Mariana Forteza Site


<p>Thousands of people flocked to downtown State College on a sunny Saturday afternoon to celebrate Pride and the LGBTQ community.</p>



<p>Presented by Centre LGBTQA Support Network, Downtown State College Improvement District and State College Borough, the third annual State College Pride <a href="https://stcodev.wpengine.com/articles/community/parade-festival-among-state-college-pride-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">included</a> a parade of colorful floats and marchers through town and a festival in Sidney Friedman Park, among other events throughout the weekend.</p>



<p>State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, served as grand marshal of the parade and festival. A frequent visitor to Centre County, Kenyatta is the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.</p>



<p>He called 2023 &#8220;probably the most important year for Pride in a really long time,&#8221; noting a vocal anti-LGBTQ contingent and legislation in a number of states, particularly related to transgender individuals. </p>



<p>&#8220;In this moment, in this Pride year, what we are doing right now, showing up with joy in our hearts, showing up for and with each other in real community, that is critical right now,&#8221; Kenyatta said. &#8220;Because this is actually what our communities look like. This is actually where most people are&#8230; Do not believe the noise and the nonsense that most people are as hateful and vitriolic as some of the politicians who unfortunately get elected&#8230;. For Pride, it’s really critical for us as a community that we recognize our joy does not exist in contrast to their hatred.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pride-2023-kenyatta-lane-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424953"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, State College Pride grand marshal, and Judge Timika Lane lead the 2023 Pride parade. Photo by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Pennsylvania, Kenyatta said, should aspire to be the best place to live, raise a family and retire for everyone, including LGBTQ people.</p>



<p>&#8220;We deserve to be happy, to be joyous, to be just who you are every single day, no matter what they’re talking about, no matter what they’re doing,&#8221; he said. &#8220;You just be who the hell you are.&#8221;</p>



<p>State College Mayor Ezra Nanes acknowledged that some in attendance may be feeling scared, worried or uncertain because of events nationally. </p>



<p>&#8220;It’s OK to feel that,&#8221; Nanes said. &#8220;I want you to know that me, Ezra Nanes, my family, the Borough of State College, we are here for you. We will always be here for you. We’re going to keep building on the amazing work that you’ve already done, that we’ve already done together.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pride-2023-3-1024x751.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424937"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pride-2023-8-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424942"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Photos by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Nanes issued a proclamation last week declaring June as Pride Month in the borough, and as the parent of an LGBTQ child, he called Pride &#8220;not just principle,&#8221; but also personal.</p>



<p>&#8220;One of the greatest joys in life, whether you’re a parent or a sibling or just an adult with a child in your life that matters, is supporting that child in discovering who they are,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I think that’s a really important principle of what Pride is, that we all believe in helping people discover themselves, not telling them who they should be.&#8221;</p>



<p>State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Lemont, said Pride is also personal for him and his family and called it a &#8220;joyful occasion.</p>



<p>&#8220;This represents the absolute best of what State College is and can be,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This sets the standard for what every day should be like. You are not only seen, you are not only accepted, but you should be celebrated and you should be loved. If we could bottle today and make every day like that, wouldn’t this be a better world, a better place to be?&#8221;</p>



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<figcaption class="blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption"><em>Scenes from the 2023 Pride parade in downtown State College. Photos by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Timika Lane, a Philadelphia judge who is running for Pennsylvania Superior Court in November, emphasized the importance of individuals making their voices heard to ensure all are treated with dignity and respect.</p>



<p>&#8220;We have to decide in Pennsylvania, what is it going to be? Are we going to be a place of love or are we going to be a place of hate?&#8230; Your voice matters,&#8221; Lane said.</p>



<p>Kenyatta urged those in attendance to be true to themselves, knowing that it will inspire someone else to do the same.</p>



<p>&#8220;If we lift each other up, if we encourage each other to be brave, if we remind ourselves that we are the majority of this commonwealth, that we are the majority of this nation, when we do that then we will continue to pull this nation closer to making the ideals of freedom, justice and fairness real for everybody,&#8221; he said. &#8220;No matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter who you love, no matter how you worship or choose not to, here in Pennsylvania it’s about you getting a fair shot and a fair shake. We’re going to keep doing that together.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pride-2023-9-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424943"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Photo by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>State College Pride has grown substantially since it was first held in 2021. Last year it drew an estimated 4,000 people and organizers expected that number would increase again for the third edition.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.centrelgbtqa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centre LGBTQA Support Network</a> (CLSN), which was founded in 2014, has been instrumental in that, as well as in providing resources year round. Sue Marshall, a founding member and current board secretary, said planning for next year&#8217;s Pride will start next week.</p>



<p>In the shorter term, however, CLSN will be celebrating another advancement. A long-planned LGBTQ center for downtown State College will open sometime in August at the corner of Calder Way and South Pugh Street, Marshall said.</p>



