The Ducks are again heading east this year, with a stop in State College, PA to take on Penn State. It’s the first time the Ducks have played at Beaver Stadium in over 60 years. I am ready to bring some green and yellow to that White Out canvas!

Getting around

When you travel with the UO Alumni Association and Ducks Fan Travel, we make your travel experience as seamless as possible. Join us September 25–27 and enjoy deluxe hotel accommodations, round-trip gameday transportation, and priority entry to the Mighty Oregon Tailgate through our land-only packages. 
 

Key stops

On the Ducks Fan Travel tour, you’ll have all day on Friday to explore Pennsylvania at your leisure. Here are some suggestions: 
 

• Hershey’s Chocolate World: The Ducks Fan Travel tour will be based in Hershey, PA, so you will want to book your spot on the free Hershey’s Chocolate Tour to see how chocolate is made and enjoy some free samples. 
  
   
• Fall Foliage Tours: The trees will just be starting to show off their colors in late September. If you’re on the Ducks Fan Travel Tour, talk with a representative at the Hershey Lodge to book a driver for the day or take a spin along scenic highways 322 and 147. Leaf it to Pennsylvania to provide stunning views! 
  
   
• Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center: History buffs, this one is for you! Spend your free day immersed in Civil War history. Start your day at the visitor’s center; then take a guided tour of the battlefield; and end your day at the Soldier’s National Cemetery, the resting place of over 3,500 Union soldiers and the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. 
  
   
• Amish communities: There are several Amish communities near State College and Harrisburg. Amish communities often have visitor centers and wonderful general stores where you can pick up amazing preserves and other tasty treats. When traveling to Amish communities, please remember the Amish value their privacy and prefer not to be photographed. 
  
   
• Beaver Stadium: Our Saturday Destination! One of the largest college football stadiums in the United States with a capacity of over 106,000, Beaver Stadium is known for its electrifying atmosphere, especially during the famous “White Out” games. I strongly suggest sampling the Penn State Creamery offerings for an ice cream treat during the game. It’s a scoop of heaven. 
   

PA speaks

Back by popular demand, it’s PA speak, similar to last year’s Midwest speak. Pennsylvania straddles both the Midwest and the eastern states and has developed a language and accent all its own. 

Yinz: Used in Western PA, similar to "y'all" 

Jawn: A versatile term used in Philadelphia to refer to any person, place, thing, or event. 

Hoagie: What Pennsylvanians call a submarine sandwich. 

Scrapple: This popular Pennsylvania dish is made from pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal, flour (often buckwheat), and spices. The mixture is formed into a loaf and then sliced and pan-fried until crispy. Yinz, pass me the maple syrup! 
 

Movies to set the scene

Witness (1985)—Filmed in and around rural Pennsylvania, Witness is set in an Amish community near Lancaster, PA. The story revolves around a young Amish boy who witnesses a murder, leading a police officer (played by Harrison Ford) to protect him and his mother. 

Gettysburg (1993)—This film adaptation from Michael Shaara’s novel The Killer Angels is a four-and-a-half-hour epic war film focusing on this decisive moment in the US Civil War. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)—Based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky, this coming-of-age film set in Pittsburgh, PA is about a 15-year-old boy struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. He is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world. 

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)—This classic film will immerse you in the world of chocolate and whimsical adventures, just in time for our stay in Hershey.

Books to set the mood

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold—This novel set in Norristown, PA tells the story of a young girl's murder and its aftermath. 

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara—Part of The Civil War Trilogy series, this historical novel is centered around the Battle of Gettysburg. 

The Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father by Jay Paterno, forward by Phil Knight—This biography and memoir reflects on the life and legacy of the late Joe Paterno, long-time football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. His son, Jay, reflects on his father's impact on Penn State and college football. 
 

Final Thoughts

As we embark on our next adventure to Big Ten country, let’s remember to savor every moment, just like a fine piece of chocolate or maybe a loaf made of pork trimmings. Whether we’re riding rollercoasters at Hershey Adventure or taking a drive through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, let’s embrace the sweet and quirky experience that await us and cheer our beloved Ducks to victory in Happy Valley!