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πŸ”₯ Rally Your Crew! Neighbors Dividedβ€”Who’s In Your Circle? Read & Share the Drama!
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πŸ”₯ Rally Your Crew! Neighbors Dividedβ€”Who’s In Your Circle? Read & Share the Drama!
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Charles Sisk

Charles Sisk

Aug 31, 2026

Trivia Question❓

Which city, known for its gondola-filled canals, is built on more than 100 small islands connected by over 400 bridges?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

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The Blair Buzz family is on a road trip this week. We will return next week with all the best in top stories and everything you have come to enjoy. Thank You Blair Buzz readers and local business supporters.

Events in Blair, Aug. 31 – Sept. 6, 2026

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Monday, August 31

Tuesday, September 1

  • Tuesday Night Pokémon League — 6:00 p.m., Gatehouse Games, Altoona
  • Tuesday Star Wars X-Wing — 6:00 p.m., Gatehouse Games, Altoona
  • Trivia Night — 7:00 p.m., Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona
    September 1 event listings

Wednesday, September 2

  • Trivia Night — 7:00 p.m., Buccinese Society, Altoona
    Event listing

Thursday, September 3

Friday, September 4

  • AAHS Alumni Band Day 2026 — Begins at 2:00 p.m., Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona
    Held in connection with the Altoona Mt. Lions–Central Dauphin football game.
  • 40K Friday — 6:00 p.m., Gatehouse Games, Altoona
  • Friday Night Magic Booster Draft — 6:00 p.m., Gatehouse Games, Altoona
  • Disney Lorcana Weekly Play — 6:30 p.m., Gootzy Gaming, Altoona
  • 3 Years Hollow with Trackside — 7:00 p.m., McGarvey’s Bar & Grill, Altoona
    Concert information
  • Along the Broadway: Railroading During the Civil War — 7:00 p.m., Railroaders Memorial Museum, Altoona
  • Joseph Caroff Live — 7:00 p.m., Levity Brewing Company–Altoona Taproom
  • Friday Night Magic: Commander — 7:00 p.m., Snake Eyes Gaming, Altoona
    September 4 event listings

Saturday, September 5

  • Altoona Labor Day Parade — 10:00–11:00 a.m., Downtown Altoona
    Official event page
  • Civil War Reenactment — 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Railroaders Memorial Museum, Altoona
    Discover Blair County event information
  • One Piece Card Game Weekly Tournament — 2:00 p.m., Gootzy Gaming, Altoona
  • Saturday Magic: The Gathering Commander — 4:00 p.m., Gatehouse Games, Altoona
    September 5 event listings
  • 19th Annual Blair County Antique Auto Club Downtown Altoona Cruise-In — 2:30–8:00 p.m., Downtown Altoona
    Includes food vendors, basket raffles, door prizes, awards, and contests. Spectator admission is free.
    Official event page

Sunday, September 6

  • Blair County Ox Roast Festival — Sunday festival activities, Blair County Game, Fish and Forestry Association
    Features food, vendors, children’s games, bingo, shooting events, a flea market and live music by Strings beginning at 11:00 a.m.
    Official Ox Roast Festival page
  • HeroClix Weekly Event — 1:30 p.m., Snake Eyes Gaming, Altoona
    Event listing

 

πŸ“š Blair County Public Library Events: Aug 31 – Sept 6, 2026

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

New-business watch: We’re keeping an eye out for the newest places to shop, eat, create, and get things done around Blair County—from Altoona and Hollidaysburg to Tyrone, Bellwood, Duncansville, Martinsburg, and beyond. If you’ve opened a business recently or are planning a grand opening in the next month, send us your address, opening date, hours, a photo, and a few words about the need you hope to fill. We’d love to introduce our neighbors to you.

Five Positive Blair County Trends to Watch This September

Blair County is heading into September with five upbeat reasons for families and visitors to explore locally. First, the Altoona Farmers Market returns Thursday, September 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bringing fresh food and community energy downtown.