<p>&#8220;We can’t wait,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We will have a big opening celebration.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pride-2023-anchor-arrow-2-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424949"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Community members danced while Anchor &amp; Arrow played at the 2023 State College Pride festival on Saturday, June 10, in Sidney Friedman Park.</em> <em>Photo by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com</em></figcaption></figure>


‘Showing Up with Joy in Our Hearts.’ State College Celebrates Pride


<p>There may be just one person who claims not to know who will start at quarterback for Penn State football when the team begins its season against West Virginia on Sept. 2.</p>



<p>While Drew Allar has been set as the presumed successor to longtime starting quarterback Sean Clifford since the day that he stepped onto Penn State’s campus in January 2022, James Franklin didn’t declare a winner to the Nittany Lions’ quarterback competition with 86 days until the season opener.</p>



<p>“We have competition at every single position, every single year, returning starter or not,” Franklin told the media on Thursday. “I think that’s the right thing to do.”</p>



<p>Allar’s competition at the position is Beau Pribula, who, like Allar, was a member of the Nittany Lions’ recruiting Class of 2022. The difference between the two was that Allar was a five-star recruit by the time he arrived on campus. Pribula was a three-star.</p>



<p>More recently, Allar took snaps behind Clifford in the 2022 season. The youngster played in enough games that he was unable to take a redshirt season. By contrast, Pribula didn’t take a snap in a Penn State game until the Blue-White Game in April, when he attempted 22 of his 27 passes with second-string players.</p>



<p>Franklin’s hesitation to name a starter isn’t surprising. Entering his 10th year with Penn State, Franklin wants competition at the position. It’s likely that Allar will only stick around Penn State for two more years. Franklin will need someone to step up when the Ohio native is gone.</p>



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<p>It’s a situation that Franklin has had before. From 2016-17, he had running backs Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders on the same roster. Barkley was a shout for a Heisman candidate in college, and when Sanders turned pro, he reached last season’s Super Bowl as the starting running back for the Philadelphia Eagles.</p>



<p>At Penn State, Barkley was the evident starter. But Franklin said that competition between the two made them both better. If Franklin has his way, the same will happen to Allar and Pribula.</p>



<p>“I think at times there may have been some frustration with that, but I truly believe that type of competition in college really set them up to be successful in the NFL,” Franklin said. “[Barkley] always had somebody behind him trying to take reps away from him. And [Sanders], as a young player, was trying to overtake [Barkley]. So I think that is a healthy position to be in.”</p>



<p>Franklin also has to answer the question of how he’ll use each quarterback. As Mike Yurcich, Penn State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach said at the same press conference, each quarterback has different styles. Gameplans have to be tailored to those styles.</p>



<p>Allar’s been described as a quarterback who’s steady in the pocket. Teammates have raved about his ability to place passes in locations where only a receiver can catch them. Allar can be mobile but his arm is what really sets him apart from the pack.</p>



<p>Pribula, however, is described as athletic. He’s the quarterback that Franklin and Yurcich could turn to when they need to push a pile or in a situation that calls for a mobile quarterback. He’s the Nittany Lions’ alternate.</p>



<p>However Franklin plays the two quarterbacks, it will likely be some time before Penn State fans have an answer to the question that’s hung over the program for more than a year. Franklin noted that he wanted Clifford to compete for a starting role for the six years that the recent&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://onwardstate.com/2023/04/29/sean-clifford-drafted-no-149-overall-by-green-bay-packers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NFL draftee</a></strong>&nbsp;spent in Happy Valley. The same will apply to Allar.</p>



<p>If Franklin has 86 days to name a starter against the Mountaineers, he may just use all 86.</p>


‘We Have Competition at Every Single Position’: Penn State Quarterback Question Still Unanswered


<p>As the sun rises over Boalsburg, diners of all ages seeking eggs, coffee and community flock to Breakfast on Boal. The restaurant along Boal Avenue offers a variety of breakfast favorites with local influences and Southwestern inspiration.</p>



<p>Longtime friends and owners Brad Holzwarth and Mike Smoczynski opened Breakfast on Boal in May 2022.</p>



<p>“It’s been really cool to meet our customers over the last year,” Holzwarth says.</p>



<p>The duo grew up in Boalsburg and, after Smoczynski returned to the area from Colorado, they decided to fill the need for a sit-down breakfast restaurant outside of town. Holzwarth and Smoczynski are self-described morning people, so breakfast was the natural choice.</p>



<p>“It’s cool to be able to provide the community with that,” Smoczynski says.</p>



<p>Holzwarth and Smoczynski designed the menu to include breakfast classics like pancakes and French toast while incorporating influences from Smoczynski’s time in Colorado.</p>



<p>“We wanted to be different,” Smoczynski says.</p>



<p>Their use of chorizo, green chile sauce and homemade jams and muffins set the restaurant apart from other eateries in the area.</p>



<p>Opening at seven each morning except Mondays, <a href="https://www.breakfastonboal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Breakfast on Boal</a> serves a variety of breakfast sandwiches, platters and sides. Popular dishes include the B.O.B Sandwich (locally homemade brioche bun, egg, cheese and choice of meat with a side of potatoes) and Boalsburg Breakfast (two eggs your way with potatoes, toast and choice of protein).</p>



