Lock Haven Express file photo
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and the People’s Choice Festival are expected to bring crowds to the State College area after a two-year hiatus due to COVID.
STATE COLLEGE – They are back.
This week, the art festivals return to Central District. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and the People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts are back. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, often simply called “Arts Fest,” takes place in and around State College. The Peoples Choice Festival will have a new look for 2022 when it moves to a new location. Here’s a look at both festivals in more detail:
Making a grand return in 2022 is the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival, which took place neither in 2020 nor in 2021.
Rick Bryant, the managing director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, spoke about the long-awaited return of Arts Fest.
“It’s exciting, a little scary. You wonder, ‘What have we forgotten?’ I hope not much, ”said Bryant with a laugh. “The response in the community has been great. I would say the people I meet are just very excited about it.”
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is arguably one of the biggest events of the summer in Happy Valley. The event, which takes place from July 14 to July 17, will bring thousands of visitors to the city.
“It’s one of the ways we set the clock here this summer in Central District. You can set your clock from us and we haven’t been around in a long time. I think people are looking forward to coming back,” Bryant said.
After the planning process began for 2022, Bryant said, it was a game (back).
“It’s a bit like a bicycle. We are very fortunate that our paid staff have been here long enough. We have a lot of life experience. Hopefully, we’ll remember what to do, ”Bryant said with a laugh.
With his many years as managing director, Bryant knows the economic impact Arts Fest has is huge.
“People don’t come to State College for free. Here people spend all their money. The Art Festival was founded in 1967 to be an engine of economic development. Students left and the city fathers and mothers decided we needed some tourism to round out our economy, so the Art Festival, ”Bryant said.
The Art Festival held a number of virtual events during the hiatus, but Bryant said he is looking forward to returning to live personal events.
There’s something new this year: Arts Fest is partnering with the Central PA Tasting Trail to offer a select craft drinking area where visitors can try locally brewed beer, wine and cider. The Tasting Road will be open and will serve alcohol from noon until last call at 6:30 p.m. from July 14 to July 16 in an enclosed area at the Martin Luther King Jr. Square on South Fraser Street.
The Taste Trail, a group of local craft beverage suppliers, consists of 13 Center County breweries, middlemen, distilleries and wineries. Up to six members will be on site daily offering samples and purchases with the bottle or glass.
“We put our toes into the water with some more adult events,” Bryant said. “I think it will make a lot of people happy.”
Also back in 2022 is the People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts.
Director John Madison spoke of a return after a two-year hiatus.
“We’ve been without business for the last two years,” Madison said. “But things are going well. We have 160 artisans, nine wineries returning and probably about 18 special food vendors. I get more excited every day. “
The popular “alternative” art festival moves from its well-known location on the Pennsylvania Military Museum grounds to the Grange Fairgrounds in Center Hall. But just because the festival is moving doesn’t mean it’s changing. Quite the opposite, according to Madison.
“It’s basically going to be the same thing that was in the museum. It’s going to be arranged roughly the same way. It’s going to be in a big ‘U’ out there. come back strong, “Madison said.
As the festival grew in popularity over the years, it began to outgrow its space in Boalsburg. A relocation, Madison said, is exactly what the doctor ordered.
“We didn’t plan to relocate from where we were, but the government had other ideas. I can understand; it’s their decision to make. I really think it’s going to be the best thing for us in the long run. I’m really excited about it,” he said. Madison.
The People’s Election Festival will also take place from July 14th to July 17th.
