Bars aim to cash in on Penn State/Notre Dame clash

Bar owners throughout Northeast Pennsylvania feel the buzz surrounding Thursday’s College Football Playoff Semifinal game featuring Penn State and Notre Dame.

Lindsey Mellow, owner of Happy Valley Sports Bar in Dickson City, a Penn State-themed bar, believes the clash between the Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish for a trip to the national championship may be the most anticipated sporting event since the establishment opened in 2015.

“I think it’s going to be the biggest game we’ve ever had,” Mellow said. “There is a lot of energy, a lot of excitement — this is huge for our area.”

In addition to the first 100 guests receiving a Happy Valley/Orange Bowl-themed T-shirt emblazoned with the logos of both teams, the bar will offer food specials specific to the schools including The Four Horsemen burger — a nod to Notre Dame’s star-studded backfield in the 1920s — and a Penn Stater hoagie.

Despite a 7:30 p.m. Thursday kickoff time, Jason Mushow, Mellow’s husband, feels both fan bases will be well represented.

“I think everybody is calling off for Friday,” he said.

To meet the expected high demand, Happy Valley will have a high-definition projection screen set up in the banquet room for people to watch the game.

Two days prior to the national semifinal, Mellow was also bracing for an electric environment Thursday night.

“I’m actually nervous about the whole thing … it literally scares me,” she said. “That’s how big I think the hype is about this game.”

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Mike Macciocco, co-owner of Buddy Clarke’s in Dunmore, thinks the tavern — which typically attracts Notre Dame supporters — will draw a good amount of Penn State enthusiasts wearing blue and white, as well, which should make for an energetic environment.

“We’re anticipating a bar divided with fans from…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bars-aim-cash-penn-state-010200604.html

Author : The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.

Publish date : 2025-01-09 01:02:00

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