2024 in Review: Celebrating Happy Valley's Sports and Entertainment Highlights
State College, PA | December 04, 2024 — 2024 has been an incredible year for Happy Valley, packed with unforgettable moments and events that brought our community together. From high-energy sports competitions to captivating showcasing of art, this year showcased everything that makes our region special. Join us as we reflect on the standout highlights from each season that made 2024 a year to remember!
Q1 Highlights: Kicking Off the Year with Energy
January was an action-packed start to the year, featuring an impressive lineup of events. Highlights included the USA Indoor Field Hockey National Qualifier and the 3rd Dinking in the New Year Pickleball Tournament, celebrating the rise of one of the fastest-growing sports. The Happy Valley Rally volleyball tournament hosted by We Build You Play returned for its second year, continuing to grow in size and preparing for an even bigger event in 2025!
Penn State athletics also had a strong presence, highlighted by thrilling victories across multiple sports. The men’s hockey team broke a losing streak in Big Ten play with an exciting 4-3 victory over Ohio State at Pegula Ice Arena, energizing fans. Additionally, the Sykes & Sabock Challenge Track & Field Meet brought top-tier collegiate athletes to Happy Valley, showcasing competitive excellence across the board.
Happy Valley Comic Con returned to the Nittany Valley Sports Centre in February, showing tremendous growth from their inaugural event. Notable guests included Al Sapienza with roles in The Sopranos and House of Cards and Deborah Rennard, better known as Sly Lovegren in Dallas.
THON had another record-breaking year at the Bryce Jordan Center, raising $16,955,683.63 for Four Diamonds, which is nearly $2 million than the previous year!
March 2024 was a bustling month in Happy Valley, filled with exciting events across a variety of sectors. The Bryce Jordan Center saw several major performances, including the Dropkick Murphys, Drake’s "It’s All a Blur-Big As What?" tour, and Zach Bryan’s "The Quittin Time Tour", which sold out and set a record for highest attendance with 15,590 fans
Meanwhile, the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance hosted the Happy Valley Sports Officials Symposium, discussing the potential for sports officials training in local school districts to meet growing demand.
The Pennsylvania Middle School State Championships returned for two weekends of record-breaking attendance and earned the prestigious Sports Destination Management's Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Award.
Additionally, the Centre of the Universe Tournament, hosted at C3 Sports and Event Center by the State College Roller Derby, featured eight teams and 12 games across the weekend, showcasing thrilling roller derby action for fans.
The Pennsylvania Middle School Basketball Championships were awarded as one of the Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management.
Q2: Energy in Full Bloom
April brought a downpour of thrilling events to Happy Valley. The NCBBA hosted its North Atlantic Regional Playoff Tournament, where Penn State and Binghamton-White emerged as the top two teams, earning their spots at Nationals. MAWA's West Regional Tournament took over C3 Sports and Event Center, drawing hundreds of wrestlers from Pennsylvania and neighboring states for a weekend of intense competition.
From April 19-20, the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials showcased elite athletes from across the nation, making a monumental impact on the wrestling community.
Speaking of April showers, when it rains, it pours! Luke Combs’ “Growin Up and Gettin Old” tour electrified Beaver Stadium with the second concert ever held in the iconic venue. The event wasn’t just historic for Penn State—it was a milestone for the artist himself, marking the largest audience ever for one of his shows.
On May 11, the inaugural Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest took over Beaver Stadium, attracting nearly 3,000 attendees. With more than 70 breweries, fantastic music, and great brews, the event offered an unforgettable experience, allowing guests to sample local craft beers on a field steeped in football history.
The excitement continued as PAUSA Wrestling brought the State Championships to Happy Valley, highlighting Pennsylvania’s top youth wrestlers in a weekend filled with competition and sportsmanship.
Additionally, the State College Roller Derby hosted the 2024 WFTDA North American Northeast Regionals at Pegula Ice Arena, transforming it into an action-packed roller derby rink and showcasing thrilling matchups throughout the weekend.
June brought the heat with a lineup of exciting outdoor and athletic events. The Seasons of Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder challenged riders to tackle the rugged terrain of Centre County, delivering an exhilarating mix of grit, endurance, and scenic beauty. At the North Atlantic Regional Baton Twirling Championships hosted by M-Twirling at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre, athletes of all ages and divisions demonstrated their precision and artistry, captivating audiences throughout the competition. USA Softball took center stage with two tournaments over consecutive weekends, bringing youth players aged 12–18 to Happy Valley for competitive play and camaraderie.
