Festival/Event of the Year

The Centre Film Festival is a week-long celebration of film and conversation connecting local voices with global ones through media arts, workshops, and masterclasses. With locations at the historic Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg and the State Theatre in State College, the festival brings filmmakers and films to the community that spark conversation and inspire new works. Since its inception in 2016, the festival also offers masterclasses that enable local teens to engage with artists and develop their own artistic visions. “We believe Happy Valley is rich with screen-worthy stories and the talent to make them,” is part of the festival’s mission statement, making it the perfect awardee for this year’s Festival/Event of the Year Award.

Tourist Attraction of the Year

A small family-owned farm in Boalsburg, Nittany Meadow Farm offers the ultimate agritourism stop with their all-things-goats destination. First, you can join Wellness in Motion studios for goat yoga—a memorable, joyful hour of yoga, snuggles, and selfies. Next, you can stay in one of their two cottages just minutes from Penn State, with plenty of opportunity to visit the goats and other farm animals. Can’t make it to the farm? Their adorable ‘Goats2Go’ bus brings goat cuddles directly to your event. This crowd favorite wins the Tourist Attraction of the Year Award!

Volunteer of the Year: Renea Nash-Nichols, Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village

At Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, you can travel back in time to see where history was forged at a 19th-century charcoal iron plantation. Take a self-guided tour through the Federal-era Curtin Mansion, iron furnace complex, and workers village, and see the personal carriage of Pennsylvania’s Civil War governor, Andrew Gregg Curtin. The destination features events like its annual Apple Fest, Heritage Day, and Christmas at Curtin. The location is 100 percent volunteer-run, and their volunteer Renea Nash-Nichols is the winner of this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award. When you are there, thank Renea for her hard work at the historic site!

Rising Star: Erin Pugh, Hublersburg Inn

The Hublersburg Inn has been a local favorite since 1827. Its unique, historic atmosphere sets the scene for inventive, seasonal menus, fun cocktails, and what the restaurant terms ‘spirited cuisine.’ Enjoy summer-time dining on the patio or head inside to eat by the stone fireplace in their dining room. This Happy Valley favorite features Sunday brunches that aren’t to be missed! Bartender Erin Pugh is this year’s Rising Star Awardee—check out her seasonal spirits menu and featured beer on tap—and tell her we sent you!

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Leadership: Lucy Rogers, Big Spring Spirits

Located in Bellefonte’s beautiful historic Match Factory overlooking Talleyrand Park, Big Spring Spirits leverages Big Spring’s award-winning water to create a line of products that have found their way into taverns, restaurants, and homes across Pennsylvania and beyond. Big Spring’s tasting room features a cocktail menu of more than 50 craft cocktails created by their creative and skilled bartenders that feature their spirits and ingredients that are handmade in-house. Tasting Room manager Lucy Rogers has been named this year’s winner of Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Leadership for her exemplary work. One visit will show why!

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Service: Mike Tedesco, Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits

Premier bartending service Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits brings custom cocktails and mocktails to private events and mocktail classes throughout the Happy Valley area and beyond. Nellie, the mobile cocktail bar is the perfect addition at a wedding, retirement party, or any other special event that you may be planning in Happy Valley. Founder Mike Tedesco started the company as an at-home cocktail subscription service and it quickly grew to offer custom mobile drinks, winning him this year’s Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Service Award.

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Teamwork: Casie Garber and Asia Pilger, The Queen

The Queen Bed and Breakfast in Bellefonte offers a full Victorian hospitality experience. Nestled in the center of Bellefonte’s historic district, the impeccably restored destination features suites brimming with charm and antique decor. Wake up to an indulgent breakfast featuring homemade bread, freshly picked herbs, and rotating favorites like creme brulee french toast. Assistant innkeepers Casie Garber and Asia Pilger are this year's winners of the Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Teamwork Award and will work together to make sure your stay is comfortable and indulgent.

Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award: Liz Grove, Pine Grove Hall/Flour & Stone

This past fall, Pine Grove Mills destination Pine Grove Hall transformed, moving to a more casual menu, and taking its farm-to-table concept to sister restaurant Flour & Stone located next door. The move has been inventive and delicious. Pine Grove Hall still champions its ‘eat, drink, listen’ mantra, now with sandwiches and pizza, and Flour & Stone offers sharing plates, pasta, and main dishes that showcase local growers. Restaurant owner Liz Grove was awarded the much-deserved Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award for her work in bringing not one, but two must-dine destinations to the area.

Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award: Gary Brandeis, Scholar Hotel Group

The Nittany Lion Inn has dominated headlines for its showstopping renovations and new food offerings, but its transformation is not the first time that hotelier Gary Brandeis’ expertise was seen here in Happy Valley. The Penn State alumnus brought the Scholar Hotel to the historic Glennland Building in Downtown State College, extensively renovating the space to offer modern luxury in a timeless setting. For his work in transformational hospitality, Gary was also awarded the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award, which is named after the former manager of Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park and “recognizes an individual who exemplifies the traits that Pete brought to his role: leading by example with an incomparable work ethic; a commitment to serving others; and leaving a positive impact on those around him.”