If it’s July, it’s festival time in Centre County.
While June and early July saw plenty of fun — with events like the Bellefonte Cruise, Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, Theatre & Dance Fest, the first Sips & Sounds Downtown and 4th Fest — festivals and fairs throughout the region are ramping up. The festivities will continue throughout the month and into August.
Here’s some of what’s coming up:
CELTIC FEST
Saturday, July 8
Noon-6 p.m.
Boal Mansion Museum Amphitheater, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg
The Acoustic Brew Concert Series first Celtic Fest will feature performances by headliner House of Hamill and local acts, dance demos, bagpipers, crafters, food and drink.
Tickets and schedule: acousticbrew.org/event/celticfest-w-house-of-hamill.
PHILIPSBURG HERITAGE DAYS
Tuesday, July 11 through Saturday, July 15
Philipsburg
A 25-year tradition, the annual festival in Philipsburg returns with a theme of “Be True to Your School” that will showcase Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District’s achievements. Heritage Days kicks off with vesper services at 7 p.m. July 11 at the Cold Stream Dam amphitheater area. The festival begins in earnest on July 12 and continues through July 15 with live music and theater performances, children’s activities, a watermelon eating contest, baking contest and flower show. The final day will feature a grand parade at 2 p.m., pre-fireworks entertainment at 8 p.m. and the concluding fireworks show at 10 p.m. at Cold Stream Dam.
Full schedule and details: philipsburgheritagedays.com
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Wednesday, July 12, through Sunday, July 16
Downtown State College and Penn State University Park campus
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts kicks off its 57th year with Children and Youth Day on July 12 followed by the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition July 13 through 16. In addition to hundreds of artists selling work in a variety of media, the festival includes a plethora of performances, a juried gallery exhibition, street painting, a banner exhibition and competition, the Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races (July 16), BookFestPA (July 15), the Central PA Tasting Trail craft beverage expo (July 13-15) and a Festive Spirits Party (July 14).
Full schedule, artist listings and performance lineups: arts-festival.com.
ASTROFEST
Wednesday, July 12, through Saturday, July 15
8:30 to 11:30 p.m. each night
Davey Lab, University Park
This four-night festival of astronomy activities and stargazing sponsored by Penn State’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is held each year during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. On clear nights, visitors will be able to use the rooftop observatory telescopes and can enjoy demonstrations, presentations and special activities for kids, who can get their program stamped to return at the end of the night for science-themed prizes.
More information: science.psu.edu/news/astrofest-2023
PEOPLE’S CHOICE FESTIVAL
Thursday, July 13, through Sunday July 16
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Grange Park, 149 Homan Lane, Centre Hall
After more than 25 years in Boalsburg, the People’s Choice Festival enters its second year in its new home at Grange Park. Camping is available on-site. The festival will feature about 200 Pennsylvania artists selected for quality and affordability. Nearly two dozen musical acts will perform throughout the four days, which also will include children’s entertainment and activities. Two food courts will offer more than 30 food and beverage stands, along with a lineup of specialty food and wine vendors.
Schedule, artists and vendors: peopleschoicefestival.com.
ART IN THE ORCHARD
Thursday, July 13, through Saturday, July 15
Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Way Fruit Farm, 2355 Halfmoon Valley, Port Matilda
Back for its third year, Way Fruit Farm’s three-day summer festival will feature more than 60 artists and crafters, 10 music acts and five food vendors. The farm also will offer a bunny petting area and kids games, among other activities.
Schedule, artists and vendors: wayfruitfarm.com/artintheorchard
MILLHEIM SUMMERFEST
Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Millheim
Formerly known as WalkFest, Millheim’s summer festival returns with a few changes this year. The event will showcase local music, food and drink, but will take place over a smaller footprint. It will spotlight Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks, the Millheim Hotel and Pisano Winery, which will host an array of musicians, artisans and vendors. Concurrently, the East Penns Valley Library will hold its big summer book sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 29 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 30 at the Millheim Fire Hall.
Updates: facebook.com/EPVCBA
BELLEFONTE ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
Friday, Aug. 4, and Saturday, Aug. 5
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Downtown Bellefonte
Nearly 100 juried artists, crafters and food artisans will line the streets of downtown Bellefonte for the 40th annual Arts & Crafts Fair. The two-day event also will include more than a dozen food and drink vendors, artists in action, kids activities and 13 musical acts performing on the main stage in front of the Centre County Courthouse. Youth artist displays and sales will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. A free shuttle service will run between Bellefonte Area High School and the fair both days.
More information: bellefontefair.org
FOOD TRUCK RALLY IN THE VALLEY
Sunday, Aug. 27
Noon to 3 p.m.
200 block of South Allen Street, State College
Rescheduled from the spring, the annual food truck festival benefiting Housing Transitions will have 10 food and drink vendors, live music by Hops & Vines, raffles, games and face painting.
Vendor lineup: housingtransitions.org/foodtruckrally
CENTRE COUNTY GRANGE FAIR
Friday, Aug. 18, to Saturday, Aug. 26
Grange Park, 149 Homan Lane, Centre Hall
The 149-year-old Centre County Grange Fair is the only remaining tenting fair in the nation as families make a home for the week in more than 1,000 tents and 1,500 RVs. (If you don’t have already one of those spots, nightly overflow camping is available.) The fair features hundreds of agricultural exhibits and competitions, horse shows, motor sports. rides, entertainment, nightly grandstand performances by national headliners and, of course, lots and lots of great food.
Daily schedules, tickets, maps and more: grangefair.com
