If you’re thinking of making the move to State College, you probably want to stay in the loop about interesting things going on in the area. Here are a few noteworthy things we’ve been talking about lately!

Pictured: A frozen and snowy Colyer Lake on January 21.

In addition to snow – and ice and rain and more snow! – here’s what’s been going on:

State College Food Bank, times two!

Our local food bank is doubling in size thanks to a recently launched $3 million capital campaign. The new and improved version of this welcoming local support system will include an open pantry (essentially a “free grocery store”) with a warehouse and loading dock to process donations.

If you’ve never had a reason to celebrate a loading dock before, let this be your first! The addition of a dock means the food bank will be able to welcome tractor trailers – and lots of bulk food purchased at cheaper prices – for the first time.

Even more trails to love…

It’s no secret that the outdoor recreation scene in State College is one of the very best things about living here. (And we literally have mountain tops from which to shout about it.)

When we heard the news that more than 50 miles of new hiking, biking, and equestrian trails were planned – and are already underway! – in Rothrock State Forest? We scrambled to the nearest peak to declare our joy. (If you heard, “Thank you Rothrock Trail Alliance, private donors, and grants from Happy Valley Adventure Bureau!” echoing through our valleys lately, now you know why…)

Secret Planet. Have you been?

Overheard by a State College local recently: “I’m never missing another one of these events!” Secret Planet is a concert series that’s been bringing international and globally-inspired music to Central PA – think psychedelic roots bands from Ethiopia and Tuvan Throat Singers! – and people are loving it. If you’ve already missed the first few performances, don’t panic. (But make sure to put the next one on your calendar!)

And do we love art or chocolate or clean waterways more?

It’s a tough call, so why choose? ClearWater Conservancy is hosting their annual Art & Chocolate fundraiser on Feb. 2 and if you’re not sure what this incredible organization does or why you’d want to support it, give us a moment to put on our Proud Local hat and brag about the thousands of acres of ecologically rare and significant landscapes and waterways they’ve protected, the 30,000 student field trips to Milbrook Marsh they’ve sponsored, the abundance of trees and shrubs they’ve planted, or the inclusive access to outdoor experiences they give us through their Centred Outdoors program.

Oh! And did you catch these?

We recently published a blog post about all of your favorite things from 2023 and this post was one of our Instagram community’s favorites in January!

For more of-the-moment updates from Rediscover State College, join us on Instagram.