For the more than 2,400 elite athletes that competed in the inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon, crossing the finish line at Beaver Stadium marked a moment of tremendous pride and personal accomplishment. Months and months of preparation and planning were followed by day-of determination and grit to achieve the goal of IRONMAN success. For first-time participants, it was a particularly noteworthy milestone.

The 57th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts kicks off TODAY with our special Children and Youth Day from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This day is devoted to young artists, young performers, and the young at heart. On this special day, young artists will be selling their wares at the Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale, with a record breaking 283 young artists ages 8 to 18.

Experience the excitement of Arts Fest at 3 Dots Downtown this Wednesday through Saturday. Enjoy captivating free puppetry performances, followed by paid puppetry workshops suitable for all ages. Explore the Artists' Market@ 3 Dots Downtown and discover the works of 15 talented local artists, makers, and musicians. Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable celebration of art, music, craftsmanship and more exciting events at 3 Dots Downtown this Wednesday - Saturday!

This summer, our community calendar is full of amazing outdoor events featuring local artists, dancers, musicians and food. Plan your summer vacations accordingly so you don’t miss out on the amazing festivals right here in Happy Valley!

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be an absolute feast for the senses! With a record-breaking number of participants on-hand, there will be a lot to see, do, and EAT!

For many artists, their work is a labor of love — a fact made all the more apparent when your work consists of a dilapidated historic home that can’t be saved, you’re a one-man show, and there’s no gain in sight other than simply contributing something beautiful to a community. Such is the case with Benjamin Fehl and The Crooked House.

Explore Happy Valley no matter the season! There are seven show caves open to the public in Pennsylvania, and a record three are located in Happy Valley. Here’s how you can enjoy an underground excursion.

When Amy Debach moved to Bellefonte in 2006, she was enthralled with the duality of the area — rural yet metro, culturally diverse yet deeply rooted in history. It’s a mix that invited involvement and has kept her here for close to two decades. She spoke to [Bellefonte.com] about the best ways to volunteer and what everyone needs to check out while they are in town. Read on!

Happy Valley’s vibrant arts and culture scene is one of the biggest draws for residents and visitors alike. State-of-the-art facilities for the performing arts draw popular tours for large-scale productions, theatre and dance troupes, musical acts of all varieties, comedians and more. From the big stage at Eisenhower Auditorium to a more intimate setting at The State Theatre, every year brings an array of diverse opportunities for all ages. The following is a select highlight of performing arts happening in the area: