It’s time once again for the Centre Film Festival, and this year’s event will take place from Monday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 17, at theaters in State College, on the Penn State campus and in Philipsburg. As always, there will be a wide range of films from full-length features and documentaries to short films, and from domestic to international and even locally produced.

December 8, The Nittany Valley Half-Marathon returns to Happy Valley inviting runners to join for another year of racing and support of a great cause. The Nittany Valley Half-Marathon, formerly a Nittany Valley Running Club Race, proudly supports Centre Volunteers in Medicine, a free clinic that offers essential medical and dental care to residents of Centre County.

No great film or story follows a linear narrative. There are always challenges and changes, twists and turns — and nobody knows that better than Penn State alumnus Pablo Lopez.

November 15-17, the National Club Basketball Association returns to Happy Valley, taking over the C3 Sports complex. Collegiate club basketball teams from universities and colleges, will converge on Happy Valley to kick off their seasons.

NCAA wrestling champion John Hughes was eager and enthusiastic to come back to Happy Valley for another competition. This time, however, he wasn’t back to wrestle. Instead, his journey is that of pursuing excellence: bringing quality wrestling into Pennsylvania. The competition was fierce, with high-level action and great sportsmanship displayed by coaches, wrestlers, and fans, according to head official Brad Strubel, who officiated the event.

Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2024 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing a more-than-welcome boost of over $1.88 billion to the national economy over the past year. 

This past week Penn State Golf Course hosted the 2024 PIAA Golf State Championships. With an amazing turnout and lovely weather, the three-day tournament, taking place from October 21 - 23, was a success! Teams from all over the state traveled to Happy Valley to compete in the State Championships. Here are the results:

If you’re a student or a recent graduate looking to dive into the dynamic world of sports and entertainment, look no further than the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA). Interning at HVSEA is more than just a steppingstone in your career; it’s an immersive experience that blends professional development, networking opportunities, and personal growth.

USA Field Hockey National Indoor Tournament Qualifier (NITQ) will make its return to Nittany Valley Sports Centre this January. 

John A. Hughes, globally experienced wrestling coach, is proud to announce the launch of the America’s Wrestling Cup, a wrestling tournament taking place in Centre County. 

For the fourth time ever, the NCAA has put most of its championship up for bid with Penn State earning the honor to host four different events between 2027-2028.

The annual Centre Film Festival is returning to Happy Valley for its sixth year in a row. The festival will take place through a seven-day period starting November 11 until November 17. The annual festival allows filmmakers the chance to see their movie on the big screen. With screenings from local filmmakers across PA, the festival presents itself as a great learning opportunity for all involved.

Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley is set to return in the summer of 2025 after another successful race in June. The event will kick off Sunday, June 15, the same day as Father’s Day.

Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to announce its return to State College, Pennsylvania for the first time in over 10 years with its newly revisited high-energy and high-acrobatic production OVO. An exciting Cirque du Soleil experience, OVO is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects; a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When new owners took over Tussey Mountain in Boalsburg two years ago, they knew there was much work to be done to improve a lodge and other buildings that haven’t seen many updates since the ski and recreation area opened in the 1960s.

The Nittany Lions welcomed alumni, students and faculty on Sunday to the dedication of the Char Morett-Curtiss Field. Named after longtime head coach and former Nittany Lion Char Morett-Curtiss, the field was one of many additions to the growing atmosphere of Penn State sports.

According to the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance, “In the aggregate, sports events and associated activity generate an annual economic impact of $417 million within Centre County, supporting 4,315 jobs with $133 million in employee compensation. Impacts of this economic activity within Pennsylvania are $467 million.” 

The USCAA and PIAA are headed to Happy Valley and are looking for volunteer help. With the USCAA tournament running from October 13 to 15 and the PIAA tournament from October 21 to 23 the Penn State Golf Course is going to be busy with many volunteer opportunities!

Registration is officially open for the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley, taking place on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 in beautiful Centre County. Mark your calendars for this can't-miss event set against the stunning backdrop of Happy Valley. Whether you're a seasoned triathlete or gearing up for your first race, this date will be the highlight of your racing season!

The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA) is pleased to welcome Sandy Stauffer as our part-time administrative assistant, a newly created role within our organization. Sandy brings with her over 35 years of experience from Penn State University, where she worked in several key departments, including the Office of the President. Her experience and skillset will be a valuable addition to HVSEA.

American Christian musician Jordan Feliz will be performing live at C3 Sports & Event Center on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 6 PM. Known for his unique blend of folk rock, soul, and Christian pop, Feliz has captivated audiences with his chart-topping hits and uplifting music.

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, a picturesque region known for its vibrant communities, rich cultural heritage, and outdoor adventures, has become a leading travel destination, achieving a remarkable milestone of 5 million visitors. This success can be attributed to the strategic efforts of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), which has implemented a multi-faceted approach to tourism, combining effective marketing, sustainability initiatives, and collaboration with local partners to elevate the visitor experience.

If you ask a local runner what season it is, they might tell you it’s time for the Discovery Training Series in Rothrock State Forest. Organizers of the Tussey Mountainback established the group run series to help runners experience the scenic roads of the forest. The series takes place on eight consecutive Saturday mornings beginning Aug. 31.

The IRONMAN 70.3 PA HV has not only brought tremendous success to Happy Valley by attracting guests from near and far, but it has also strengthened the community. Each year, 1,000 dedicated volunteers come together, embodying the spirit of the race by contributing their time, energy, and positivity. Without their support, the event simply wouldn’t be possible.

The Centre County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Wednesday, Aug. 14, as Tourism Appreciation Day in Centre County. The Tourism Appreciation Day date was selected on the eighth month of the year and 14th day of the month to reflect the county’s area code, 814.

An event coming up in September is looking to grow the love! The Another World Music Festival is back for its 2nd annual all-weekend-long festival with plenty of bands and music groups from here in the 814 and from all across the Commonwealth.

Though the athletes who competed in this year’s Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley were the stars of the show, the spotlight shown on them would not have been possible without the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time and talents to make the event a success.

The 4th Annual Harvest Open is back in State College, running from August 31 to September 1, 2024. Hosted by the Centre County Disc Golf Association, this event will unfold at the stunning Harvest Fields Disc Golf Course in Boalsburg. What makes this year particularly special is that the Harvest Open will be Centre County's first-ever B-Tier disc golf event, attracting players from across the region and beyond.

Arts, culture and entertainment are impacting the Centre County economy in big ways, according to the results of a new study commissioned by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA). Conducted by EConsult Solutions, the study quantifies the current economic impacts from arts, entertainment and cultural events; associated visitor activity; employment; and operations of the county’s creative industries.

Rich Engler proudly presents Jim Messina and his band on Sunday July 28th at Tussey Mountain Amphitheatre. The show begins at 3 p.m. EST. Also starring on the same show is Pure Prairie League. Presented in part with the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.