NEWS
The United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs (USACFC) National Championships will return to the Nittany Valley Sports Centre in 2026. This marks the second year the event will be hosted in Happy Valley.
Scheduled for April 11th-12th, the USACFC is the largest collegiate club fencing tournament in the country. The event brings together top university fencing clubs from across the U.S. to compete in foil, épée, and sabre events for both men and women.
Happy Valley has the honor to host the 2026 State Games of America- a national Olympic-style, multi-sport event- brought by the Keystone State Games.
From July 24 - August 2 all volunteers are welcome to help with check-in, event support, scorekeeping or as moral support. No experience needed!
Be prepared for Tussey Mountain to come alive in a three Wednesday long event of invigorating short off-road course running and mountain biking races (tame enough for gravel/cross bikes), live music, food and community vendors. Grab your noisemakers and friends to enjoy the Happy Valley Town Series All-Ages Run and Bike Races (9/24, 10/1, 10/8). Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker, marathoner, or just beginning, enjoy the low-stakes competition of a race right in your Happy Valley backyard.
Sign up to race now at: https://www.bikereg.com/happy-valley-town-series-all-ages-run-and-bike-racing and come check out the expo for a night of community fun! Don’t miss this chance to run, ride, and rally with Happy Valley.
A national championship is coming to Happy Valley, and tourism officials expect it to be a big win for the area. The Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley has been running for several years, with Race Director Josh Cone saying they have seen thousands of participants. Now the organization announced that Happy Valley will be hosting the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship June 14, 2026. Registration for the event will open for priority registration this Thursday, August 28 at 12pm ET and for general registration on Tuesday, September 2 at 12pm ET by visiting www.ironman.com/races/im703-pennsylvania.
IRONMAN has announced that the IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon has been selected to host the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship in 2026. The event will return to central Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 14, 2026, offering a North American Championship title, elevated professional prize purse, and increased age group qualifying opportunities for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France. Registration for the event will open for priority registration this Thursday, August 28 at 12pm ET and for general registration on Tuesday, September 2 at 12pm ET by visiting www.ironman.com/races/im703-pennsylvania.
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau will once again recognize excellence in the Centre County hospitality industry at the Fourth Annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards & Gala, and community members are invited to make nominations. Applications will close September 19, 2025.
Downtown State College came alive on Saturday, July 26, as more than 250 cyclists competed in the inaugural State College Criterium, hosted by the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance. The event, sanctioned by USA Cycling, also served as the Pennsylvania State Championship for Elite and Masters categories.
Pennsylvania Sportsmhas announced new additions to its Executive Committee, bringing fresh leadership and experience to the statewide sports tourism organization. Danielle Vincenti, Director of Business Development at the Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority was elected the new Chair of PA Sports. Alongside her, HVSEA’s Executive Director, Eric Engelbarts will serve as the treasurer.
The tourism industry in Centre County broke records in 2024, and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) is looking to keep up the momentum.
The 2024–25 fiscal year was a major win for sports tourism in Happy Valley. Over the 12-month span, the region hosted events that brought in 24,000+ athletes and 58,000+ spectators, resulting in an estimated 37,000 hotel room nights and over $20 million in direct visitor spending. Altogether, the total estimated economic impact surpassed $29 million.
The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest returns to State College on Saturday, July 19, 2025, and this year’s entertainment lineup is bringing the perfect mix of nationally recognized talent and local favorites. Headlining the festival is acclaimed singer-songwriter Channing Wilson, known for his raw, soulful sound and songwriting credits with artists like Luke Combs and Travis Tritt. His powerful storytelling and Southern roots promise a set you won’t forget.
This exciting new event will bring high-level cycling to the heart of town, with the fast-paced format of a criterium race providing non-stop action for both participants and spectators. Unlike traditional long-distance cycling events, criteriums take place on short, closed-loop courses—perfect for urban centers like State College. Riders will complete numerous laps of a 0.7-mile circuit that winds through downtown streets, including East Beaver Avenue, South Pugh Street, East Foster Avenue, and South Garner Street.
The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest returns on Saturday, July 19, 2025. This year, the festival will be held at the Porter North Lot on Penn State’s campus, just steps from Beaver Stadium, creating a relaxed, tailgate-style atmosphere.
