2012 Blue-White Game - Experience All of Happy Valley

Family, Friends and Fun Await

Tradition is still alive and well in State College as we approach Penn State’s much anticipated 2012 Blue - White game. Not only do you have game day to look forward to, but an entire weekend full of fun and events.

Mark your calendars for April 20-22, 2012 and plan a weekend trip to Happy Valley. Other than the main event, which is set for Saturday, April 21st at 2:00 p.m., there are several other events and activities to look forward to throughout the weekend such as a Friday night carnival, fireworks, bands, and the popular auto-graph session with the players before the game.

Not interested in the sports related aspect? Come to meet up with old friends, family, relatives, etc. for an afternoon/night out on the town. Depending on the weather, gather a group of friends and take a hike up Mount Nittany (http://www.hikemountnittany.com) where you can see breathtaking views of Happy Valley, even Beaver Stadium! And if you’re feeling extra outdoorsy, try fishing at Raystown Lake, (http://www.raystown.org) located about 30-40 minutes from State College in Huntington County. Don’t forget to pack some Blue or White gear to show your Penn State spirit wherever you are. If you don’t have any, stop downtown at The Student Bookstore (http://www.thestudentbookstore.com) and pick up a PSU T-shirt, sweatshirt or hat.

Weekends are some of the best times to come to Happy Valley, especially during Blue - White weekend. Bars, restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers are all equipped and ready for the crowds with lots of specials and deals. If you stay at The Autoport (http://www.theautoport.com) on South Atherton Street, you can celebrate your pre-game and post-game festivities at their indoor/outdoor bar open until 2:00 am on weekends. Before you leave, treat yourself to a Sunday brunch from their extensive menu. Up the street from The Autoport, you could find yourself downtown watching the game while enjoying a 2 p.m. lunch at Rotelli (http://rotellistatecollege.com). Or head five minutes outside of the downtown commotion and stop in at The Arena Bar & Grill (http://www.thearenabarandgrill.com), or Carver's Deli (http://www.carversdeliandbbq.com) which all offer more than adequate viewing amenities to catch the action.

If you are a true Penn State fan and annually attend the Blue - White game, you will probably have your overnight reservations booked at The Nittany Lion Inn (http://www.nittanylioninn.psu.edu). A landmark on campus, this classic Pennsylvanian architecture establishment is great for Alumni who want to take a walk around their old stomping grounds. Plan your stay today. If you can’t find room at a hotel nearby, surrounding areas offer great Bed and Breakfasts to choose from like The Rock Garden (http://therockgardenbandb.com) in Boalsburg or the Chatelaine B&B (http://www.chatelainebandb.com) in Pine Grove Mills.

State College provides the perfect environment for Blue - White weekend. Family, friends, students, and alumni can do anything from dinner at The Mount Nittany Inn (http://www.mtnittanyinn.com) , to a drink at Damon's Grill (http://www.damons.com)  or, just up Atherton St., Otto’s Pub and Brewery (http://www.ottospubandbrewery.com) after the game, to a reminiscing walk on campus. Keep the tradition alive and visit Happy Valley for a weekend of sports, entertainment, great food, and good people.

Don't forget!
Mark your calendars for the weekend events:
Friday, April 20th- Music on the stage, Carnival & Food and Fireworks (times TBA)
Saturday, April 21st- Autograph session with the players, Blue-White Game Kick-off (2 p.m.)
Sunday, April 23rd- More carnival festivities and look for other PSU sports postings & times

Things to Do:
Mount Nittany (http://www.hikemountnittany.com)
Raystown Lake, (http://www.raystown.org)
The Student Bookstore (http://www.thestudentbookstore.com)

Places to Eat:
The Autoport (http://www.theautoport.com)
Rotelli (http://rotellistatecollege.com)
The Arena Bar & Grill (http://www.thearenabarandgrill.com)
Carver's Deli (http://www.carversdeliandbbq.com)
The Mount Nittany Inn (http://www.mtnittanyinn.com)
Damon's Grill (http://www.damons.com)

Bars:
The Autoport (http://www.theautoport.com)
Rotelli (http://rotellistatecollege.com)
The Arena Bar & Grill (http://www.thearenabarandgrill.com)
Damon's Grill (http://www.damons.com)
Otto’s Pub and Brewery (http://www.ottospubandbrewery.com)

Places to Stay:
The Nittany Lion Inn (http://www.nittanylioninn.psu.edu)
The Rock Garden (http://therockgardenbandb.com)
Chatelaine B&B (http://www.chatelainebandb.com)

Photo Credit: Geoff Rushton