<p>Holzwarth recommends the Chorizo Hash, a crispy bed of seasoned shredded potatoes with chorizo, onions and peppers. The serving is large and comes with two eggs and toast, which can be accompanied by a made-in-house jam like the summery blueberry lemon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Breakfast-on-Boal-exterior-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422955"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Breakfast on Boal is open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Photo by Hannah Pollock)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The duo also says the Breakfast Burrito is a great way to fill up and sample Southwestern tastes. The dish includes fluffy and moist scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese and the diner’s choice of protein wrapped in a tortilla with an accompanying side of the flavorful green chile. The sauce pairs well with the burrito, enhancing the flavors without too intense of a spicy kick. It is a great addition to the breakfast classics offered on the menu.</p>



<p>“Those kinds of things are unique to us. They differentiate us from others,” Holzwarth says of the menu options.</p>



<p>The menu also boasts area favorites like the world-famous Grilled Stickies from Ye Olde College Diner. The pastries are sliced, glazed, grilled and dusted with powdered sugar, bringing back old State College memories.</p>



<p></p>



<p>For those seeking an offering on the lighter side, consider the Pine Street Parfait, which includes layers of fresh fruit and yogurt with homemade granola. Diners can also try a homemade muffin (flavors rotate each season as fresh ingredients become available) or the Avocado Toast (served on sourdough with tomato, arugula, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pickled red onion).</p>



<p>Breakfast on Boal is a place for everyone—from families with young children to retirees and everyone in between. The restaurant offers a Little Boalsburg Breakfast for the kiddos, which includes one scrambled egg, one strip of bacon and a silver dollar pancake.</p>



<p>Holzwarth and Smoczynski say diners often walk from Boalsburg, while others stop by on their drive in or out of State College. Holzwarth says their popularity has been a bit of a grassroots movement.</p>



<p>“Someone drives by, sees it, and comes in,” he says. “Someone’s neighbors say they’ve been here, so they come to check it out.”</p>



<p>Breakfast on Boal is located at 603 Boal Avenue, near Route 45 in Boalsburg. Its location is great for those seeking a breakfast spot outside of downtown State College and for those driving on Route 322.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Smoczynski says new faces continue to appear in the dining room, and both owners are excited to continue serving local and visiting diners while sharing a little bit of Boalsburg with them.</p>



<p>“We’re two local kids doing local breakfast in Boalsburg,” Holzwarth says.</p>



<p>“We really grew up together,” Smoczynski adds, pointing to a register counter where a framed photo of younger versions of themselves is displayed.</p>



<p>Holzwarth and Smoczynski’s pride for their hometown is a major theme at Breakfast on Boal. When customers enter the front door, they are met with a wall of photos from the Boalsburg Heritage Museum. Smoczynski says it all comes back to their upbringing in the area.</p>



<p>“We wanted to connect everything together and show some of the history,” he says. “It’s a really cool area that has treated us well.”</p>



<p>The breakfast and host counters at Breakfast on Boal are also a nod to local history. The duo says&nbsp;PA Redeemed Woodworks&nbsp;created the furniture using locally sourced reclaimed wood.&nbsp;<em>T&amp;G</em></p>



<p><em>Hannah Pollock is a freelance writer in State College.</em></p>


Taste of the Month: Breakfast on Boal Serves Up Hometown Favorites with a Southwest Edge


<p>As the summer heats up, area residents can cool down at their nearest community pool. Four Centre County pools are open now through Labor Day — Millheim Pool, Mountain Top Swimming Pool, Park Forest Community Pool and William L. Welch Community Pool. The pools are open to everyone, regardless of residence.</p>



<p>Kepler Pool in Bellefonte will remain closed again during the 2023 season. More funding is being sought for needed repairs.</p>



<p><strong>SNOW SHOE POOL</strong></p>



<p>The Mountain Top Swimming Pool at Snow Shoe is managed by the Mountain Top Area Swimming Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and relies on admission fees and donations to operate the pool for the public.</p>



<p>“Kids from the YMCA in Bellefonte have been coming here the past two years to practice for their swim team,” said Jennifer Nastase, MTASA president and manager of the pool. “We host various daycares and have for many years.” She said no child is ever turned away.</p>



<p>“Please watch our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Mountain-Top-Area-Pool-Association/100057881460434/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook page</a>,” she said. “I’m trying to have a set schedule of events every week.” She is considering events like movie nights and Slushy Sundays.</p>



<p>Nastase said the pool plans to hire three more lifeguards and may extend the season beyond Labor Day, depending on the weather and if the lifeguards can work. At the end of the season, they’ll have a doggy swim.</p>



<p>“The one big thing we are going to miss since COVID, again this year, is our bus program,” Nastase said. “It&#8217;s just a shame. It served so many aspects of life, getting kids to the school for the free lunch program as well as socializing and exercising.”</p>



<p>She said the school buses are no longer available to be rented for the program, and the organization can’t afford to hire a commercial bus service.</p>



