Family-Friendly Events in Blair County
October 26–November 1, 2026

Bonus Mentions:

1. Hollidaysburg Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 31, 6 p.m. step-off; borough calendar window 6–9 p.m. Downtown Hollidaysburg, along the published route through North Montgomery, Bel Aire, North Juniata, Allegheny and Union streets. Watch costumes, community groups and fire apparatus; suitable for all ages with supervision. Cost: Public spectator event; no viewing admission charge is listed. Borough calendar · Route and step-off details.

2. Macbeth at Penn State Altoona
Thursday–Friday, October 29–30, 7:30 p.m. Wolf Kuhn Theatre, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona. Enjoy a student production of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Ages: Organizer recommends 12+; contains violence, strobing light effects and fake blood. Cost: Free and open to the public. Official program and advisories.

3. The Magician’s Daughter — Lisa Co Art Exhibition
Monday–Thursday, October 26–29, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sheetz Gallery, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona. Explore printmaking, bookmaking and collage in this exhibition, scheduled October 1–November 6, 2026. Suitable for family art browsing; children should visit with an adult. Cost: Free. Official exhibition dates and gallery hours.

4. Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale
Friday, October 30, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Ground floor, Altoona Area Public Library, 1600 Fifth Avenue, Altoona. Browse children’s books, fiction, nonfiction, puzzles and other secondhand finds while supporting the library. Suitable for all ages. Cost: Purchases are individually priced; cash or check only. The $5 bag day is November 2, outside this week’s date range. Official sale schedule and payment information.

5. Free Trick-or-Treating at PNG Field
Saturday, October 31, 5:30–7 p.m. Peoples Natural Gas Field, 1000 Park Avenue, Altoona. Children can wear costumes and collect treats around the stadium before the later haunted attraction begins. Ages: Children through sixth grade, accompanied by their families. Cost: Free early trick-or-treat session; the separate haunted stadium from 7:30–10 p.m. costs $5 for ages 2+. Dated event listing and pricing.

All dates are in 2026; times are local Eastern time. Check the linked organizers for weather changes, availability and final arrangements.

Know a new business we should welcome? Help us discover the newest places to shop, eat and find services across Blair County! If you’ve spotted a small business that opened in the past month—or one planning to open in the next month—we’d love to hear about it.

Business owners, neighbors and proud supporters: send the business name, location, opening date, website or social media link, and any contact details to theblairbuzz@gmail.com. A photo and a little background about the people behind the business are welcome, too. Help The Blair Buzz give our newest local businesses a warm hometown introduction!

Blair County’s next few weeks offer five bright spots for families and visitors, from hometown traditions to creative outings and seasonal shopping.

1. Hollidaysburg celebrates together. The Halloween Parade steps off October 31 at 6 p.m., bringing costumes, community groups and fire apparatus through the borough.

2. Altoona gets crafty. Halloweek Take-and-Makes continues October 27–31 at Altoona Area Public Library. Children ages 5–12 can collect themed crafts starting at 2:30 p.m., while supplies last.

3. Tyrone adds something sweet. The Chocolate Harvest Festival arrives November 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., pairing treats and handcrafted goods with a downtown outing.

4. Local arts invite exploration. Lisa Co’s The Magician’s Daughter remains at Penn State Altoona through November 6. Visit the free Sheetz Gallery exhibition October 27–29, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., for printmaking, bookmaking and collage.

5. Holiday shopping gets festive. Lakemont Park’s Holiday Market is scheduled November 14, 4:30–8:30 p.m., with craft vendors, food trucks, live music and family activities.

These upcoming opportunities give neighbors and tourists reasons to explore, support local creativity and spend time together. Check organizer updates before traveling, especially for weather changes and activity availability. Bring a friend, choose a new destination and make your outing a hometown adventure.

⭐ Local Shoutouts

A Lasting Gift for Altoona’s Future Teachers
Larry Skvir and Connie Whiteleather Skvir are turning their Penn State Altoona connection into lasting support for aspiring teachers. The alumni couple, now living in New Jersey, committed $50,000 to endow a scholarship for students in the campus’s Elementary and Early Childhood Education program—a thoughtful investment in the next generation of classrooms.

Key Details: Announced October 22, 2026. Larry’s local roots include Williamsburg High School and studies at the Altoona campus; the scholarship supports Penn State Altoona students.
Source Link: Penn State Altoona’s scholarship announcement

🏆 Local Heroes

A Countywide Thank-You to the Crews Who Answered the Call
More than 100 responders came together when fire struck Cove Mountain Wood Products in Taylor Township on October 21. Friendship Fire Company and neighboring departments worked together, including shuttling water from Martinsburg—a reminder of how much our communities depend on dedicated emergency crews.

Key Details: The response took place along Cove Mountain Road near Roaring Spring. WTAJ’s October 22 report recognizes fire departments, emergency medical personnel, police and other supporting agencies; read the full report to see the teams involved.
Source Link: WTAJ reporting, republished by AOL

🤝 Local Causes

Help Keep a Neighbor’s Pantry Stocked
American Rescue Workers in Hollidaysburg offers an ongoing way to help neighbors put food on the table. Its pantry serves Hollidaysburg, Duncansville, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, East Freedom, Newry and Williamsburg, with food supplied in part by community donations.

Key Details: 502 Mulberry Street, Hollidaysburg. Call 814-695-0762 before donating to ask about current needs and arrangements, or check the organization’s ARW Blair County Facebook page for updates. Food assistance is by appointment; listed pantry hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m.
Source Link: American Rescue Workers’ food pantry information

💛 Fundraisers

Keep Blair County’s Walk of Hope Going
The Blair County Out of the Darkness Walk has finished, but its fundraising campaign is still open. Neighbors can continue supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s research, education, advocacy and prevention programs through the local walk’s donation page.

Key Details: The walk took place September 13 at Lakemont Park in Altoona; donations remain accepted through December 31, 2026. Use “Donate To This Event” on the official page. Local contact: Nikki McHugh, 814-329-9168 or nmchugh@blaircountypa.gov.
Source Link: Official Blair County Walk fundraising page

🤲 Volunteer Opportunities

Give the Gift of a Listening Ear
CONTACT Altoona offers ongoing volunteer opportunities for neighbors who want to make a difference through compassionate listening and referrals. No prior experience is necessary, and training is provided—a meaningful way to build skills while helping others in Blair County.

Key Details: Listening-and-referral volunteers must be at least 18 and have a high-school education or equivalent. The role requires training and an apprenticeship, eight volunteer hours monthly, a minimum one-year commitment and four continuing-education sessions each year. Review all qualifications and complete the volunteer application on the official website; ask about the next training schedule.
Source Link: CONTACT Altoona volunteer information and application

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