Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
It’s Penn State Homecoming weekend, which means the parade on Friday, plus special events surrounding the football game on Saturday and a women’s volleyball showdown on Saturday night.
Fall festival season continues with some local farms offering autumnal activities and some spooky events around the region to get you in the mood for Halloween.
We’ve compiled some of the weekend’s highlights below.
This isn’t all that’s happening, either. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
FRIDAY
Penn State Homecoming Parade
The annual Penn State Homecoming parade kicks off at 6 p.m. on Curtin Road near Beaver Stadium and winds its way through campus and downtown. Route details as well as parking and traffic info can be found here. After the parade, it’s time for Guard the Lion Shrine, with live music, food and activities until midnight.
Ghosts and Goblins Tours
At Lincoln Caverns in Huntingdon, the 35th annual Ghosts and Goblins Tours offers three unique experiences — a new haunted house, haunted trail and haunted hayride — for the price of one. 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October, with family tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Spook Haven
The haunted abandoned mansion attraction at 100 Danis Street, Mill Hall, returns for another year with a new theme, 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October.
Zombie Resistance
Fight back against the zombies using infrared equipment in this four-player, story-driven adventure presented by Base Tactics at the grounds of the former Starlite Drive-in, 1100 Benner Pike. Time slots are available from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through the first weekend in November. Tickets and more info here.
Haunted Bog Trail
Black Moshannon State Park will host two Haunted Bog walks on Friday night. A sensory-friendly kids walk will begin at 7 p.m. and the second, beginning at 8 p.m., will be a bit scarier. Both are ADA accessible and require participants to bring a flashlight. Pre-registration is required by calling (814) 342-5960 or emailing blackmoshannonsp@pa.gov.
Salsa Social
Brush up on your salsa dancing skills or learn for the first time at this free social hosted by Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts, Ballroom Dance Club and State College Borough, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Municipal Building. No dance experience, partner or reservation is required.
Penn State Sports
The Nittany Lion men’s hockey team is back in action for its second game of the season, taking on Clarkson at 7 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena. Penn State women’s soccer faces Maryland at 7 at Jeffrey Field. The cross country teams host the National Open at 10:45 a.m. and swimming and diving teams welcome George Washington at 1 p.m.
Multicultural Film Festival
Foxdale Village begins a series of five Friday night films with a showing of the 2006 film Quinceañera (rated R) at 7 p.m. in the Foxdale auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. Admission is free.
SATURDAY
Penn State Homecoming
The No. 8 Nittany Lions face Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. in the 99th annual Penn State Homecoming game. Before the game, students and alumni will take part in the annual tailgate competition to be crowned best in one of several categories. From 10 a.m. to noon BTN Tailgate, the Big Ten Network’s pregame show, will air live Gate B outside the Bryce Jordan Center. The team will arrive at 1 p.m. led by a bus of Penn State football lettermen. Fan Fest opens on Curtin Road at 11 a.m., with Velveeta performing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Honorary Captain Michael Mauti will be signing autographs near the stadium south tunnel on Curtin Road from noon to 1 p.m.
Way Fall Festival
The first of two Saturday fall festivals at Way Fruit Farm, 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to hayrides to the pumpkin patch, the day features an apple slingshot, over a dozen crafters, a petting zoo and other activities to enjoy. Food is provided by a local Lions Club and baked goods including apple dumplings are available. The festival will be held again on Oct. 20.
Wasson Farm Fall Fest
Wasson Farm Market, 2545 Shingletown Road, hosts a fall fest from 10:30 a.m. to 4 Saturday and Sunday. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch are $6, including the pumpkin. The day also featured corn maze, animals and games. Homemade apple butter, baked goods and soups will be for sale. Saturday will be Blue and White Day and Sunday is a Pink Out to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Cranberry Festival
Enjoy autumn activities at Black Moshannon State Park’s Cranberry Festival beginning at 11 a.m with the free cranberry hike from Boat Launch 3 on West Side Road. Also make a pine cone bird feeder, try colonial candle-dipping, and enjoy a hay ride. The pumpkin race starts around 3 p.m. Events take place in the lawn area of Environmental Learning Center and Pavilion 8. Cost is $1 to participate.
Halloween at the Y
A family event that’s free and open to the community, the State College YMCA’s annual Halloween celebration features a haunted house, arts and crafts, Halloween treat bags, swimming and more at 4 p.m. This is a potluck event and the YMCA will provide the main dish.
Penn State Volleyball
Football’s not the only game in town on Homecoming Saturday. The No. 7 Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team takes on No. 5 Nebraska in an 8 p.m. showdown at Rec Hall.
SUNDAY
Harner Farmer Festival
Juniper Village and Harner Farm, 2191 W. Whitehall Rd., host their 10th annual fall festival, benefiting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, from noon to 4 p.m.. The day includes kids’ crafts and games, fall treats, a soup and bake sale and the challenging corn maze.
Soccer Doubleheader
The Nittany Lion men’s soccer team takes on Wisconsin at noon and the Penn State women face Rutgers at 3 p.m. at Jeffrey Field
Arboretum Pumpkin Giveaway
The Arboretum at Penn State will give away more than 1,000 pumpkins between 1 and 3 p.m. for entry in next week’s jack-o’-lantern contest.
Author Talk and Book Signing
Ronald Smith, a Penn State professor emeritus and sports historian, will discuss and sign his new book ‘Nailed to the Crossbar: From the NCAA-Penn State Consent Decree to the Joe Paterno Family Lawsuit,’ at 2 p.m. at Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave. Admission is free, but donations to the Centre County Historical Society are appreciated.
Mikah Meyer Cabaret
Today Show-featured adventurer and National Cathedral countertenor singer Mikah Meyer performs a cabaret concert sharing songs and stories from his nonstop, three-year road trip to all 417 National Park Service sites. The show begins at 2 p.m. at State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave.
Chamber Music
The Bellefonte Sunday Afternoon Chamber Music Series continues at 2:30 p.m. with Allegheny Winds performing at Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard St.
Wine Tasting
Learn about and taste wines of Centre County, enjoy finger foods and take part in a silent auction at an event benefiting Centre for Alternatives in Criminal Justice, a local nonprofit focused on restorative justice, starting at 4 p.m. at Centre County Grange Hall. Tickets are available by calling CACJ to 234-1059 or at the door.
Ballroom Dance
Centre Hills Country Club will host an evening of ballroom dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $20 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will be available. RSVP here.
