Christmas in State College

Christmas in State College in our apartment was a subdued affair. We were going to be away visiting family for most of the holidays, and so selected lighted garland for around our window wall and garland wreaths in the other rooms. The smell of pine and cedar without the floor space crunch of a tree. Nice.

Christmas at a Jimmy V's place (a co-worker of Ann's) was decidedly un-subdued. A lighted motorized airplane flown by Snoopy, penguins on a glacier, endless lights, music. Probably the most impressive display of lights I've ever seen at a private residence. Thanks, Jimmy.

Downtown State College got into the act with lights on the trees of the main cross street, Allen, with a huge Christmas tree at the end. The view was especially nice from the Allen Street Grill. On the second floor projecting over the sidewalk it serves interesting, though not spectacular, entrées with an excellent view of the action downtown. We were treated to a live street concert while we ate above Allen before Christmas.

However, New Years Eve day is the biggest holiday event here. First Night is a spectacular downtown celebration of winter with ice sculptures, an ice slide, carriage rides, live music, street food - the works. The students are away for break, so the adults and families take back the streets. It was great to see everyone out. The concerts are held in numerous historic downtown churches, the nearby school, and downtown theaters. Eight bucks buys you a button that gets you into as many concerts as you can schedule.

We were able to see a brass quartet, a flute-harp-clarinet classical trio (odd), a snippet of the Rockfest high school battle of the bands (Ellen Siberian-Tiger was quite good), and an excellent blue grass band (best show) all in one evening. Ann stopped by the resolution barrels where folks wrote resolutions on tongue depressors and threw them into burning barrels for the new year. A great time. I'd always try to be home for New Years if I lived here.

See Ellen Siberian-Tiger at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwG0xtYX4Ys&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL