2025 in Happy Valley: A Year of Events That Made an Impact
State College, PA | December 17, 2025 — 2025 was a year of momentum for Centre County and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, with new events taking shape and longtime favorites continuing to grow across Happy Valley. During the year, HVSEA supported more than 40 events that drew over 23,000 athletes and nearly 58,000 spectators from around the world to experience the region. Those visits fueled local impact, generating more than 40,000 room nights and supporting over 11,000 jobs. Altogether, these events delivered more than $21 million in direct visitor spending to Centre County.
Q1 Highlights: The Busiest Spring Break Ever
The year kicked off with a strong start in January, as Centre County welcomed back several returning favorites, including the USA Indoor Field Hockey National Qualifier, M Twirling IBTF Warm Up Competition, USA Fencing Nittany Lion Cup, and the Happy Valley Rally volleyball tournament by We Build You Play. While winter temperatures lingered, competition heated up at Nittany Valley Sports Centre and the C3 Sports Complex throughout the month.
Momentum continued into February with the return of the Chilly Challenge, hosted by the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club, along with multiple tournaments organized by Break the Chains Wrestling. The month also brought thousands of Penn State students to the Bryce Jordan Center for THON, where participants danced for a cure for childhood cancer and shattered records by raising $17.7 million through a yearlong fundraising effort.
March launched with the return of the Happy Valley Comic & Collectibles Convention, which drew attendees from near and far as the event’s reputation continued to grow in its third year. The convention welcomed celebrity guests including James Urbaniak, known for his roles in Oppenheimer and The Venture Bros., as well as Michael Haigney, the original voice director for the Pokémon anime.
Spring break began with the Keystone Wrestling State Championships, which brought a significant boost to what is traditionally a quieter weekend with the university closed. More than 3,000 youth wrestlers competed over three days, and the event was recognized with the Champions of Economic Impact Award for Mid-Market Destinations by Sports Destination Management.
The Keystone State Wrestling Championships hosted on March 14-16, 2025 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The Pennsylvania Middle School Basketball Championships also returned during March. The girls tournament welcomed 169 teams over the same spring break weekend, followed by the boys tournament the next weekend with 251 teams. The championships continue to serve as a cornerstone of youth sports in Pennsylvania and have grown steadily year after year.
The month wrapped up with Hockey Valley’s 51st Invitational at Pegula Ice Arena, featuring two weekends of competition. A hint of spring also arrived in Happy Valley with the Pennsylvania Division III Golf Classic.
Q2 Highlights: Excitement Blossoms
The second quarter opened with a strong start as Happy Valley welcomed several first-time events to the region. The United States Association of College Fencing Clubs National Championships brought more than 800 out-of-state athletes to Nittany Valley Sports Centre, while Your Future Basketball hosted its Happy Valley Hardwood Classic, drawing teams from across the United States and Canada. Both events made a successful debut in Centre County and are slated to return for the 2026 season.
While Penn State’s wrestling season came to a close, Happy Valley’s reputation as a premier wrestling destination remained strong. MAWA returned in April to host its West Region Tournament, followed by the PA USA Wrestling State Championships in May for a second consecutive year. June welcomed a new addition with America’s Wrestling Cup’s Fargo Tune-Up, further reinforcing the area’s appeal to athletes of all ages.
HVSEA also expanded its presence in the entertainment space with the launch of 814 Originals, a collaboration with Spaces in Between Production and support from The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and State College Downtown Improvement District. Season one featured original music performances and recordings by local artists, filmed in unique downtown State College locations. The content is now available for streaming on YouTube and Spotify.
The premiere of 814 Originals Season 1 on May 14, 2025 at The State Theatre
Girls sports took center stage throughout the spring with the return of the Happy Volley Championships, the USSSA Mount Nittany Challenge, and the North Atlantic Regional Baton Twirling Championship. Momentum continued into June as the Bryce Jordan Center hosted the Champion Force Cheer Mid-Atlantic Spring State Competition for the first time, welcoming more than 2,600 competitors to kick off the summer season.
Outdoor recreation also shined in Q2 with the return of the Rothrock Trail Challenge in Rothrock State Forest. Racers tackled both the 50K and 25K courses, highlighting the region’s rugged terrain and natural beauty. Behind the scenes, preparations were underway for an exciting announcement, as the event transitions to Rothrock by UTMB®, joining the global UTMB circuit as the second Eastern U.S. event alongside the Grindstone Running Festival.
A signature community event, IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley, returned for its third year and welcomed thousands of athletes, volunteers, and spectators for a day of competition and celebration. The 2025 race marked the final year of the initial three-year agreement, and the overwhelmingly positive response from participants and the community paved the way for an exciting future. HVSEA is thrilled to welcome IRONMAN back in 2026 to host the IRONMAN 70.3 National Championship, placing Happy Valley on a global stage.
The quarter concluded with several returning favorites, including the PIAA Spring Sports Championship Festival and the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Swim Fest on Penn State’s campus, along with the 16U/18U USA Softball of Pennsylvania Invitational Tournament at Hess Softball Fields and Oak Hall Regional Park.
Q3 Highlights: Bring on the Heat!
With summer in full swing, Happy Valley kept the momentum going as some of the region’s most iconic events returned, continuing traditions that draw thousands of visitors year after year. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, People’s Choice Festival, and the Grange Fair once again showcased the heart of Centre County, celebrating art, agriculture, music, and community while welcoming visitors from across the region and beyond. These long-standing events remain cornerstones of the summer season and continue to define Happy Valley’s unique sense of place.
The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest returned for its second year with a new date and location, delivering a fresh take on the fan-favorite event. Craft beer enthusiasts gathered just outside Beaver Stadium for an ultimate tailgating-style experience, featuring regional breweries, live entertainment, and a lively summer atmosphere that brought together locals and visitors alike.
Just one week later, the streets of Downtown State College transformed with the return of the State College Criterium on July 26, bringing high-speed, action-packed cycling to the heart of the community. Serving as the official host of the 2025 PA Masters and Elite State Criterium Championships, the event welcomed top cyclists from across Pennsylvania to compete for state titles. Racers navigated tight turns and fast-paced sprints along the closed downtown course, while spectators lined the streets to take in the electric atmosphere. The day delivered a memorable mix of elite competition and community celebration, showcasing State College as a dynamic host for spectator-driven sporting events.
State College Criterium, hosted on July 26, 2025
To help beat the summer heat, the Keystone State Games Ice Hockey Championships returned to Pegula Ice Arena, welcoming teams for competitive play on the ice. Looking ahead, the championships will take on an even larger role as they return next year as part of the State Games of America, further elevating Happy Valley’s presence on the national sports stage.
As August approached, the USA Yoga National Championship made its way to the State Theatre, bringing elite yogis from across the country for a weekend of high-caliber competition. The event reached a global audience through livestreaming, showcasing both the athletes and the historic downtown venue to viewers around the world.
Golf also played a key role in Q3, with the American Junior Golf Association returning to Toftrees Golf Resort for its Junior Qualifier. Young golfers spent the week competing on one of the region’s premier courses, highlighting Happy Valley as a destination for youth and amateur golf. The Centre County Disc Golf Association also welcomed players back for the Harvest Open, while Ultimate Club Duals returned for their Fall Championship, continuing a busy stretch for competitive sports across multiple disciplines.
The quarter wrapped up with the inaugural Harvest Fields Frenzy, hosted by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League. The event brought student-athletes, families, and spectators together for a weekend of racing and community engagement, adding a new outdoor event to Happy Valley’s growing summer lineup.
Q4 Highlights: Finishing Strong
The final quarter of the year carried momentum into the fall, beginning with a strong slate of championship-level competition. Happy Valley welcomed both the USCAA Golf National Championships and the PIAA Golf State Championships, hosted at the Penn State Golf Courses, drawing top collegiate and high school athletes to compete on some of the region’s premier layouts. These events reinforced Centre County’s reputation as a trusted destination for postseason golf and championship play.
Aquatics remained a key part of the fall calendar as the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Rally in the Valley returned, welcoming swimmers from across the region for a weekend of competition and continued excellence in youth and club sports.
Beyond athletics, Q4 featured a variety of arts and cultural events that highlighted the creative side of the community. The Centre Film Festival returned with screenings and programming held at venues throughout Centre County, welcoming filmmakers and audiences for a celebration of independent film and storytelling. State College Sings brought music to Titan Hollow, showcasing local and regional vocal talent.
Pictured are Senator Camera Bartolotta, recipient of the inaugural Keystone Visionary Award at the Centre Film Festival, alongside Happy Valley Adventure Bureau President and CEO Fritz Smith and Film Production Manager Pablo Lopez. Photo courtesy of the Centre Film Festival.
The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance also introduced the Weekly Lineup, a regularly updated calendar highlighting live entertainment happening throughout Centre County. Updated each week, the Weekly Lineup helps residents and visitors stay informed about concerts, performances, and events across the region. Community members can sign up for HVSEA’s newsletters to have the latest shows delivered straight to their inbox. Event organizers interested in having their events featured are encouraged to contact HVSEA to get involved.
The quarter also embraced longtime community traditions, with runners and spectators gathering for the Boalsburg Turkey Trot, a holiday favorite that continues to be a staple of Thanksgiving in Centre County. The year concluded with the Nittany Valley Half Marathon, hosted by Centre Volunteers in Medicine, welcoming participants for a scenic late-season race that highlighted the region’s natural beauty and capped off a full and successful year of events.
As 2025 comes to a close, the year stands as a testament to the strength, diversity, and momentum of events across Centre County. From championship-level competitions and iconic community traditions to new events and creative programming, Happy Valley continued to grow as a destination for athletes, artists, and visitors alike. With an expanding calendar, strong partnerships, and exciting opportunities already on the horizon, the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance looks ahead to an even bigger year in 2026 and can’t wait to welcome the events, visitors, and experiences that lie ahead.