LION Bash Back for 2023 with 5k, Block Party

The Living in One Neighborhood (LION) Bash returns to State College with two events over the next week to bring together community members at the start of a new school year.

To kick off LION Bash 2023, the Borough of State College, Left Right Repeat and Penn State Student Orientation and Transitions Program will be hosting a LION Dash 5k at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

The LION Bash block party, a partnership between the borough and university, will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31.

The 5k will begin on the 200 block of Allen Street, with participants running through Downtown, the Highlands and State College South. The price to participate in the 5k is $15 for students with IDs and everyone under the age of 18. For everyone else, the cost is $20.

Community members of all ages are welcome to participate in the 5k. Dogs and stroller joggers are also welcome.

Online registration is closed, but day-of registration will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday in front of the State College Municipal Building.

Thursday’s LION Bash is a combination of a resource fair and a block party on the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of South Allen Street.

“The goal of the event is to get the community, no matter how long they have lived here, to come out and enjoy live entertainment and learn more about the Borough of State College,” the Penn State Orientation and Transition Programs stated in a press release. 

Engagement Stations will also be set up for people in the community to go around to receive information, play games, or even win prizes. Each year brings roughly 150 engagement stations together and provides participants information on how they serve the community and how community members can help give back.

In addition to the engagement stations, there will also be food vendors and entertainment at the event.