By ELANA LAING
Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
STATE COLLEGE — State College is home to a variety of restaurants, businesses and events that make Happy Valley a vibrant and welcoming destination. Whether you are visiting here or are an adventurous resident looking for new things to see and do, an initiative of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau — Happy Valley Agventures — invites you to explore local agricultural businesses… in downtown.
ROOTED FARMSTEAD POP-UP
A must-visit stop is the Calder Way Pop Up, where rotating vendors are brought in to share their products and make their merchandise more accessible to the community.
From August through September, Bellefonte cut flower farm Rooted Farmstead brings its fresh cut flowers, personalized aesthetic bouquets and other floral decor to the Pop Up.
Plans are in the works for a special open house that will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29. The event will be a great way to connect with other flower enthusiasts, support a local, female-owned business, purchase fresh finds to liven up your home or dorm room or even surprise others with a beautiful gift. Rooted Farmstead’s open house will be a collaboration with other Agventures destinations.
WAY FRUIT FARM CAFE ON CALDER WAY
The fun doesn’t have to end with flowers — fresh-from-the-field food options are just a few steps away. Also on Calder Way is Way Fruit Farm’s downtown Café, where visitors can enjoy fresh and locally sourced soups, sandwiches, produce, seasonal treats and so much more.
The rustic and cozy cabin feel of the downstairs seating area makes for a great study space or change of scenery and is just a brief five-minute walk from campus. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Check the website for current menus and events.
TAIT FARM SEASONAL SHRUBS
A must-try signature flavor of Happy Valley comes from Boalsburg-based Tait Farm. Their original shrubs, concentrated, fruit-infused vinegar syrups, are sold at various locations in downtown State College. Add a few capfuls to your favorite sparkling beverage or lemonade to create a flavorful and refreshing, sweet and tart cocktail or mocktail to enjoy or pair with a snack board.
Stop by Kitchen Kaboodle on Beaver Ave., and Way Fruit Farm Cafe on Calder Way to try Tait Farm shrubs and other products.
LOCUST LANE FARMER’S MARKET
Additional farm fresh and locally sourced foods can be found at the weekly Farmer’s Market on Locust Lane. This harvest hot spot market solely highlights Centre County vendors.
From Amish baked goods and freshly prepared, handmade pasta, to ethically sourced, skillfully roasted coffee and tea beverages, vendors truly show off the region’s seasonal and signature gastronomy. Check out the market, open from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Friday.
SIPS FROM THE CENTRAL PA TASTING TRAIL
Bellefonte-based distillery Big Springs Spirits will soon celebrate its first-year anniversary of bringing its vodka, rum, gin, barrel-aged whiskey and tequila to the Scholar Hotel on Beaver Avenue.
What makes their craft spirits so special is the corn, wheat and rye used in their production. The grains are sourced within a 25-mile radius of the distillery, and spent grains are returned to a local dairy farmer for use as cattle feed. Big Spring Spirits’ Scholar Hotel tasting room is open daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
At 324 E. Calder Way, Antifragile Brewing Co. is the only taproom and brewery in downtown State College. In addition to its popular lineup of craft beers, Antifragile also produces Moody Culture Kombucha and offers delicious cocktails made with local spirits.
HAPPY VALLEY VISITORS CENTER
There are so many hidden gems to discover, from farm-to-fork dining to ancient caves to activities like goat yoga and pick-your-own flowers and produce.
For information about more Centre County ‘Agventures,’ look no further than another downtown State College establishment, the Happy Valley Store and Visitor Center at 204 W. Beaver Ave.
Elana Laing is a rising senior in the Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University, and the summer intern for The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