Happy Valley is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts — the hardest part is deciding what to do. Whether it’s hiking, biking, paddling, rock climbing, or birdwatching, Centre County offers it all, often just minutes from downtown State College.
The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA) is now hiring interns for Fall 2025, and this is your chance to be part of something exciting happening right here in Centre County. Are you passionate about sports, live events, or bringing people together through unforgettable experiences? We’re looking for motivated, creative, and community-minded students who are ready to gain real-world experience in the sports and entertainment world.
The excitement of race day isn't just for the pros! As part of the high-speed action of the State College Criterium on Saturday, July 26, young cyclists will get their chance to shine in the Kids’ Race — a FREE and fun event that puts little riders on the big stage.
Summer in Happy Valley is packed with exciting events. From fast-paced bike races and lively beer festivals to top-level junior golf tournaments. Behind each of these memorable experiences is a dedicated team of volunteers who make it all possible. None of these events would be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm help bring these experiences to life—whether you're guiding athletes, assisting guests, or working behind the scenes.
Despite a rainy Father’s Day, more than 1,000 athletes and hundreds of cheering fans filled Penn State’s campus for the third annual IIRONMAN 70.3 Happy Valley on June 15, 2025. The event challenged participants with a 70.3-mile course, starting with a 1.2-mile swim at Foster Sayers Reservoir, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run through campus.
On May 18, the Rothrock Trail Challenge returned to the rugged trails of Rothrock State Forest for the 13th consecutive year. Drawing runners from 11 states, including as far west as Colorado, participants tackled one of Pennsylvania’s toughest races.
Happy Valley’s IRONMAN 70.3 race has earned national recognition, ranking third in Overall Satisfaction among all North American races in the 2024 Ironman Athletes’ Choice Awards.
A new project, 814 Originals, is celebrating Centre County’s vibrant music scene by pairing original local acts with unique downtown venues. The project kicked off with a concert and music video premiere at The State Theatre. 814 Originals is a collaboration between the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance and Spaces in Between Productions.
Competitive cycling is coming to downtown State College on July 26 with the first-ever Happy Valley Cycling State College Criterium. Sanctioned by USA Cycling, the event will serve as the Pennsylvania State Criterium Championships for Elite and Masters divisions.
For the first time, Downtown State College will host a high-speed cycling event on July 26—the Happy Valley Cycling State College Criterium, which also serves as the Pennsylvania State Criterium Championships for elite and masters divisions.
For the first time, Downtown State College will host a high-speed cycling event on July 26—the Happy Valley Cycling State College Criterium, which also serves as the Pennsylvania State Criterium Championships for elite and masters divisions. Downtown State College will host its first-ever criterium race on July 26 with the Happy Valley Cycling State College Criterium, a USA Cycling-sanctioned event featuring a fast-paced, 0.7-mile closed loop through the heart of town.
Downtown State College came alive on May 14 as the 814 Originals took over The State Theatre for a night of homegrown music, original stories, and powerful performances. The event, organized by the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration of Centre County’s lively music scene.
The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA) is set to bring fast-moving, competitive cycling to downtown State College on Saturday, July 26, with the first-ever Happy Valley Cycling State College Criterium.
Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center general manager, Al Karosas has been appointed an esteemed role in the live entertainment industry - instructor at the International Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Venue Management School.
The 2025 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon is coming up fast, and while the athletes are training hard for race day, the event still needs a strong team of volunteers to make it all happen.
Happy Valley, PA—This two-day, camping-style music fest takes place on a farm in Woodward, PA, nestled in the scenic Winkle Blech fields. Picture gravel roads, open grassy spaces, and (weather depending) a bit of muddy fun—it’s all part of the charm. It’s an all-ages, rain-or-shine event.
814 Originals is launching with a bang, kicking off its new local music series with a free live concert and music video premiere at The State Theatre on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 PM!
The debut event celebrates the start of 814 Originals, a new initiative designed to uplift local artists and spotlight unique performance spaces throughout Happy Valley. From indie rock to folk and blues, the evening will showcase three standout local acts:
Mellow Honey — dreamy indie rock with infectious rhythm
Hannah Bingman — introspective, roots-driven songwriting
Chris Bell Duo — bluesy, soulful rock and country