Sometimes home is not a house or where we were born; instead, it becomes a place we create far from what was once familiar to us. In November of 2005, James Carter, along with his then wife, Angela, and toddler, Atlas, left his birthplace in the World Heritage Site and historical city of Bath, England, to create a home in the Shenandoah Valley. After visiting the area in years prior, the couple agreed that The Friendly City was a place they could build a life together. With only ten boxes of belongings, no housing, no transportation or solid job offers, James Carter took a risk which would ultimately result in him achieving The American Dream. Prior to moving to Harrisonburg, VA, the Carters initiated an online business for the sole purpose of funding their overseas move. The business, Parentbaby.com, sold pregnancy and baby products — the same products Angela, purchased during her pregnancy while visiting her home of southern Virginia. These products were not easily found in the UK, and was James’ first instance in discovering his love for entrepreneurship and online marketing. This venture was the beginning of Carter’s passion for marketing, and would eventually lead to him opening his own full-service downtown Harrisonburg marketing agency, Digital Minerva. more
Easter is the best holiday for a heaping dose of community. If you're spending your Easter downtown with us this year, there are many ways to make this Easter one to cherish. Grab your family and friends and enjoy a tasty, adventurous, relaxing, and memorable weekend at all your favorite downtown spots! more
We were thrilled to get a sneak peek of Massanutten Regional Library's upcoming StoryWalk project last week! Made possible by a Destination Downtown grant from HDR, StoryWalk is an interactive, kid-friendly, fun, and free new way to explore Downtown Harrisonburg— while also enjoying a diverse selection of childrens' stories with messages and lessons that you'll feel good sharing with your family. more
There are so many great restaurants in Downtown Harrisonburg, it can be overwhelming trying to visit them all! Wouldn't it be great to spend a beautiful afternoon walking through Downtown, learning some Harrisonburg history, and checking a bunch of food spots off your culinary checklist? With the Rocktown Bites Downtown Food Tours, brought to us by Hotel Madison, you can do just that. With tickets at just $49, this three-hour-long walking tour chock full of scenery, history, and generous food samplings will definitely NOT leave you hungry for more. more
These local businesses and people are the backbone of the downtown Harrisonburg community. Read about their contributions to our city and why they received this well-deserved recognition at this year's Celebration & Reception. more
We're bringing you some of our favorite finds in downtown this week, including great deals, new merchandise and the scoop on all of the mysterious scooters you're seeing around town. more
The first part of our "going-green" series, we'll give you the scoop on how restaurants, breweries and markets downtown are being socially and environmentally responsible. more
Cowbells? Effects pedals? Dueling harpsichords? Yes, all that and more is coming to this year’s Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. If you think the Bach Festival is an “EMU thing,” think again! This year the Festival will have a bigger downtown Harrisonburg presence than ever before, and you’ll hear sounds you never thought you’d hear from classical musicians! more
We're just a few days out from HDR's brand new event, the Downtown Dinner Party, which is taking the place of Renaissance Night. For HDR's 15th Anniversary, we've decided to team up with the Sub Rosa Supper Club event team for a festive and food-filled night in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg. The event will feature an elegantly transformed Turner Pavilion with 15 curated bar and tasting stations from downtown restaurants like you've never seen them before and 15 incredible experiences to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Plus, there will be music by DJ Ryan Clark, The Rosy Co. vintage photo booth trailer, craft cocktails and more! more