Town Feature

20 articles

Fritz Smith happy valley

Sports & Entertainment Alliance Shines Light on Happy Valley as Ideal Location for Premier Events

“Over the years, there have been calls from various sectors of the community for a formal commission to seek out and attract larger national and international sports and entertainment events,” said Fritz Smith, HVAB President and CEO. “Buoyed by strong university and community support, we feel the time is now right to pursue the creation of a dedicated sports commission in order to capitalize on the tremendous opportunity we see for Happy Valley to grow into a sought-after destination for marquee events and tournaments.”

Millheim Drone 0487

Slow down...for Millheim

Millheim, the heart of Penns Valley, is a town that surprises. Look at the bare description – 900 people, a traffic light, named for mills that have been gone for a hundred years – and you wouldn’t expect much. A quick drive-through town probably wouldn’t change your mind.

Fritz Smith happy valley

Fritz Smith: Fate Kept Bringing Me To This Magical, Thriving Community

For Fritz Smith, president and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the love for hospitality started at a very early age, in a place fueled by tourism.

“I grew up in Washington, D.C., a place where the two major industries were government and tourism,” he said. “You saw thousands of people visiting the Washington Monument and going in and out of the Smithsonian Museum buildings almost year-round. Something inside me said, “I bet those people are spending a whole lot of money while they are here!”

Bryce Jordan Center view of campus and SC DJI 0013 Moment1

Walk your way through Happy Valley’s best small towns

Walkability makes for a fabulous visitor experience and contributes to how desirable a town or city is for residents. Just ask any beach town. There’s a reason the boardwalk is one of the most popular places at the shore: everything is right there.

Visitors will find this same benefit in Happy Valley’s best small towns, including State College, home to one of the most beautiful and walkable campuses in the country.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau publishes up-to-date event information at HappyValley.com/events