Saturday, July 4th is Independence Day🧨

The Blair Buzz newsletter is sponsored by

Simply Drost

The Blair County Historical Society has secured a $99,250 grant to support key preservation efforts at the Baker Mansion History Museum.

Announced by State Representatives Judy Ward and Andrea Verobish on June 18, the grant is part of the Keystone Historic Preservation Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Representative Ward highlighted how maintaining landmarks like Baker Mansion is essential for protecting Blair County’s unique heritage and ensuring future generations remain connected to their roots.

Planned restoration efforts include reinforcing the mansion’s iconic columns and second-floor porch, boosting structural safety and accessibility for community members and visitors alike.

Verobish emphasized the mansion’s 175-year legacy as both a historic museum and a gathering spot, stressing the significance of this funding in preserving its role for decades to come.

AMED is moving forward with plans to build a new ambulance station in Greenfield Township, aiming to dramatically improve emergency response times for Claysburg and nearby residents.

The future station will be located along Old Route 220 at Park Road, offering a central base for emergency crews.

Currently, responders need about 18 minutes to reach the Claysburg area from the existing site—the slowest time in AMED’s coverage region.

AMED Executive Director Gary Watters calls shortening that delay a top priority as the local population and business corridor continue to expand.

Greenfield Township will donate the land, while AMED will handle construction costs.

If all goes as planned, the new ambulance station could be serving the Claysburg community within the next year.

WISE Women of Blair County has announced the seven recipients of its Spring 2026 scholarship program, supporting local women ages 21 and up who have shown resilience overcoming adversity while working toward higher education.

A total of $17,000 in scholarships was awarded across the county.

This year’s honorees include Alainy Liang, Libby Keller, April Ruehle, Erin Harlow, Abigail Dean, Ivy Powles, and Lydia Seltzer, who are studying diverse fields from beauty and nursing to language, art, psychology, and environmental science at local institutions including Penn State Altoona, Juniata College, and Bennington College.

Scholarships are administered through the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, with the next application deadline set for September 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

More information about eligibility and the application process can be found at the WISE Women of Blair County website.

The Dirty Soda Shack

Central PA’s ORIGINAL “Dirty Soda” Truck/Trailer offering a rotating menu and fresh baked goods! EST. 2021 🥤✨

Haleigh Moore  recommends The Dirty Soda Shack.
"Tried it for the first time and didn’t know what I wanted, the girls suggested a drink based off my preferences and it was delicious!!"

Paige Landis  recommends The Dirty Soda Shack.
"Amazing service and good drinks! Great food"

Facebook

900-10 Logan Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602

Blair Buzz BOGO - Closed - We're Sorry You Missed it.

But you can still claim your FREE Sponsorship Strategy Call.
Simply Click Here.

Family-Friendly Events in Blair, June 22 – June 28, 2026

Williamsburg America250 Celebration

Riverside Park, the Farm Show Grounds, Second Street, and Sage Hill Drive — Williamsburg, PA

A two-day community celebration of America's 250th birthday that's free to attend (a 5K race and the chicken barbecue have their own separate costs). Saturday includes readings of historic U.S. documents and speeches at Riverside Park, an 11:30 a.m. Civil War reenactment and "A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier" presentation at the Farm Show grounds, a classic car cruise-in, a craft/vendor fair with live music along Second Street, cash bingo, and an evening parade starting at 7 p.m. Sunday activities were still being finalized as of the most recent report. Great for all ages — history buffs, kids who like parades, and anyone wanting small-town Americana.

Source: Morrisons Cove Herald, "Williamsburg Plans Two-Day America 250 Celebration" (mcheraldonline.com, published 4/23/2026). 

Music in the Burg: The Band OZ

Canal Basin Park & Visitors Center, 101 Canal Street, Hollidaysburg, PA

A free outdoor summer concert hosted by the Hollidaysburg Area Arts Council, featuring The Band OZ performing blues, jazz, rock, and soul. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; if it rains, the show moves to Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School. All ages welcome — it's a low-key, family-friendly evening in the park.

Source: discoverblaircounty.com calendar and hollidaysburgartscouncil.com (confirms the "Music in the Burg" series is always free).

"Let Freedom Ring": A Musical Tribute to America

Wolf Kuhn Theatre, Misciagna Family Center for the Performing Arts, Penn State Altoona campus, Altoona, PA

A patriotic musical tribute celebrating America's 250th birthday, presented by P&J Productions, Penn State Altoona, and the City of Altoona, hosted by Morgan Koziar of First Frontier Blair County. Good for families with school-age kids and up, especially the Sunday matinee.

Cost: $15 per ticket (order online or call 814-944-5452).

Source: P

Run for Life 5K & 2-Mile Run/Walk

Altoona Curve Stadium (Peoples Natural Gas Field), 1000 Park Ave, Altoona — course loops out to Lakemont Park and back

A community fun run/walk benefiting Precious Life pregnancy centers in Altoona, Johnstown, and Bedford. Options include a competitive 5K, a 2-mile run, or a 2-mile walk, making it accessible for all fitness levels and ages.

Cost: $25 advance registration (through June 26) / $30 day-of; children under 5 run or walk free.

Source: RunSignUp/Precious Life Inc. event page and RaceMob.com listings for Altoona, PA races.

