One major event in the area during the month of May is the annual Blair County Arts Festival. For over 50 years visitors have been enjoying museum-quality art exhibits, a wide variety of live music and dance, children’s art projects and activities, handmade crafts and delicious food at the festival.
There is a full schedule of events during the two-day event. You can watch a variety of performances that take place both outside and indoors. This year’s festival is on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. The festival takes place on the beautiful park-like campus of Penn State Altoona. New for 2018, Explore Altoona invites you to stop by the Tourism Expo at the festival to get information on other adventures to explore during your stay in Blair County!
This is the only place in the world where you can watch a train wrap around you as it travels through the Allegheny Mountains! The Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark is an engineering marvel that was built using only hand tools. The track was built in the shape of a horseshoe to keep the tracks gliding along the natural formation of the mountains. It is documented that it was on the top 10 hit list during WWII. The Horseshoe Curve is open for the season. Hours during the weekend of the Blair County Arts Festival are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you enjoy taking a train ride, The Everett Railroad Company offers scenic train excursions on a steam locomotive! The excursions begin at a newly constructed old-fashioned train station. The train travels through Pennsylvania’s countryside along the banks of the Juniata River. On Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 the schedule includes a Family Train Ride and an Ice Cream Special. The Everett Railroad operates a variety of excursions, most of which are an hour and a half long.
DelGrosso’s Park recently expanded and now has an extensive Italian Themed Water Park! Cool off during a hot summer day floating past a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Lazy River or if you enjoy a water adventure spend some time in the Wave Pool. The entire water park includes various interactive water features. With an Italian theme, of course there are Italian foods on the menu. You can create your own pasta dish using the park’s own pasta sauces at Pasta Fresca located inside the water park. The ride park is open weekends in May and the water park opens Memorial Day Weekend. The park is open daily starting Saturday, June 2nd.
In the beautiful countryside of Altoona, you’ll find Fort Roberdeau, a Revolutionary War lead mine fort that is the westernmost Revolutionary War site in America. It is Pennsylvania’s only maintained Frontier Revolutionary War Fort that is open for tours. Fort Roberdeau opens for the season on May 1. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The site hosts numerous events throughout the summer season.
For more information about these Big Adventures, seasonal events and more in Blair County, Pennsylvania visit explorealtoona.com or call 1-800-842-5866.
