Memorial Day Weekend in Boalsburg, PA 

The village of Boalsburg in Centre County is recognized as the birthplace of Memorial Day in the United States. In October 1864, three Boalsburg women decorated the graves of two local men who had died serving the Union army in the Civil War. Walk where these women walked and honor the fallen this Memorial Day. Enjoy the carnival, parades, historic reenactments, & more! Check out the Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum!

Friday, May 22

• Arrive to Happy Valley and check in to Hotel/Bed & Breakfast/etc.
• Burning Ma’am Music Festival
  • Camping-style music festival located on a rural farm in Woodward, PA.
• Memorial Day Festival in Boalsburg
  • Festivities in Boalsburg begins. Boalsburg is recognized as the birth place of Memorial Day!
  • The Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum - Drop-In Tours 2 pm ($15/person)
  • Pennsylvania Military Museum – John Homan, B-24 Pilot, 34 Combat Missions 6:30 pm
  • Boalsburg Fireman’s Carnival 6 pm-10 pm
    • Rides, games, and food @ Pine Street in Boalsburg, PA
• Grab dinner at:
  • The Blonde Bistro - New wave American. $$
  • Alloy Kitchen at Titan Hollow - Shareable plates, entrees, & cider. $$
  • Duffy’s Tavern - American pub fare in a rustic, 19th-century setting; a historic landmark. $$
• Stop for drinks at:
  • Axemann Brewery - Brewery and taproom with local ciders, wines, and spirits. $$
  • The Republic in The Gamble Mill - High-quality cocktail bar in a historic building. $$
  • Boal City Brewing - Tap list that celebrates diversity, quality and innovation. Food trucks most nights. $

Saturday, May 23

• Grab breakfast or lunch at:
  • The Corner Room - Delicious classic breakfast & cocktails. Celebrating 100 years in operation! $$
  • Kinfork Cafe - Country Market - fresh baked goods, hand-churned ice cream and coffee drinks.
• Get outdoors and have fun:
  • Burning Ma’am Music Festival - Camping-style music festival located on a rural farm in Woodward, PA.
  • Delgrosso’s Amusement Park - Water park opening Memorial Day Weekend!
• Memorial Day Festival in Boalsburg
  • Preregistration & T-shirt Pick Up for Memorial Day Run @ Blue Spring Park 10 am-12 pm
  • 5K Walk to Remember our Fallen @ Pennsylvania Military Museum 9-10:30 am
  • Pennsylvania Military Museum Battle Cry of Freedom: A Civil War Experience 10 am-4 pm
    • Outdoor Living History Displays 10 am-4 pm
    • Museum Info & Merch Booth 10 am-4 pm
    • The Camp Kitchen: Civil War Recipes 11 am
    • History Mystery Guest: Kid’s Program 12 pm
    • Authentic Games: Civil War Pastimes 1 pm
    • A Call to Arms: Historic Weapons Demonstration 2 pm
    • The Surgeon’s Tent: Civil War Medicine 3 pm
  • Duffy's Tavern - The Sutler’s Supper, Civil War Tavern Experience 5 pm
  • Boalsburg Cemetery - The Civil War Remembered – Guided Lantern Tour 7 pm
  • Boal City Brewery - The Union Remembered, A Toast to Service 8 pm
  • The Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum - “The Keeping of Liberty" 12pm & 3 pm ($5/person)
  • Boalsburg Fireman's Parade - Blue Spring Park to Boalsburg Fire Station 5 pm
  • Boalsburg Fireman's Carnival - After the parade until 10 pm
    • Rides, games, and food @ Pine Street in Boalsburg, PA
• Get the best cheesesteak for dinner:
  • Antifragile Brewery - Cute & cozy local brewery with cocktails, beer, and cheesesteaks. $
  • Local Whiskey - Irish pub featuring classic grub, along with select whiskeys & beers on tap. $
  • Penn Steaks - Cheesesteaks and other munchies served in a casual space that's open late. $
• America250PA Concert w/ Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett
  • at The Bryce Jordan Center @ 7 pm

Sunday, May 24

• Grab brunch at:
  • The Naked Egg - Featuring classic breakfast items & specialty espresso drinks. $$
  • American Ale House - Laid-back vibe, excellent wine selection and cocktails. $$
  • Barrel 21 Distillery - Upscale, yet comfortable atmosphere; crafted spirits. $
• Memorial Day Festival in Boalsburg
  • Preregistration Memorial Day Run @ Blue Spring Park 12-2 pm
  • The Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum - Drop-In Tours 2 pm ($15/person)
    
  • Pennsylvania Military Museum Battle Cry of Freedom: A Civil War Experience 10 am-4 pm
    • Outdoor Living History Displays 10 am-4 pm
      
    • Museum Info & Merch Booth 10 am-4 pm
    • Capturing History: Civil War Photography Demonstrations 10 am-4 pm
    • The Camp Kitchen: Civil War Recipes 11 am
    • History Mystery Guest: Kid’s Program 12 pm
    • Authentic Games: Civil War Pastimes 1 pm
    • A Call to Arms: Historic Weapons Demonstration 2 pm
    • The Surgeon’s Tent: Civil War Medicine 3 pm
  • Boalsburg Heritage Museum Tours 2-4 pm
  • The Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum Ballroom - Civil War Ball 4-7 pm
    
  • Boalsburg Fireman's Carnival 2-6 pm
    • Wrist Band Event $25 Unlimited Ride 2-6 pm
    • Rides, games, and food @ Pine Street in Boalsburg, PA
• Go for a walk:
  • The Arboretum @ Penn State - A peaceful oasis near downtown State College.
  • Downtown State College Art Walk - Self-guided tour featuring over 40 pieces of public art; murals, sculptures, and mosaics.
• Grab dinner:
  • The Field Burger & Tap - Farm-to-table experience with hand-formed burgers, local craft beer, and hand-spun milkshakes. $$
  • Happy Valley Brewing Co. - Relaxed microbrewery & eatery in a converted barn; craft beers & comfort food. $$
  • Celebrities - American-style dining with daily specials. $

Monday, May 25

• Check out of Hotel/Bed & Breakfast/etc.
• Get Breakfast:
  • Original Waffle Shop - State College breakfast tradition since 1972 with a robust breakfast menu. $
  • Breakfast on Boal - Hearty comfort breakfast. $$
• Memorial Day Festival in Boalsburg
  • Registration for Memorial Day Run @ Blue Spring Park 7:15-8:15 am
  • Memorial Day Run 8:30 am
  • Over 140 Vendors on Church & Main Streets 9 am-4 pm
  • 250th America Birthday Cake on display on the Diamond 9:30-10:30 am
  • Cutting and serving of the 250th Birthday Cake 10:45 am
  • Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum - Live music, fantastic local fare, unique artisans and vendors, special museum tours, and historic reenactors! 10:30 am-4:30 pm
  • Boalsburg Fireman's Carnival 10 am-4 pm
    • Rides, games, and food @ Pine Street in Boalsburg, PA
    • America250PA Mobile Experiential Unit - Swag wheel, giveaways, interactive games, and more
  • Boalsburg Cemetery Ceremony 6 pm