Additional Event Mentions

**National Food Truck Day at Lakemont Park**
Friday, June 26, 2026, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Lakemont Park, 700 Park Avenue, Altoona, PA
A food-and-drink community event marking the national observance (the last Friday in June), with food trucks set up around the park's pavilions and green spaces. Lakemont Park's general park grounds have free walk-in admission — pay-as-you-go applies only to specific attractions like mini golf or batting cages — which strongly suggests free general admission with food purchased à la carte from the trucks. Good for all ages; an easy, casual outing for families. I'd still recommend a quick check of Lakemont Park's Facebook page closer to the date to confirm which trucks are attending and that admission stays free.

**The Beat Goes On — Starring Lisa McClowry as Cher**
Friday, June 26, 2026 (evening; exact curtain time not listed on the venue page — Mishler Theatre evening shows typically run 7:30 PM)
Mishler Theatre, 1208 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA
A 90-minute theatrical concert experience covering six decades of Cher's music and career, with a live band, costume changes, and audience interaction, presented by the Blair County Arts Foundation. It's a general-audience touring tribute show — fine for older kids and teens who enjoy musical theater, though the content (a biographical concert about an adult entertainer's life and career) skews toward older children and adults rather than young kids.
Cost: I'd recommend calling the Mishler box office directly at (814) 944-9434 or checking mishlertheatre.org for accurate current pricing.
Source: mishlertheatre.org (official event description) and discoverblaircounty.com calendar.

**In The Air Tonight: The Music of Genesis & Phil Collins**
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 7:30 PM
Mishler Theatre, 1208 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA
A tribute concert blending Genesis classics and Phil Collins solo hits ("In the Air Tonight," "Sussudio," "Invisible Touch," etc.) with dual drumming and visual production. The official venue listing describes it as a show that "thrills audiences of all ages," making it a reasonable family pick for kids old enough to sit through a full-length rock concert (likely better suited to older children and teens rather than toddlers, given the evening start time and concert-volume sound).
Cost: I'd suggest calling (814) 944-9434 or checking the official ticket link before planning around a specific price point.
Source: mishlertheatre.org (official event description) and discoverblaircounty.com calendar.

The Blair Buzz newsletter is sponsored by

Penelope & Co

Preppy earrings for Y O U 🎀✨| permanent jewelry🔗⚡️| Handmade by me| follow Polly the pink bus💕🛍️

If you are looking for a new way to get together with your friends, book the bus! Our girl is perfect for events, parties, girls' nights, store pop ups + more! There is no setup fee + we come to you! Look for us around town!

Bellwood, PA 16617
PH 814-381-6804

Facebook

https://www.penelopeco.com/

Blair County has a few fresh reasons to get out and explore this month, from sweet treats to new services and more local momentum. These openings are a nice reminder that our communities keep growing thanks to people willing to take a chance, invest locally, and create something useful for their neighbors.

The Sweet Spot Creamery in Duncansville, at 1524 Third Ave. behind Coffee on 3rd, is now serving Penn State Creamery ice cream in a business that feels especially homegrown. The creamery is a partnership between the Hollidaysburg Area School District and Coffee on 3rd, and it grew out of a student mentor program that helped seven local students bring the idea to life. It’s a fun, community-minded stop for anyone craving a cone, and it gives students a real role in learning what it takes to build a business right here in Blair County.

SpeedPro Central PA recently celebrated its grand opening at 526 N. 4th Street in Bellwood, adding a new local option for large-format printing and visual branding. Owners Sara and Jake Bilthuis are bringing services like banners, signs, vehicle wraps, wall murals, trade show displays, and window graphics to area businesses and organizations. For small businesses, nonprofits, schools, and event planners, that means another nearby resource for getting the word out in a professional, eye-catching way.

Looking ahead, Tyrone is also on the list for future growth, with plans moving forward for a new McDonald’s on Logan Avenue and West 14th Street. While that location has not opened yet, it shows continued investment in the county and more activity coming to one of our western communities. For residents, that usually means more choices, more traffic in the local business corridor, and another sign that Blair County remains a place where new projects are still taking shape.

Academy Sports + Outdoors has also been highlighted in Altoona at the Shoppes at Eagle Point, adding another shopping destination for county residents. It’s the kind of opening that tends to draw visitors from across the region and can give nearby retail areas an extra boost. Even when the details are still unfolding, it’s another sign that Blair County continues to attract new businesses that broaden what locals can find close to home.

Local Shout-outs, Heroes, Causes, Fundraisers, Volunteer Opportunities

If you apply to adopt, please let the Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Blair Buzz Newsletter!

The Blair Buzz newsletter is sponsored by

Donnertown Apiary

Enjoyed this? Invite your friends and neighbors.

👉 Like and follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TheBlairBuzz
That’s where we post daily updates, community questions, and the bonuses you won’t find anywhere else.

👉 Join the Blair Buzz Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theblairbuzz
Be there to get it first. So if you want to know what’s happening around Blair County before your neighbor casually drops that little tidbit in conversation at the next get-together, that you didn't know about....join in before the grapevine gets it wrong again.

Enjoyed this? Invite your friends and neighbors. Share with a friend! 

We'd love your feedback! - theblairbuzz@gmail.com

Warmly,

Charles Sisk 

Editor