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Overheard At Arts Fest 2023

The 57th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts brought unique art, phenomenal food, electric music, and great vibes to State College over the weekend.

With Penn State students briefly back on campus in the midst of summer, the Happy Valley energy we all know and love was once again restored. 

While students and visitors enjoyed (and stumbled around) the wonders of Arts Fest, we kept our ears wide open. Here are the most interesting conversations we happened to ~stumble~ upon throughout the weekend.

Sober girl walking around the art booths with her girl gang: “Wow, I can’t believe this is $1,000. I’ll prob buy it later when I’m drunk.”

Confident girlboss seemingly on her way to a frat: “If we show our boobs do you think they’ll let us in?” 

Student walking downtown with a nice, cold Starbucks “refresher” to clearly obliterated friend: “You can’t have a sippy sip if you’re stumbling!”

Down bad frat guy who was ready to get his freak on: “We need to go to Penn Towers tonight. I heard there were hot bitches on the roof last night.”

Concerned companion to a friend who pulled out a blue, test tube-shaped shooter: “WTF! Is that ketamine?”

Older woman (with a seemingly raunchy background) who was eating a quesadilla by the food trucks in Sidney Friedman Park: “This has some sort of spice in it. Back in the day, I was known for being a little spicy.”

Girl who had her priorities straight: “I don’t want to see a jump-scare penis!”

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About the Author

Evan Halfen

Evan Halfen was a broadcast journalism major from Newark, DE, and was Onward State's community manager and an associate editor. Evan still loves all things Penn State, tomfoolery, tailgating, being loud, just about any beach, the Birds, and his puppy, Wentzy. Check out his Instagram: @evan.halfen or Twitter/X: @EvanHalfen to see how life's treating him.

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