The PIAA Spring Sport Championships Festival returned for its second year, spreading the excitement of high school baseball, softball, boys’ volleyball, and lacrosse across Penn State’s campus, creating a vibrant atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.
The month concluded with the highly anticipated IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley. In its second year, the event drew athletes from around the globe. The overwhelming community support showcased Happy Valley Hospitality on an international stage, leaving participants and visitors with an unforgettable experience.
The inaugural Hoppy Valley Brewer’s Fest took place on May 11, 2024 at Beaver Stadium.
Q3: Sun, Sports, and Spectacles
This summer, the debut of the Happy Valley Music Series at Tussey Mountain, in collaboration with Rich Engler Productions, brought unforgettable performances. Across the summer and fall, the series featured acts like The Wailers, Jim Messina with Pure Prairie League, and Live and Dead Brothers, delivering memorable moments under the stars. With its stunning setting and lively lineup, the series truly hit all the right notes for music lovers.
On the sports front, the Miller High Life Softball Tournament celebrated its 51st year, while PA USA Softball hosted its men's slow pitch tournaments, drawing enthusiasts from near and far. The competition also heated up at the Keystone State Games Ice Hockey Championships, where athletes showcased their skills in high-stakes matchups.
The fairways were alive with talent as the American Junior Golf Association’s Junior Qualifier took over Toftrees Golf Resort, highlighting the skill and precision of young golfers in both boys’ and girls’ divisions. Meanwhile, U.S. Kids Golf hosted the Pennsylvania State Invitational on Penn State’s Blue Course, where players set their sights "fore" success in an exciting weekend of play.
The 150th Annual Grange Fair marked a historic milestone, blending over a century of tradition with modern-day excitement. This iconic event brought its signature mix of agricultural showcases, tenting culture, and carnival attractions, making it a beloved highlight of the season for locals and visitors alike.
The summer wrapped up with the 4th Annual Harvest Open, hosted by the Centre County Disc Golf Association, bringing a relaxed yet competitive end to a season filled with energy and excitement.
Tussey Mountain Amphitheatre hosted various musical events throughout the summer, including the Happy Valley Music Series.
Q4: Closing Out the Year with Impact
The year has been action-packed for Happy Valley, showcasing a vibrant mix of sports, entertainment, and cultural events. The final quarter kept the energy high. The Ultimate Club Duals Fall Championship returned to the Nittany Valley Sports Centre, featuring 57 teams in boys' and girls' wrestling. Shortly after, the inaugural America's Wrestling Cup brought athletes from as far as Kentucky and Massachusetts, further solidifying the area’s reputation as a hub for wrestling excellence.
The golf season concluded on both the collegiate and high school levels with the USCAA Golf National Championship and the PIAA Golf State Championship. Meanwhile, endurance athletes took on the grueling Tussey mOUTainBACK 100-mile Ultramarathon, which also featured the USA Track & Field 50 Mile Championships. Adding to the excitement, the NCBBA Happy Valley Tip-Off Tournament brought thrilling basketball action to the C3 Sports & Event Center.
Jordan Feliz’s Everything Good Tour stopped by the same venue, delivering an unforgettable evening of music. The Centre Film Fest had another successful run, with the addition of the “Sports on Screen” awards presented by the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, celebrating the convergence of sports and storytelling.
As the year winds down, it remains filled with action. The Nittany Valley Half-Marathon and various high school basketball tournaments at State College Area High School will close out the calendar. Penn State football had a standout 2024 season, finishing the regular season with an 11-1 record and breaking attendance records with 111,030 fans at their game against Ohio State. The team now heads into the Big Ten Championships with great anticipation, and the possibility of hosting an NCAA football playoff game adds to the excitement.
Starting on a high note and ending with one, 2024 has been an extraordinary year for Happy Valley, leaving much to look forward to as we approach 2025!
Thank you for your support of HVSEA! These events would not have been possible without the community support from local hotels, volunteers, facilities, businesses, and our Board of Directors! Here’s to a new year with endless opportunity, we are so thrilled to share what’s in store.
Stay up-to-date in 2025 and connect with us.