When most people hear IRONMAN, they probably think Robert Downey Jr. or maybe Black Sabbath or even Philadelphia Eagles’ Hall of Famer and the NFL’s last Iron Man, Chuck Bednarik. But for the next three years – and hopefully longer – IRONMAN will have a special meaning here in Happy Valley. Through 2025, nearly 3,000 ironmen and ironwomen will descend upon Happy Valley annually for the IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley Triathlon.

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.

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 has lots of great food in restaurants and places with a story to tell. There are restaurants that feature fine dining and innovative dishes. There are the classic places that feature your favorite dishes. Restaurants with themes and history. Happy Valley also has over 1,000 active farms producing lots of food and products to eat and enjoy. I visited five great places in Happy Valley to enjoy a meal or a snack.

If you’re still planning your summer travels, then we encourage you to consider coming to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Summer festivals, outdoor adventures, and unique dining opportunities are just a few of the things waiting for you here.

Whether you are a visitor to Centre County, a local, or a Penn State graduate, The Happy Valley Store at 204 West Beaver Avenue in State College is the place to visit! Not only does our center present visitors with information about exciting up-and-coming events, but we have the perfect souvenirs to commemorate your Happy Valley visit.

It's never too early to take tick precautions. May is the most active time for ticks in Pennsylvania, and with the mild winter, we have already been in the midst of tick season for some time. Ticks will remain active throughout the summer and into the fall.

As the organizer of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association annual conference, I was stuck indoors while the rest of the attendees got to enjoy the outdoor adventures that Happy Valley has to offer. As the conference concluded, I breathed a sigh of relief of a job well done. The major duties of organizing the event were in the rearview mirror, and the weight of responsibility was lifted by the members, who continually remarked about how much they enjoyed the event that took place in Happy Valley.