Blair County Football, Farm Fuel Costs & Hollidaysburg's Spotlight

Local football results, the pressure of diesel costs on farms, and fresh attention for Hollidaysburg.

Charles Sisk

📰 WEEKLY PREVIEW

* Top Stories: Spotlight Brings Hollidaysburg New Attention
* Local Events: Haunted Lantern Tours at Baker Mansion
* What's Trending: Tyrone’s Halloween spirit
* Community Engagement: Paws to Read
* Pet of the Week: Meet Fritz! - Adopt me!

Trivia Question❓

Along West Africa’s Atlantic coast, which capital city was named for U.S. President James Monroe after being established as a settlement for formerly enslaved people from the United States?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

The Blair Buzz newsletter is sponsored by:

Kerr's Home & Garden Center

Illustrative fall market photograph. Photo by Anna Kapustina on Pexels

Kerr's Home & Garden Center brings seasonal plants, gardening supplies and hometown inspiration to Hollidaysburg. Explore its fall offerings and check current hours before visiting.

	Address	179 South Montgomery St. Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
	Days Open	Tue - Fri – 9:00AM - 3:00PM Sat – 9:00AM - 1:00PM Sun - Mon – Closed
	Phone	814-695-9431

Visit Kerr's

Running on empty: Farmers eye high diesel fuel costs as fall harvest underway

For Blair County farmers, higher diesel prices make harvest more expensive at the very moment crops are ready and weather leaves little room to wait.

Tractors and combines need fuel to work fields around Williamsburg and Martinsburg, while trucks move crops, livestock and supplies.

Even a small increase per gallon can add up over long workdays, squeezing budgets already stretched by fertilizer, repairs and other essentials.

Hollidaysburg is getting a welcome moment in the regional spotlight, and the attention reaches well beyond its historic courthouse.

A new October travel feature has presented the Blair County borough as an appealing fall day-trip destination for people looking to explore western and central Pennsylvania without booking an overnight stay.

For independent shopkeepers and other local businesses, that kind of attention offers something valuable: a chance to introduce a familiar hometown to a fresh audience.

The draw is not one giant attraction but the combination of walkable streets, distinctive storefronts, places to pause for coffee and the architecture that gives downtown its character.

Allegheny Street sits at the heart of that experience, with a streetscape that rewards visitors who take time to look around rather than hurry between destinations.

A Williamsburg tradition continues to show how one community can turn remembrance into practical kindness for animals in need.

Participants in the annual Laces for Alli 5K gathered on October 4 to walk, run and honor the memory of Allison Edwards.

The event remembers a Williamsburg native who died in an accident in 2015.

More than a decade later, the gathering remains a way for friends, family and neighbors to celebrate her life together.

That sense of connection is matched by a concrete charitable purpose.

Blair County football teams had a mixed night, with Hollidaysburg beating Jersey Shore 50-18 and Bellwood-Antis defeating Chestnut Ridge 35-6.

Tyrone held off Penn Cambria 17-14, and Claysburg-Kimmel beat Curwensville 28-12.

Altoona faced the toughest result locally, falling 52-0 to State College.

Welcome to The First Frontier Blair County, PA

SHOP LOCAL

Shop Local Spotlight: Discover the independent boutiques, gift shops and coffee stops that give Hollidaysburg's historic downtown its character. This week, consider a visit to a favorite neighborhood storefront and help keep Blair County's small-business community thriving.

Family-Friendly Events in Blair County | October 19–25, 2026

Haunted Lantern Tours at Baker Mansion

	Date	October 23–24, 2026
	Time	7–10 PM
	Location	Baker Mansion, Altoona
	Price	Check organizer for tickets

Family-friendly lantern tours explore Baker Mansion history and local folklore. Confirm availability with the organizer.

Click to find out more

DelGrosso's DelGhoulsos

	Date	October 24–25, 2026
	Time	11 AM–6 PM
	Location	DelGrosso's Park, Tipton

Halloween-themed rides and family activities. Check current ticket requirements before visiting.

Click to find out more

Nightmare on Allegheny Street

	Date	October 23, 2026
	Time	6–9 PM
	Location	Downtown Hollidaysburg

Participating downtown shops feature Halloween-themed displays and specials.

Click to find out more

Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department Halloween Parade

	Date	October 31, 2026
	Time	October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
	Location	Hollidaysburg

Hometown Halloween parade. Confirm step-off time and route with the organizers.

Click to find out more

📚 Blair County Public Library Events:

The Blair County Library System has 8 member libraries. Below is the link to the Blair County Library System where you can access the calendars and events for all libraries. Be sure to check all confirmed events.
Blair County Libraries

Buffalo Wild Wings is taking shape in Allegheny Township (near Altoona/Duncansville), with construction underway behind the Holiday Inn Express next to the AMC Theatre complex off Convention Center Boulevard. Officials and local reports from August 2026 indicated hopes for an October opening, filling a long-awaited spot for sports fans looking for wings, beer, and game-day atmosphere right here in Blair County. This will be the chain’s first location in the immediate Altoona area (they already have one in State College), bringing more dining and viewing options for neighbors who want a convenient place to gather for football, local sports, or just a casual night out. As a national brand expanding into our community, specific owner quotes about choosing Blair County weren’t available in recent coverage, but the project builds on an existing 2013 land-development plan for the Convention Center Commons site. Keep an eye on local news and the Buffalo Wild Wings website or social channels for the exact opening date, hours, and contact details once they’re finalized—stopping by when the doors open will be a great way to support the new jobs and added energy this brings to the area.

Blair Buzz: Five Bright Spots for Fall Family Fun

Blair County’s autumn calendar offers cheerful reasons to explore. These five upcoming highlights give families and visitors opportunities to discover local culture, celebrate together and enjoy seasonal entertainment.

Hollidaysburg’s book bargain bonanza. The Friends of the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library host their Fall Used Book Sale October 21–23. Browse together for your next favorite read; bargain hunters can fill a bag for $5 Thursday evening, starting at 5 p.m., and throughout Friday.[altoonamirror]
Altoona’s history comes alive. Visit the Railroaders Memorial Museum October 21 at 7 p.m. for “Colonial-Era Legends and Folklore,” presented by Michael Allison. This free Blair County Historical Society lecture offers an evening exploring stories from America’s past. Donations are welcome.[altoonamirror]
Hollidaysburg’s community creativity. Geeseytown Fire Company’s Craft Fair, Basket Raffle and Bake Sale runs October 24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at the fire hall. Explore handmade finds and baked treats while enjoying a community outing.[altoonamirror]
Tyrone’s Halloween spirit. The borough’s Halloween parade begins October 24 at 6 p.m. Another family outing follows October 31: Reservoir Park’s trunk-or-treat, scheduled for 4–7 p.m.[altoonamirror]
Tipton’s playful park weekend. DelGrosso’s Del-Ghoul-So’s continues October 24–25, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., with select rides, entertainment, seasonal food and Halloween-themed pedal-kart fun.[wtaj]

⭐ Local Shoutouts

Celebrating First Graduates Abroad

The Altoona-founded nonprofit Selfless Solutions recently marked a major milestone by celebrating its very first student group to graduate from primary school! Founded by Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School alumnus Patrick Irwin, the organization relies on generous community donations to sponsor education overseas. It's wonderful to see a local Blair County heart making such a profound global impact!
- Key Details: Learn more about how to support future graduating classes or get involved by visiting the Selfless Solutions website.
- Source Link: Altoona Mirror

🏆 Local Heroes

Young Innovators Exploring AI in Education

Bellwood-Antis High School juniors Sophia Fatzinger and Cora stepped up to present an insightful student survey on how artificial intelligence is shaping modern education. By taking the initiative to research and present these trends directly to the school board, these students are helping educators and families navigate the changing tech landscape. Hats off to these bright young minds for leading the conversation!
- Key Details: Presentations took place during the regular Bellwood-Antis School Board meeting; community members can review school board agendas via the Bellwood-Antis School District site.
- Source Link: Altoona Mirror

🤝 Local Causes

Promoting Safety and Health with Operation Our Town

The Northern Blair Roundtable of Operation Our Town is actively working to foster safe, drug-free neighborhoods across our region. They host community educational workshops—such as their upcoming drug abuse workshop at the Tyrone Elks Lodge—to equip residents, landlords, and families with the tools needed to keep our local communities thriving.
- Key Details: Workshops take place periodically through the fall season at venues like the Tyrone Elks Lodge. You can download the Our Town Reporter newsletter or check upcoming dates at Operation Our Town.
- Source Link: Operation Our Town

📚 Fundraisers

Stock Your Shelves at the Hollidaysburg Library Book Sale

Book lovers, rejoice! The Friends of the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library are hosting their multi-day Fall Used Book Sale to directly support library programs, materials, and community events. Grab some fantastic reads while contributing to a cornerstone of our local educational community. (Note: Always remember to check out events at the Altoona Area Public Library as well for their upcoming late-October book sales!)
- Key Details: The member preview night is Tuesday, Oct. 20 (6–7:30 p.m.). General public sales run Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 22 (9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.), and Friday, Oct. 23 (9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.) with a $5-a-bag deal starting Thursday evening at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library.
- Source Link: Altoona Mirror

🤲 Volunteer Opportunities

Paws to Read and Library Support Volunteers

If you love animals and literacy, the Hollidaysburg and Altoona area libraries offer wonderful ways to lend a hand! Programs like "Paws to Read" frequently partner with local organizations like the Central PA Humane Society to help kids build reading confidence alongside furry friends. Additionally, both the Altoona Area Public Library and Hollidaysburg Area Public Library are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help out with seasonal book sales, craft workshops, and front-desk support.
- Key Details: Reach out directly to the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library or the Altoona Area Public Library main desks to find out current volunteer application openings and orientation schedules.
- Source Link: Altoona Mirror - Hollidaysburg Library Programs and Altoona Area Public Library Events

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

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Monrovia

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Warmly,

Charles Sisk

Editor