State College isn't just the home of Pennsylvania State University; it’s also a prime destination for travelers, complete with community festivals, eateries, and a vibrant nightlife. Proximity to Black Moshannon State Park and Bald Eagle State Park present visitors with a seemingly endless list of outdoor activities, while not having to travel more than 20 miles from the city. No one should pass on an opportunity to explore Main Street, which offers a diverse selection of shops, restaurants, galleries, and coffeehouses.
The Happy Valley Music Fest has been State College’s leading music festival for more than a decade, and will take place June 2-3, on East Calder Way next to the Penn State University campus. The event features live performances on four stages, including national and local acts like The Spin Doctors, SIRSY, The Common Heart, and Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires. The event also includes The Taste of Downtown, which offers patrons the opportunity to sample and combine foods from a variety of downtown restaurants. Two beer gardens will be available for attendees over 21, containing a spectrum of beer options from all over the country. We got the chance to interview George Arnold, a representative of the event, to learn more about this unique concert experience.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
GA: Happy Valley Music Fest began 11 years ago.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
GA: We restructured the event last year from one day with local artists to two days with national and regional artists, in addition to our local artists. We are in the process of growing our attendance, and we anticipate more than 2,500 people this year. In another year or two, we anticipate that we will have to cap our attendance, but in the meantime, we have some room to grow.
RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?
GA: Our focus on Roots-Americana music attracts a variety of people. Our goal is to keep it family friendly, so all ages are welcome. Children 12 and under are free, but I would have to say that our largest demographic is 35-55.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
GA: We transform a large parking lot and a few streets in our downtown area into a vibrant festival environment. While many festivals are in a remote outdoor environment, ours has all the amenities nearby. Three hotels are within walking distance, over 40 eateries are within a block of the festival, and plenty of shopping is available for those in search of a distraction from the music.
RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.
GA: Friday night, we have four bands performing on two stages. “Taste Of Downtown State College” is new to our event this year, and will feature eight different downtown restaurants serving samples of signature appetizers and small plate items. People will be able to purchase tickets and trade the tickets in for the appetizers. Two beer gardens are also located in the festival zone. Saturday will showcase 12 bands on four stages (five national and seven regional and local). Our local Rotary Club also hosts its annual ice cream festival on Saturday, just a few blocks away.
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
GA: Our headliner for Friday night is the Spin Doctors and our headliner for Saturday night is Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires. Saturday also features four additional national artists: Marah, Bastard Bearded Irishman, The Commonheart, and The National Reserve.
RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?
GA: Over 75 restaurants and eateries within a 10-15 minute walk. American, Chinese, Indian, Colombian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern foods are all available.
RAL: What is the environment like?
GA: State College is nestled in the valley surrounded by mountains in the geographic center of Pennsylvania. During the summer months, downtown State College is a lazy, tree-lined, inviting college town with many local shops.
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?
GA: Local hotels have put packages together, and we recommend checking with Lion Country Lodging, our official hotel sponsor. Packages are also available at Sleep Inn and Comfort Suites.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
GA: Yes, this event has been designed to bring both locals and visitors into the downtown area to help lift sales during the slower summer months.
RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?
GA: The event is sponsored by the Downtown State College Improvement District, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote and enhance downtown State College.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
GA: One thing that makes this experience memorable is the level of talent that you get to see in an up close and personal environment. We like to describe our festival as boutique, and welcome anyone interested in joining us!
For more information about the Happy Valley Music Fest, please visit the event website.