mad Mex, and attendees also are encouraged to visit one of the many eateries in Downtown State College.  

On Saturday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m., the first-ever LION Dash will take place as part of Penn State’s Fall Semester Welcome Week. The primary goal of the race is to introduce the State College community to new students early in their Penn State careers. 

The borough has been hosting LION events annually for more than 10 years. Previously, the borough hosted LION Walk, an effort to get students, community members and local leaders out in the community to distribute resources packets to residence’s front doors, but during the past three years the event has transformed into the LION Bash. 

The borough is seeking volunteers to help with the event. Those interested can visit  www.signupgenius.com/go/5080944aeac2aa7f49-lion2.