Over the long history of the Penn State Blue Band, there have only been six directors. Each director has contributed to the tradition of the band in some way. May it be changing the name of the band, changing the uniforms, creating new and imaginative formations or just creating new traditions, each director has had a hand in forming the band into what it is today.

Some would think that the position of feature twirler of the Penn State Blue Band started at the same time the Majorettes started. However, the Blue Band Majorettes were founded in 1972 and the official feature twirler position did not start until 1974.

The Blue Band was founded in 1899, but it only took one year for the organization to realize a Drum Major would be needed to help lead the band.

As the instrumentalists take the field, the Drum Major makes his flip, the Blue Sapphire throws her baton, the Silks wave their flags and the Majorettes twirl and dance this Saturday, the Blue Band will start to celebrate 125 years!

Though the Blue Band celebrates its 125th anniversary, a subsection of the group, the Blue Band Silks, will be celebrating 50 years this year.

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau will host not one, not two, but three published Blue Band authors for a special Book Signing from 10 am to noon! Books will only be $20 plus all items in the newly restocked The Happy Valley Store will be 12.5% off during the signing in celebration of the Blue Band’s 125th anniversary!

Penn State Homecoming 2024 will take place Sept. 22-28, as announced today (Feb. 22) by the Homecoming executive committee. A week of celebrations and festivities will lead up to the Penn State football game versus Illinois on Sept. 28, at Beaver Stadium.

Forty years ago, Greg Woodman spent his tuition money to print Penn State T-shirts to sell at tailgates. It was a move that wasn’t very popular with his parents, but it paid off, big time.

Dave Gerdes spent nearly 40 years in sales and marketing for major hotel firms like Marriott, Hilton International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Omni before coming back to Happy Valley to serve as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. He says that his career happened because of a road trip detour to visit an old roommate.