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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
Happy Valley, PA—Chris Bell is the kind of artist who doesn’t just play music—he embodies it. A solo artist, bandleader, producer, teacher, and all-around musical force, Bell pulls from deep wells of American roots tradition, blending blues, country, and rock into a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. With family roots stretching from North Carolina to New York City and a career that’s taken him from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Bell brings a seasoned, soulful energy to every performance.
Happy Valley, PA—Hannah Bingman isn’t your typical folksinger. Her music isn’t about fitting a mold; it’s about breaking it, sanding it down, and carving something deeply human out of the pieces. Raised in rural Pennsylvania and shaped by an ever-shifting list of roles—student, mail carrier, prison librarian, woodworker—Bingman brings every ounce of life lived into her songwriting.
Happy Valley, PA—Caledonia is the kind of band that feels like a front porch jam session with your most talented friends, if your friends happened to be masterful at weaving together country, bluegrass, folk, and Irish influences into something wholly their own.