Getting ready for Arts Fest? Here’s the schedule with everything you need to know
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The 57th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts begins with a “baby rave” and ends with a performance from a staple of the Penn State music scene. In between, the schedule is packed with musical performances and artistic exhibitions in downtown State College and on campus to suit a wide variety of tastes.
Beyond the Sidewalk Sale, visitors can attend a cocktail party, a celebration of books and the return of the festival races. The festival’s juried fine art exhibition, “Images 2023” is on display through July 31 at Schlow Centre Region Library. Here’s a look at the schedule of events. For more information, visit arts-festival.com.
Wednesday, July 12
The festival begins with Children and Youth Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which features the Sidewalk Sale with artists ages 8 to 18.
There will be free children’s activities in Sidney Friedman Park and on the Old Main lawn during the day.
10-11 a.m.: The Music Academy, Allen Street Stage
10 a.m.-noon: Baby rave, Sidney Friedman Park
11 a.m.-noon: Dance Academy, Festival Shell Stage
11 a.m.-noon: Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania and Nittany Ballet, Allen Street Stage
11 a.m.: “Alice in Wonderland” journey with Tempest Productions. The 90-minute journey leaves at various times starting at 11 a.m. from Tempest Studios, 140 Kelly Alley. Visit tempestproductions.org/alicejourney for more information and to purchase tickets.
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Rhythm and music workshop with Papa, Allen Street Stage
1-2 p.m.: Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop, Festival Shell Stage
2:30-3:30 p.m.: The Dance Loft, Festival Shell Stage
2:30-3:30 p.m.: North by Southwest, Allen Street Stage
4-4:30 p.m.: Children and Youth Day Procession, starts at Old Main lawn. Distribution of pieces begins at 3:15 p.m.
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Centre Dance Studio, Festival Shell Stage
7:30-9 p.m.: Pat Farrell Community Sing Along, State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave.
Thursday, July 13
The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail’s Craft Beverage Expo will run from 3 to 8 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. (Note: Drinks by the glass can be enjoyed in the plaza. The borough prohibits open containers of alcohol in public areas.)
Street painters will be on Foster Avenue on either side of South Allen Street from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.
11 a.m.-noon: Tussey Mountain Moonshiners, Allen Street Stage
1-2 p.m.: Louise Page, Allen Street Stage
2-3:30 p.m.: Juggling workshop with Michael Rosman, Old Main lawn
3-4 p.m.: Caledonia, Allen Street Stage
4-5:30 p.m.: The Dave Wilson All-Star Quartet, Festival Shell Stage
5-6 p.m.: Richard Sleigh and Jerry Zolten, Allen Street Stage
6:30-7:30 p.m.: The JR Mangan Band, Festival Shell Stage
6:30-7:30 p.m.: Michael Rosman, The State Theatre. A wristband is required for this performance.
6:30-8 p.m.: Zeropoint Band, Sidney Friedman Park
7-8 p.m.: Callanish, Allen Street Stage
8:30-10 p.m.: Mink’s Miracle Medicine, Festival Shell Stage
9-10:30 p.m.: Pure Cane Sugar, Allen Street Stage
9-10:30 p.m.: Joy Marie and The Gill Street Band, Sidney Friedman Park
Friday, July 14
The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail’s Craft Beverage Expo will run from noon to 8 p.m. at MLK Plaza.
Street painters will be on Foster Avenue on either side of South Allen Street from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.
The Festive Spirits cocktail reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Towers on South Allen Street. Tickets cost $125 and can be reserved at arts-festival.com/festive-spirits-party/.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: RamaLama, Allen Street Stage
1:30-2 p.m.: Mark DeRose and The Dreadnoughts, Allen Street Stage
3:30-4:30 p.m.: The Extra Miles, Allen Street Stage
4-5:30 p.m.: Altoona Brass Collective, Festival Shell Stage
4:30-6 p.m.: Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band, Sidney Friedman Park
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Triple A Blues Band, Allen Street Stage
6:30-8 p.m.: Kristi Jean and Her Ne’er-Do-Wells, Festival Shell Stage
7-8 p.m.: Scythian, State College Presbyterian Church. A wristband is required for this performance.
7-8:30 p.m.: Eric Mintel Quartet, Sidney Friedman Park
7:30-8:30 p.m.: Ted McCloskey and the HiFi’s, Allen Street Stage
8-9 p.m.: Happy Valley Improv, Blue Brick Theatre, 209 W. Calder Way. A wristband is required for this performance.
9-10:30 p.m.: Friar’s Point, Festival Shell Stage
9:30-11 p.m.: Cass and the Bailout Crew, Allen Street Stage
9:30-11 p.m.: Steel City Calypso, Sidney Friedman Park
10-11 p.m.: Happy Valley Improv, Blue Brick Theatre. A wristband is required for this performance.
Saturday, July 15
The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
BookFest PA, which, organizers say “celebrates the story as art,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Schlow Centre Region Library. Highlights include a virtual visit with bestselling comic book author and novelist Charles Soule.
The Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail’s Craft Beverage Expo will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at MLK Plaza.
Street painters will be on Foster Avenue on either side of South Allen Street from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Cat’s Eye, Allen Street Stage
12:30-1:30 p.m.: State College Municipal Band, Festival Shell Stage
1:30-2:30 p.m.: The Sorters, Allen Street Stage
2-4 p.m.: Songwriters showcase, Sidney Friedman Park
2:30-4 p.m.: My Hero Zero, Festival Shell Stage
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Hops & Vines, Allen Street Stage
4-5 p.m.: Wave, 3 Dots Downtown, 137 E. Beaver Ave.
5-6 p.m.: Matt Otis and the Sound, Sidney Friedman Park
5-6 p.m.: Tierradentro, Festival Shell Stage
5-6 p.m.: Open Music, 3 Dots Downtown
5:30-6:30 p.m.: The Centrefugues, Allen Street Stage
6-7 p.m.: Stephen Ulrich/Big Lazy, 3 Dots Downtown
7-8:30 p.m.: Low Water Bridge Band, Festival Shell Stage
7-8:30 p.m.: Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Sidney Friedman Park
7:30-8:30 p.m.: Jack Grace Band, Allen Street Stage
7:30-9 p.m.: The 8 Ohms Band, The State Theatre. A wristband is required for this performance.
8-9 p.m.: Happy Valley Improv, Blue Brick Theatre. A wristband is required for this performance.
8-9 p.m.: Alice Howe & Freebo, State College Presbyterian Church. A wristband is required for this performance.
9:30-11 p.m.: OK Otter, Allen Street Stage
9:30-11 p.m.: Minas, Sidney Friedman Park
9:30-11 p.m.: The Ruta Beggars, Festival Shell Stage
10-11 p.m.: Happy Valley Improv, Blue Brick Theatre. A wristband is required for this performance.
Sunday, July 16
The final day of the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Street painters will be on Foster Avenue on either side of South Allen Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting
The 45th Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races (10-mile and 5K) start at 8:30 a.m. at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg.
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Below Centre, Allen Street Stage
12:30-2 p.m.: Chris Bell Band, Festival Shell Stage
2-3 p.m.: Bellefonte Community Band, Sidney Friedman Park
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Skoal Brothers, Allen Street Stage
3-4 p.m.: Velveeta, Festival Shell Stage