<p>“We have a wonderful pool,” she said. “About 12 years ago, a group of people decided to fix it up. There are a lot of these pools built about 55 years ago. If people don’t keep them up, they’re failing. You can’t build these pools now for less than millions of dollars.”</p>



<p>She said the organization received $25,000 from the Centre County Commissioners this year. Area clubs, individuals and State Correctional Institution at Rockview help with ongoing repairs. Fred “Dick” Thompson and his family are generous supporters who built the pool pavilion.</p>



<p>The organization is seeking additional funding for rebuilding the baby pool and other projects.</p>



<p>&nbsp;“There’s nothing here for the kids to do,” Nastase said. “I need to offer them something to do, and for their parents. I need to keep this alive. Keep them out of trouble.</p>



<p>“We have a small concession stand and Hershey ice cream, or pack a lunch,” she said.&nbsp; “Come stay cool at the pool.”</p>



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<p><strong>MILLHEIM POOL</strong></p>



<p>The Millheim Pool and the surrounding Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park are also managed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Penns Valley Park and Recreation Association Inc., and the pool is funded by donations and memberships.</p>



<p>“I got involved 10 years ago, as a way to give back,” said PVPRA President Collen Swetland.</p>



<p>She said any size family will be admitted for the family rate. “Everybody’s welcome. We will have two to three family days with some games and food to try to attract more families.”</p>



<p>“September 4 is the end of the season. All the lifeguards are high school kids. They start back to school and school sports,” she said.</p>



<p>On Sunday, June 11, the PVPRA is partnering with the Millheim Legion to hold a cornhole tournament. The proceeds will go to the pool.</p>



<p>New this year is the addition of lap swimming in two lanes. Swetland said this was requested to allow people to prepare for the pool’s largest fundraiser, the Penns Valley Triathlon, which draws competitors from neighboring states. More information can be obtained by emailing Jean Karp, <a href="mailto:pennsvalleytri@gmail.com">pennsvalleytri@gmail.com</a>.</p>



<p>&nbsp;“For two years, no one was able to come out to the pool. It deteriorates faster when it’s not being used or it’s being used too hard,” Swetland said.</p>



<p>The PVPRA board decided not to repair the damaged baby pool due to the expense and turned it into a sandbox play space.</p>



<p>“Last year was the first year twilight memberships were offered,” Swetland said. It’s a lower cost option for admission from 5 p.m. to close on weekdays plus weekends and holidays.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The pool offers fitness programs before the pool opens, and swimming and SCUBA lessons. A coed league plays at the pool’s sand volleyball court on Wednesday nights.</p>



<p>Swetland said Millheim Pool started a new partnership with East Penns Valley Library at the pool’s Splash Bash on June 2 to celebrate the last day of school. The library brought books so kids could read in the shade.</p>



<p>“We worked with the Millheim Lions club and the national Lions Club to get an ADA lift chair for folks who are wheelchair bound to lower them into the pool,” she said.</p>



<p>PVPRA received a grant for $25,000 of COVID money from the county commissioners and will use it to buy a new chlorinator pump and a new vacuum system.</p>



<p>&nbsp;The pool receives support from the Millheim Fire Company, Lions Club, local businesses and the Millheim Legion. She says people are welcome to volunteer to help with fundraisers and donations.</p>



<p><strong>STATE COLLEGE POOLS</strong></p>



<p>Centre Region Parks and Recreation manages two public pools in the State College area, Park Forest Community Pool and William L. Welch Community Pool. Memberships and daily admission fees are discounted for residents of State College Borough and the townships of College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton.</p>



<p>“The membership passes are valid at both pools,” said Todd Roth, CRPR aquatic supervisor. “Some people switch it up, depending on where they live. With my kids, it was wherever their friends went.”</p>



<p>The CRPR <a href="https://www.crpr.org/aquatics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> lists SCUBA and swimming classes, plus special events, including a family film night on Aug. 11 and a build-your-own cardboard boat race on July 8.</p>



<p>“We do constant updates on our website,” Roth said. “If they have a question, they can look and get the latest information.”</p>



<p>In June and July, each pool will offer Wibit on alternating weekends, beginning with Welch Pool on June 10-11, Roth said. He described Wibit as a floating obstacle course. Participants run across the big inflatable pieces and try not to fall into the water. “It’s pretty fantastic,” he said.</p>



<p>CRPR may offer bonus days to open Welch Pool on some additional weekends in September. Roth said it will depend on the weather, the availability of staff and the home game schedule. Park Forest Pool will host a dog swim event in September.</p>



<p>“I think we’ve got great amenities — waterslides and a splash pad for kids,” Roth said. “It’s good, wholesome family fun.</p>


Community Pools Are Open for Summer Fun


<p>As Judy Hyman tells the story, Gus Tritsch and his mother arrived at the <a href="https://elkcreekcafe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elk Creek Café</a> in Millheim in 2008 to watch Hyman’s band, The Horse Flies, at soundcheck. Tritsch was four at the time and had recently started taking violin lessons from her.</p>



<p>As she would soon learn, Tritsch was not like any other fiddle student she’d ever had.</p>



<p>“He watched the sound check in a way that four-year-olds typically can’t. It was almost uncanny,” Hyman says. “Never seen a four-year-old stand that still and look that focused.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some 15 years later, Tritsch is making a name for himself as a multi-instrumentalist who blends old-time string band music with modern rock and roll. The instruments he plays include fiddle, guitar and the banjouke, which looks like a banjo but is played like a ukulele.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Tritsch says he knew he wanted to be a musician not long after meeting Hyman and seeing The Horse Flies at the Elk Creek Cafe. He’s stuck to that plan despite feelings of self-doubt that cropped up over the years.</p>



<p>“I probably knew it when I was six and doubted it later,” Tritsch says. “I don’t really focus on whether someone is a professional musician or not. Some of the people I’ve learned the most from are not professionals.”</p>



<p>Over the past year, he’s performed at venues and festivals across the country with roots musician Jake Blount, a fellow student of Hyman’s. That tour included a stop at NPR’s&nbsp;<em>Tiny Desk Concert</em>&nbsp;series and performances throughout the United Kingdom. He toured Spain in April 2022 with the Penns Valley-based rock band Marah and will be back on the road with Blount this summer.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Jake Blount: Tiny Desk Concert" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uMPFEXq1eSU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jake Blount&#8217;s NPR Tiny Desk performance featured Gus Tritsch on electric guitar.</figcaption></figure>



<p>In between national gigs, Tritsch and his younger brother, Huck, perform as the band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MillheimMusic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wicked Chicken</a>. The duo played at Lewisburg’s Downtown Theatre in February as part of the Weis Center for the Performing Arts spring season.</p>



<p>Tritsch’s musical foundation comes from Hyman and her husband, Jeff Claus, who are one half of The Horse Flies. They would meet for lessons throughout the year, either at Hyman and Claus’s home in Ithaca, New York, or at Tritsch’s home in Millheim if The Horse Flies were in town to perform at the Elk Creek Cafe.</p>



<p>“I would often play him something and he would imitate it, but when I was playing I noticed that he would turn his head to the side,” Hyman says. “Other students do it because they’re distracted, but Gus was doing it because he didn’t want anything to get in the way of hearing the sound clearly.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Aside from the old-time traditions, Tritsch picked up rock-and-roll showmanship from Marah’s Dave Bielanko, who invited him to play on the 2014 album&nbsp;<em>Marah Presents Mountain Minstrelsy of Pennsylvania</em>.</p>



<p>“My education in performing was at Elk Creek and I started playing with Mountain Minstrelsy when I was ten or eleven,” Tritsch says. “Stage fright didn’t really factor into it and I learned a lot from watching the other members of the band on stage.”</p>



<p>It was that combination of old and new that made Blount reach out to Tritsch when he was putting a band together to perform songs from his albums&nbsp;<em>Spider Tales</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;The New Faith, which he says are very different musically. Tritsch primarily plays electric guitar in Blount’s band but also plays banjouke and other instruments as needed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Wicked Chicken performs When I Was a Cowboy (Leadbelly)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fotKeW4kPNI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>“We went from being an acoustic string band to being electrified and weird, and he was able to do both things equally well,” Blount says. “He also brought a rock sensibility when the rest of us were coming out of folk music.”</p>



<p>Blount recalls a show in Chicago where Tritsch sat on the stairs during one of his guitar solos, evoking showmanship that he was worried would raise some eyebrows in the folk world. However, Blount says fans are supportive of the new sound and Tritsch’s role in the band.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“People tend to react to me having him around and ask me if I’m a mentor to Gus, and I feel like the opposite way around,” Blount says. “He’s showing me how to do new things, just makes it all better.”</p>



<p>Elk Creek Cafe Owner Tim Bowser says he knew Tritsch was talented early on. He always saw other musicians who performed with Tritsch respect that talent, rather than treat him as a novelty because of his age. Bowser says he wouldn’t have invited Tritsch to play on his stage if he didn’t think he was up to the musical standard he sets for the venue.</p>



<p>“I’m honored that Gus and Huck got their start in Millheim and they honor that,” Bowser says. “With Gus getting national attention, people are constantly saying, ‘I saw him here first,’ and I would always agree that’s great to see it unfolding how it has.”</p>



<p>At the time of this interview in March, Tritsch was gearing up to go back on the road after being home most of the winter. He’s spending more time playing fiddle after playing guitar in Blount’s band. He’s also started writing his own fiddle tunes with guidance from Hyman and Claus.</p>



<p>Tritsch shuns routine in his life and stays away from spending too much time on social media, saying, “I know how to use a tape machine but I don’t know how to use Instagram.” He knows music will always be part of his life but is still sorting out whether that path will include formal education.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“I’m committed to continuing my education in music, whether that’s in college or learning by a campfire somewhere or standing behind someone on stage and watching what they do,” Tritsch says. “I’ll always keep learning about music.”&nbsp;<em>T&amp;G</em></p>



<p><em>Jenna Spinelle is a writer, podcaster and live-music fan based in State College.</em></p>


Launched from Elk Creek Café: Penns Valley Native Strikes a New Chord on the National Stage


<p>Downtown State College Improvement District&#8217;s monthly First Friday celebration returns this week after a winter hiatus with music, art, food, shopping and more.</p>



<p>This month&#8217;s First Friday will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 7 throughout the downtown.</p>



<p>New this year, DSCID is also introducing First Friday Sidewalk Sales, with merchants extending their shops onto their sidewalks during individual business hours, weather permitting. Participating businesses for April can be found <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VBe1oTNJYQC6uH3ChgJYwCinen6tPPMs6KBl41KZaf97Vu8fvvRizAf1FqiMeJV13n9kzmufe-d0ebiouJhm6286mvt_O2xLSV1JnxCRc4oJkU7WElB8n7380JmdKKKRUfI-th3PkJBpKfv5rYBnmQ-ULocmbPLAflqz6W5iQrdUKnr5QjKfVw==&amp;c=HQ3o79Wqa7EmN-8l8Erb4lobHLPv4k67UYvSLGwgjSVelSYje4Buaw==&amp;ch=rcX70Cg7q300igd6SiOoGnhk0nZHfdEP3QjWLCfjH4WfyVtqHFH5iA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>



<p>Live music will be performed from 5:30 to 8 p.m. each First Friday at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza stage on South Fraser Street and will feature a variety of local musicians from April through September. Beginning in May, the First Friday Market Jam returns as well, with musicians performing from noon to 2 p.m. at the downtown Farmers Market on Locust Lane.</p>



<p><strong>2023 First Friday Musical Lineup | 5:30-8 p.m. at the MLK Plaza</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>April 7:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SkoalBros" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Skoal Brothers&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><strong>May 5:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/missmelanieandthevalleyrats" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miss Melanie&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><strong>June 2:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sidewinder.official/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sidewinder</a></li>



<li><strong>July 7:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChrisRattie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris Rattie &amp; The New Rebels</a></li>



<li><strong>August 4:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063516518923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ted and the Hi-Fis&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><strong>September 1:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/okotterband" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OK Otter</a></li>
</ul>



<p><strong>First Friday Market Jam Entertainment | Noon-2 p.m. on Locust Lane</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>May 5</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/caryndixonmusic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caryn Dixon&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><strong>June 2</strong>:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_elegant_bull/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Anna Pearl Belinda</a></li>



<li><strong>July 7</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrisbellcountryrock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris Bell</a></li>



<li><strong>August 4</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/doug.irwin.963" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doug Irwin&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><strong>September 1</strong>: Eric Ian Farmer</li>
</ul>



<p>First Friday attendees will have access to galleries and shops after-hours along with free food and beverage offerings and special activities. Parking validations will be available from participating merchants offering free parking accommodations in Pugh, Fraser and Beaver garages.</p>



<p>See the full lineup of April First Friday entertainment, activities and deals on the <strong><a href="https://downtownstatecollege.com/event/april-first-friday/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DSCID website</a></strong>.</p>


First Friday Events Return to Downtown State College


<p>Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed on Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center as part of their 2023 tour. The band performed 27 songs and played for nearly three hours in front of a sold-out crowd that included fans of all ages.</p>



<p>Springsteen and the E Street Band last played in State College back on April 18, 2016.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-16-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560578"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560573"/></figure>



<p>After the band took the stage one by one in front of loud cheering and applause, the show was underway. Springsteen opened with “No Surrender,” leaving the crowd in awe with his electric energy.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-7-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560572"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-2-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560568"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-3-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560569"/></figure>



<p>Springsteen interacted with his audience throughout the show, giving high-fives and telling stories. He told the crowd about how his song “Last Man Standing” was inspired by his final moments with a lifelong friend and former band member before he passed away. Springsteen followed the story with a heartfelt performance of the song.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-14-scaled-1.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-13-scaled-1.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p>The E Street Band has been Springsteen’s primary backing band since 1972. The band’s talent, enthusiasm, and experience provided just as much excitement as “The Boss” did. Saxophonist Jake Clemons and guitarist Steven “Little Steven” Van Zandt wowed the audience throughout the show.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-15-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560577"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-6-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560571"/></figure>



<p>The group performed hit songs, including older classics such as “Born to Run,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Rosalita,” and newer songs, “Wrecking Ball” and “Letter to You.”</p>



<p>The final song performed was “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” which Springsteen followed with an acoustic version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams” before thanking the crowd and heading off the stage.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sophie-Yadzinski_Bruce-Springsteen-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-560580"/></figure>


Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Leave Bryce Jordan Center ‘Dancing in the Dark’


<p>Comedian and actor David Cross is bringing his &#8220;Worst Daddy in the World&#8221; stand-up comedy tour to State College.</p>



<p>Cross, perhaps best known for playing Tobias Fünke on &#8220;Arrested Development,&#8221; will perform at 8 p.m. on June 16 at The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave. State College is one of 13 new dates announced this week for the tour, which kicked off in December and is currently scheduled to conclude on June 24 at Irving Plaza in New York City.</p>



<p>Tickets for the 18-and-older show go on sale to State Theatre members at 10 a.m. on Thursday and to the general public at noon on Friday through <a href="https://thestatetheatre.org/events/david-cross-worst-daddy-in-the-world-tour/?occurrence=2023-06-16" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The State Theatre website</a>. Reserved seating is $52 and a VIP meet-and-greet package is $152. $2 from each ticket sold will be donated to The Innocence Project.</p>



<p>A stand-up who gained notoriety in the alt-comedy scene, Cross broke into television as a writer for &#8220;The Ben Stiller Show,&#8221; for which he won an Emmy Award in 1993. He went on to partner with Bob Odenkirk for the groundbreaking sketch comedy show &#8220;Mr. Show with Bob and David.&#8221;</p>



<p>Also a writer and director, he&#8217;s since performed in well over 100 films and television series, including as a co-star on &#8220;Arrested Development,&#8221; which ran for five seasons and won six Emmy Awards.</p>



<p>Cross has released five stand-up comedy albums, with 2002&#8217;s &#8220;Shut Up You F—ing Baby!&#8221; and 2016&#8217;s &#8220;…America…Great…&#8221; both nominated for Best Comedy Album at the Grammy Awards, and authored the 2013 book &#8220;I Drink for a Reason.&#8221; His most recent comedy special, 2022&#8217;s &#8220;I&#8217;m from the Future,&#8221; is available for streaming on his <a href="https://officialdavidcross.com/pages/im-from-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> and his 2019 special &#8220;Oh Come On&#8221; is available on Amazon Prime and Peacock.</p>



<p>He joins an eclectic lineup of touring acts headed to The State Theatre in the coming months:</p>



<p>• March 26 &#8211; The English Beat</p>



<p>• March 31 &#8211; Dan Tyminski Band</p>



<p>• April 14 &#8211; TUSK: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute</p>



<p>• April 18 &#8211; David Sedaris</p>



<p>• April 22 &#8211; Langhorne Slim and John Craigie</p>



<p>• April 25 &#8211; Hot Tuna: Acoustic Duo</p>



<p>• May 16 &#8211; Heartless Bastards</p>



<p>• May 19 &#8211; BoDeans</p>



<p>• June 16 &#8211; David Cross</p>



<p>For ticket information and show details, visit <a href="https://thestatetheatre.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The State Theatre website</a>.</p>


Comedian David Cross to Perform at State Theatre in June


<p>The Nittany Valley Writers Network will welcome guest speaker Yaw Agawu-Kakraba for its meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14 in the Community Room of  Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College. </p>



<p>Agawu-Kakraba is an author and Penn State professor of Spanish and African studies. He will speak about researching, writing and publishing his historical novel, &#8220;The Restless Crucible,&#8221; and about his two upcoming fiction books. &#8220;The Restless Crucible&#8221; is based on the true story of Pedro de Barbosa, a Brazilian ex-slave who became a slave merchant, and his conflict with Queen Ena Sunu, who resolved to end slave trafficking in her West African kingdom.</p>



<p>The meeting is free and open to the public. The Nittany Valley Writers&#8217; Network is a sharing, supportive community linking local writers of all genres and levels of experience. For more information, contact Dave at <a href="mailto:dmarvin14@msn.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dmarvin14@msn.com</a>.  </p>


Historical Novel Author Yaw Agawu-Kakraba to Speak at Nittany Valley Writers’ Meeting


<p>When Adam Yarger, Brandon Deamer and Alex Sterbenz first talked about forming a band back in 2022, little did they know they would soon have a growing fan base of college students requesting classic country songs every week.</p>



<p>Hailing from Central Pennsylvania, Yarger first met Deamer and Sterbenz through his wife, Lauren. Deamer and Sterbenz were playing in another band at the time, and after a trip to Nashville, the pair knew it was destined to start a country band of its own.</p>



<p>Yarger — a singer, songwriter and guitarist — was pursuing a solo music career at the time, and after moving back home from Nashville during the pandemic, he was ready to start anew. After getting married, his wife, Lauren, introduced him to Deamer and Sterbenz, who played the drums and guitar, respectively.</p>



<p>“We met with a little bit of luck, but Lauren was the one who brought us all together,” Sterbenz said.</p>



<p>The trio hit it off and decided to take a leap of faith and start their own band, Adam &amp; The Armadillos, in April of last year.</p>



<p>“We’ve been hitting the pavement ever since then,” Yarger said.</p>



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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmKewZ8JgdH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Adam and the Armadillos (@adamandthearmadillos)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>



<p>The band first started out by recording a few songs to see how the three of them sounded together.</p>



<p>“We did some recording at first just to see what would happen,” Sterbenz said. “Then we thought, ‘OK, this doesn’t suck. Maybe we have something.&#8217;”</p>



<p>Yarger described how it was tough to get everyone’s schedules together, but they knew they wanted to make the band happen.</p>



<p>“It was hard at first. [Deamer and Sterbenz] were playing in their other band, and I had a fully loaded schedule from my solo career,” he said.</p>



<p>“Our first gig together was actually an adult Easter egg hunt that was in the middle of the day. We thought if we don’t do this then we might not ever do it,” Yarger explained.</p>



<p>Luckily, the Armadillos got a great response. The three of them knew from that moment they could turn their dream into a reality.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/thumbnail_IMG_1285.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-557942"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Courtesy of Adam Yarger</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>The downtown State College music scene was desperate for a good old-fashioned country music band, and Adam &amp; the Armadillos were the missing piece.</p>



<p>Drummer Deamer and guitarist Sterbenz both had ties to the Phyrst downtown. After reaching out to the Phyrst’s management, they started playing Monday nights.</p>



<p>“We wanted to see if we could give the other country nights a run for their money, and it kind of took off from there. We’re doing pretty well for ourselves,” Deamer said.</p>



<p>“The only competition there was a Spotify playlist,” Sterbenz joked.</p>



<p>Only having played two other shows before, the group was shocked at the positive response from the students.</p>



<p>“It went way better than I thought it would go,” Yarger said. “They told us we were playing from midnight to 2 a.m., and I thought, ‘Who’s out at that time?!&#8217;”</p>



<p>“Sure enough, that night went really well and the feedback from everyone was kind of insane,” Yarger continued. “It kind of blew my mind because I didn’t realize that many people were into country [music] up here.”</p>



<p>Adam &amp; the Armadillos got its first big gig at THON 2023 when the group <strong><a href="https://onwardstate.com/2023/02/19/one-more-song-adam-and-the-armadillos-hold-down-country-hour-at-thon-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rocked the BJC</a></strong> in the early hours of Sunday morning. The band sang a mix of modern country, classics and a few originals.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://henr18y71trtnloh5jkqnqjqt.js.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AdamAndTheArmadillosTHONCountryMusicHour.JackAnderson-Jussen-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-554660"/></figure>



<p>“The reaction at THON was way more than any of us expected, given the time. Getting the encore was definitely a highlight for sure,” Sterbenz said.</p>



<p>Now he band is planning to head out west to Texas for a few gigs. But the trio will be back in State College for the summer and fall.</p>



<p>You can connect with Adam &amp; the Armadillos on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/adamandthearmadillos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Facebook</strong></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/adamandthearmadillos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>, or see the band live and in person every Monday at the Phyrst from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.</p>


Meet Adam & The Armadillos: The Country Band Rocking Through State College


<p>A legendary country music group will kick off the lineup of grandstand headliners at the 2023 Centre County Grange Fair in Centre Hall.</p>



<p>The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at 8 p.m. on Aug. 18, the fair <a href="https://www.facebook.com/centrecountygrangefair/videos/718033653190980/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced on Friday</a>.</p>



<p>Known for hits such as &#8220;Elvira,&#8221; &#8220;Bobbie Sue&#8221; and &#8220;American Made,&#8221; the current lineup of The Oak Ridge Boys — Duane Allen, Richard Sterban, Joe Bonsall and William Lee Golden —has been together for more than 50 years.</p>



<p>Originating as a southern Gospel group in 1945, the group had an evolving list of members until the current quartet joined together and found cross-over success with their distinctive sound on the country charts beginning in the early 1970s. Since then, The Oak Ridge Boys have had 12 gold and four platinum albums, and scored dozens of country chart-topping hits.</p>



<p>The group is the latest addition to a Grange Fair grandstand lineup of country musicians that so far includes former &#8220;American Idol&#8221; contestants <a href="https://www.facebook.com/centrecountygrangefair/posts/pfbid0uTvU5gh3DJDJmkCHEsL7XSJpuDoxQD2y59cZJKArJcb7TBpUdk2Bjkaov6wDqUrNl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex Miller and HunterGirl</a> Aug. 19, former &#8220;Idol&#8221; and &#8220;America&#8217;s Got Talent&#8221; contestant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/centrecountygrangefair/posts/pfbid02HCKK2g61XVHEztKC68Rkc8PWftY5gtkb6sYUuCVgvFpJ92nmSAd3P7S2ZKH93H2Yl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drake Milligan</a> (Aug. 21) and long-running band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/centrecountygrangefair/posts/pfbid02xdcWVMFoJKifUA67rkRnha2CXMttG1RZdK1y6c77frhSRQ7Jq7ZmgR3YmjxQVK2Tl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Texas</a> (Aug. 23).</p>



<p>Grandstand performances are free with admission to the fair. Performers are announced on Fridays on the fair&#8217;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/centrecountygrangefair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook page</a>. </p>



<p>The Centre County Grange Fair is scheduled for Aug. 18-26.</p>


The Oak Ridge Boys to Open 2023 Grange Fair Grandstand Lineup

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