Second, Saturday, September 5, offers a full day in Altoona: the Labor Day Parade and Downtown Altoona Cruise-In begin at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Classic cars, local pride and walkable downtown fun make this an easy family outing.

Third, history comes alive that same Saturday at the Railroaders Memorial Museum. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a Civil War reenactment will fill the historic railyard with demonstrations and interactive displays, included with regular museum admission.

Fourth, Tyrone welcomes residents and travelers to its Labor Day Picnic at Reservoir Park on Monday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—a relaxed way to enjoy the holiday outdoors.

Fifth, Hollidaysburg celebrates creativity at Garvey Manor’s Fall Festival of the Arts on Saturday, September 19. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can browse local arts and crafts, hear live music, enjoy homemade food and find activities for children.

Together, these happenings showcase Blair County’s welcoming, lively spirit.

Welcome back, neighbors! Here is your weekly round-up of the positive news, inspiring people, and local initiatives happening across Blair County this week.

πŸ‘ Local Shoutouts

Big Boost for Blair County Prevention Programs
Operation Our Town announced over $80,000 in funding awarded to 21 local community initiatives right here in Blair County! The standout recipient of this cycle was The R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Community Kids) at Second Avenue in Altoona, receiving $10,350 to help mentor and guide local youth.

  • Key Details: Operation Our Town presented the 2026 Prevention Grants to local programs focusing on proactive community support.

🦸 Local Heroes

Honoring Our Veterans: The Wall That Heals Initiative
Local veteran advocate Ken Tedora of the Central Pennsylvania National Guard & Veterans Association stepped up after noticing the physical wear on the Wall That Heals memorial at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. Thanks to his dedication, a dedicated effort is now underway to restore and protect this sacred monument for our community’s heroes.

  • Key Details: James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Altoona, PA.

🌱 Local Causes

Strengthening Volunteer Fire Departments Through Education
Following a recent fire in Ashville, local leader Bob Eyer and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies launched the new Evelyn and Eugene Eyer Ashville Scholarship Fund. The initiative directly supports local volunteer fire companies by offering $1,000 higher-education scholarships to active members and their immediate families, with first-year awards granted to local students Maddison Lee and Zachery Novak.

  • Key Details: Open to active fire company members or their relatives; applications processed through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
  • How to Participate: Students can apply online at CFA’s Scholarship Page or contact donor services at 814-399-4583.

🎟️ Fundraisers

Community Book & Resource Support: Local Library Programs
Both the Altoona Area Public Library and the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library are running end-of-summer resource drives and community programs to keep learning accessible for all Blair County families. Supporting your local library through book donations, friend-of-the-library memberships, or attending paid workshops directly fuels free literacy and youth programs throughout the valley.

  • Key Details:

    • Altoona Area Public Library: 1600 5th Ave, Altoona, PA
    • Hollidaysburg Area Public Library: 1 Place Levrec, Hollidaysburg, PA
  • How to Participate: Drop by either branch or visit their websites to make a donation or join their Friends of the Library groups.

🀝 Volunteer Opportunities

Be a Lifeline with CONTACT Altoona
CONTACT Altoona is actively seeking compassionate local volunteers to answer helpline calls and provide a comforting ear to neighbors in need. They provide complete training, making this a wonderful way to offer real emotional support to community members facing tough times.

  • Key Details: Flexible volunteer hours available following training.
  • How to Participate: Call the admin office at (814) 946-0531 or sign up online.

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

πŸ’‘ Answer to Trivia Question:
Venice

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Warmly,

Charles Sisk 

Editor

The Blair Buzz

Β© 2026 The Blair Buzz.

The Blair Buzz is the neighborly hum of Blair County, PA, delivering the essential happenings of our county. Each issue is a friendly roundup of local news, upcoming events, hidden gems tucked away in our historic county, and shoutouts that celebrate the people who make our community special. It’s a weekly dose of connection, capturing the unique spirit of life in the heart of Blair County.

Β© 2026 The Blair Buzz.

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