PHILIPSBURG — Hundreds of people circulated through the historic Rowland Theatre Nov. 8 through 10 during the Centre Film Festival to view a wide range of films, listen to live music and experience a taste of the culture that makes Central Pennsylvania unique.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off the weekend event and featured participation from community members including Philipsburg Mayor John Streno; Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe; Penn State Bellisario College of Communications Dean Marie Hardin; Happy Valley Adventure Bureau Director of Public Affairs Lesley Kistler; Kevin Conklin of the Rowland Theatre; Rowland Theatre board member Rebecca Inlow; Eric Kelmenson of the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation; Luther Gette of the Philipsburg Historical Society; and festival youth jury members Jaiden John and Sierra Auman of Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School.
The film offerings included a documentary on the future of aging movie palaces like the Rowland, a locally produced adventure film about climbing boulders in Pennsylvania, an audience favorite about riding the rails and short films made by high school students from as close as Philipsburg and as far away as India.
A film about bluegrass music was followed by live music. That film, “Fiddlin’” was voted the favorite feature film by the festival audience and will continue to be screened at the Rowland at 7 p.m. nightly through Thursday, Nov. 14.
