State College born and raised, Aidan Turnage-Barney went to the University of Wyoming for a year before returning to central Pennsylvania to enroll as a recreational management student at Lock Haven University.

Keriann Smith came to Happy Valley to get her degree in Hospitality Management from Penn State. She got a lot more in return. “I instantly fell in love with Happy Valley and the community,” she said. “I love being outdoors whether it’s snowboarding in the winter or One-Wheeling in the summer.”

Hyatt Place Sales Manager Tiffany Wren says that she fell into working in hospitality by accident, and has watched it blossom into a career she loves.

Kate Kenealy, Big Spring Spirits’ Social Media Manager and Photographer got her degree in French from Penn State and taught for a few years before coming back to Happy Valley. “I fell in love with this area all over again,” she said. “It’s just as great as any place I’d been — I’m choosing to be here.”

On August 27, experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Miami’s Carnival right here in Happy Valley with HavanaFest.

“It is a street festival with two bands, a DJ, Caribbean dancers, a full traditional Cuban meal, Cuban coffee, beer and wine. You can even learn to roll your own cigar in a very laid back atmosphere,” Tony Ghaffari, owner of Your Cigar Den, and organizer of HavanaFest, said.

Penn State professor Bing Pan is on a mission to expand people’s horizons through the power of travel, and he’s doing it right here in the heart of Pennsylvania. Ask why and he’ll give you both left brained and right brained reasons for living, working and playing in Happy Valley. Short answer: it’s one of the smartest places in the US, and it’s full of energy, creativity and fun.

“What do you do with an 1857 house that can’t be saved?”

It depends on who you ask. If you ask Benjamin Fehl, who moved to the area to go to Penn State and fell in love with Happy Valley, the answer is clear: You make art.

Fehl, who has a background in both art and architecture, bought an 1850s house in Milesburg at an auction in 2004. At first, his vision was to restore the little house that had belonged to Abigail Miles, the niece of the founder of Milesburg. He uncovered bits of history, from a massive stone fireplace to 150-year-old handprints in the plaster.

New Mover Welcome Pack offers fun and treats with no strings attached!

Starting in July, people moving into Centre County will be welcomed to the area Happy Valley-style compliments of Penn State Health Medical Group. They’ll be receiving a New Mover Welcome Kit, which features a white board-style magnet To Do List and a gift card for two free cones at Penn State Berkey Creamery. Not only that, but each recipient has a chance to win a grand prize Adventure Pack filled with experiences, tastes and activities that promise to be the start of a great Happy Valley experience.

Enjoy Happy Valley like the locals do with a midweek adventure!

Happy Valley isn’t just for weekends. In fact, there’s something magical about workday Happy Valley — it’s less crowded, more local, and just as jam-packed with culture, arts and events.