Each summer, Central PA art festivals bring thousands of visitors to our region – Penn State Campus, Boalsburg, and Bellefonte.
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of Arts, better known as Arts Fest, is a favorite annual event every July. It features the nationally-ranked Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition with over 300 of the nation’s best artists and craftsmen in addition to performing arts presented at six outdoor and indoor stages. This festival starts on Wednesday, July 10th and runs through Sunday, July 14th. It takes place on Penn State’s campus as well as downtown State College. The mission of Arts Fest is to celebrate the arts with presentations of diverse, high-quality visual and performing arts through the cooperative volunteer support of the community and The Pennsylvania State University. Additionally, each day numerous musical groups perform at many different venues. Purchase a button for only $10 to have access to select indoor performances. In the mood for a run? The Central PA art festivals 5K and 10K races are the oldest races in Central Pennsylvania. This year the races will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2019, with the 10K starting at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K at 8:30 a.m. There is no 10-mile race this year. The race headquarters will be at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with start and finish lines nearby. Other signature events include the Banner Exhibition and Competition, Italian Street Painting, and the juried exhibition of drawings, paintings, mixed media, and more.
Happening simultaneously to Arts Fest in State College is the Boalsburg People’s Choice Arts Festival. Boalsburg is a quaint village approximately 13 miles from the Reynolds Mansion Bed and Breakfast. This festival takes place July 11 – July 14, featuring specialty food and wines, live musical entertainment, and a huge assortment of arts and craft vendors. The vendors set up in a huge circle in a field adjacent to the Military Museum, which we highly recommend you check out to get out of the hot sun. Also, the art seems to be more reasonably priced than the art at Arts Fest. Many of the pieces in our Nittany Blue room were purchased at the People’s Choice Arts Festival!
Not ready for a trip to Central PA yet? Come for a visit in August when the Reynolds Mansion’s hometown hosts its art festival. The Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair will be held August 2nd and 3rd in downtown Bellefonte. Enjoy free admission, free offsite parking, and free shuttle service. This festival is going to take over the two main streets in town – Allegheny and High Streets. Previously, the vendors set up in scenic Talleyrand Park. What is so nice about this festival is that Reynolds Mansion guests can leave their cars at the mansion and walk right up into town. There will be music, juried art, children’s activities, and plenty of fair food! If you would rather have a nice sit-down meal, Bellefonte’s restaurants will certainly be able to satisfy you. Two of our favorites are the Governor’s Pub and The Blonde Bistro. Of course, our three-course gourmet breakfast should keep you going for a while.