Happy Valley (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Happy Valley
State College, PA MSA
Centre Region Council of Governments |
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Metropolitan statistical area
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 .JPG)   Clockwise from top left: Downtown State College at Allen Street, Nittany Lion Shrine, Beaver Stadium, and The HUB at Pennsylvania State University
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Map of Pennsylvania with Centre County in red
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| Principal cities | State College, College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson |
| Elevation | 351 m (1,154 ft) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Metro | MSA:158,742 (US: 257th) CSA: 236,577 (US: 124th) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EST) |
Happy Valley, Pennsylvania is a special area in Centre County. It includes the town of State College and several nearby townships. These townships are College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson. Together, they form a group called the Centre Region Council of Governments.
Happy Valley is surrounded by other valleys. To the northeast is Nittany Valley. To the east is Penns Valley. To the north and west is Bald Eagle Valley. This whole area is part of the State College, Pennsylvania, metropolitan statistical area. It is also part of a larger area called the State College–DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area.
Contents
History of Happy Valley
Why is it called Happy Valley?
The name Happy Valley became popular in the 1930s during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people across the country faced tough financial times. However, Happy Valley was not hit as hard by the depression. This was mainly because of Pennsylvania State University, which provided jobs and stability.
The term "Happy Valley" usually refers to all of Centre County, Pennsylvania. This includes places like State College Borough and the townships of College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson. Other towns like Bellefonte, Philipsburg, Milesburg, and Centre Hall are also considered part of Happy Valley.
Culture and Fun in Happy Valley
Penn State's Influence on Local Culture
The culture in Happy Valley is greatly shaped by Penn State University. Many activities in the area revolve around the university's student life. This includes when students arrive, exciting football Saturdays, Homecoming celebrations, and graduation events.
While the region is also home to the State College Spikes, a minor league baseball team, Happy Valley is most famous for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team. Their games are a huge part of the local culture.
Summer Fun: Arts Fest
During the summer, many students go home, making the area a bit quieter. But then, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, known as "Arts Fest," brings the town to life! This five-day event attracts many visitors.
Streets are closed off and filled with booths. Here, you can buy amazing paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other handmade items. There are also many musical shows and plays to enjoy. Food vendors sell everything from funnel cakes to delicious Indian food.
THON: Dancing for a Cause
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON, is a huge event. It's a 46-hour dance marathon held every February. It takes place on the University Park campus.
The main goal of THON is to raise money for the Four Diamonds Foundation. This foundation helps children fighting cancer. Many events happen throughout the year to prepare for THON weekend in February. During the 46-hour event, the Borough of State College even changes its name to "City of THON" to show support!
Blue-White Football Weekend
In April, Happy Valley hosts the Blue-White Football Weekend. This fun event includes a carnival, fireworks, and food vendors. There's also a student entertainment stage, live music, and a parade.
On game day, you can even get autographs from the football players. This happens at Beaver Stadium before the Blue-White football scrimmage game. It's a great chance to see the team in action!
Who Lives in Happy Valley?
Population Overview
Happy Valley is home to a diverse group of people. In 2010, about 16.9% of the population was under 18 years old. A large part of the population, 34.3%, was between 20 and 34 years old. This shows the impact of the university students.
People aged 35-49 made up 16.3% of the population. Those aged 50-64 were 16.4%. About 12.3% of the residents were 65 years or older.
Diversity in Happy Valley
The population of Happy Valley is mostly White, making up about 89.4% in 2010. Other groups also contribute to the community's diversity. About 5.2% of the population was Asian. Black or African American individuals made up 3.0%.
A small percentage, 0.1%, were American Indian or Alaskan Native. Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders made up 0.0% of the population. Additionally, people of Hispanic or Latino origin accounted for 2.4% of the population.
