The Best Halloween Events at Penn State

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October is one of the best months to find something fun to do at Penn State. There’s plenty of fun Halloween events to choose from. In fact, there’s so many it might it be hard to pick. Check out these events from the Daily Collegian and get the whole list here.


The Arboretum at Penn State Pumpkin Festival

The Arboretum at Penn State, located next to the Lewis Katz Law Building on Park Avenue, will host its 5th annual Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 16 and 17, with main activities occurring from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening, and family events occurring on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Festival attractions include a pumpkin-carving contest and lighted jack-o-lantern display, as well as live music, food vendors and scenic autumn foliage. Pumpkins for the carving contest can be picked up free of charge at the Arboretum on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. until all pumpkins are given away.

Arboretum Events and Marketing Coordinator Kate Reeder said food vendors will be serving seasonal items such as kettle corn, and State College-based band Biscuit Jam will play at the festival Saturday evening.

“In addition to the incredible jack-o-lantern display, delicious food and excellent live music, the festival is an opportunity for visitor to explore the wonderful fall foliage at the Arboretum,” Reeder said.

Reeder said this year there is a category in the pumpkin-carving contest exclusively for Penn State students to compete against one another, due to the high number of student submissions received in previous years.

20th Annual “Dark in the Park: Stories Around the Campfire”

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, area storytellers will perform seasonal stories and campfire-type fairy tales at Sunset Park, 850 McKee St. Attendees are encouraged to “bundle up with friends” and bring “blankets, snacks, and of course hot cocoa,” according to the Centre Region Parks and Recreation website.

Downtown State College Fall Festival and Community Resources Fair
The 16th annual Fall Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the 200 block of South Allen Street.

Downtown State College Improvement District Executive Director George Arnold said the festival will include a number of family-oriented activities such as a pumpkin patch, bounce house, pony rides, alpacas and more. Arnold said other festivities include the Happy Valley Dessert Contest and live music by Bluegrass Redemption, a State College-based band that plays traditional bluegrass and folk music.

“We’ve got activities that will appeal to community members and students alike,” Arnold said.

Arnold said students are encouraged to enter the dessert contest, and the winner will receive a $50 Downtown State College gift card. Festival attendees can sample the desserts for $1 per serving.

3 Ways to Put Energy Back into Your Apartment

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When we move into a new place, we relish in the fun of decorating and organizing our new home. After time goes on, our spot loses some of its energy and originality. Thankfully, injecting some of that spunk back into your space doesn’t need to be difficult. Follow these 3 easy ways from Apartment Therapy to get energy back into your apartment! Then, check out Apartment Therapy for the complete list of tips.

1. Use scents. Even if you're used to adding aromas to your home, you may not think about the kinds of effects that your preferred scents have on you. Seek out some energizing scents. Citrus scents are particularly energizing (we say "zesty" for a reason), as are rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus. If you're feeling sluggish, think about stepping away from the vanilla, lavender, and jasmine for a few hours. These are extremely calming scents that might put you at ease, but they won't add a whole lot of pep to your step.

2. Use color. Unexpected bursts of color are great for stimulating the eyes, and, therefore, the mind. Vibrant colors have the power of being unexpected and rare, and for that reason, they draw our attention and make us more alert. Throw a hot pink tablecloth over the table, toss an orange pillow on the sofa, or just take a gander at a vibrant green plant for a while. Enjoy the rich colors and momentarily embrace the non-neutral.

3. Rethink your piles and accessories. If your goods are too copious, they can clog the flow of a space and make it feel heavy. Lightening up the view will significantly revitalize your home. Think about rotating art out seasonally, or keeping a shelf in a cabinet with extra accessories that you can "shop" when you feel the need to change things up. Just because you love it, and just because you own it, doesn't mean that it has to be on display at all times.

Even if you're good about keeping your piles and accessories to a healthy number, think about moving them around periodically. This will help you see them with fresh eyes, and it will give your space a new feel, even if all the stuff is the same.