Celebrate Summer Solstice at Penn State Student Farm Event

By Blake Jackson

The Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State is excited to welcome the community to its seventh annual Summer Solstice Celebration on Tuesday, July 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. This festive evening will celebrate the longest day of the year with live music, local food, and a range of family-friendly activities on the farm.

Free and open to the public, the event invites students, faculty, and community members to enjoy summer's peak amidst vibrant greenery and farm-fresh flavors.

Located near the intersection of Big Hollow and Fox Hollow roads, the farm offers on-site parking for $1 per hour. Attendees needing special parking accommodations are encouraged to email studentfarm@psu.edu in advance.

A complimentary shuttle bus will run throughout the evening, making pickups and drop-offs at the Curtin Road bus stop near the Creamery.

Guests can enjoy fresh meals from local food vendors, including Farmstead Fusion and Real Taste 570, both offering dishes made with produce from the Student Farm.

While savoring delicious food, guests can relax to the sound of live music performed on the lawn. The Center for Arts and Crafts will provide interactive art activities for all ages, featuring a special nature collaging project.

Additional attractions include the smoothie bike and other engaging farm-themed activities. Both cash and cards are accepted for food truck purchases and Student Farm Club merchandise.

“The farm in the summer is a thriving and lively environment,” said Sarah Landauer, community outreach specialist. “Not only is the Summer Solstice Celebration an opportunity to celebrate the longest day of the year, but also a chance to enjoy and celebrate the farm!”

Casual tours will be offered throughout the evening. Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, sun protection, lawn chairs or picnic blankets, and to wear sturdy shoes. Pets are not allowed to protect crops in production.

In case of bad weather, updates will be posted on the Student Farm’s Facebook and Instagram pages, where additional summer events are also listed.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski