Through the inspiring teamwork of Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed and owner of Magpie Diner, Kirsten Moore, Juneteenth will be a celebration for the entire Harrisonburg community. Moore, owner of Magpie Diner, opened the diner in 2020 as an opportunity for the community to connect around food. In addition to being the Mayor of Harrisonburg, Mayor Reed is also a member of The Perch at Magpie and a good friend of Moore's. They struck up a friendly conversation while Mayor Reed was attending a lunch meeting at the diner, Moore wanted to learn more about street closures for events, Mayor Reed pitched an idea for a Juneteenth event. With determination, willingness, and collaboration, planning for Magpie Diner’s Juneteenth Celebration was underway. Councilman Christopher Jones was brought into the event planning, assisting Officer Westhall and Officer Howard in laying out the event’s footprint, shutting down Gay and Liberty Street, and assisting in selecting the music performances. more
It's been over a year of sheltering in place and quarantining, but now that more people are getting vaccinated and state regulations are being lifted, we are revving up to welcome everyone back to in-person events in downtown Harrisonburg! Whether you are into live music, trivia, happy hours, BINGO, art workshops, or something else, downtown Harrisonburg has something for you. The downtown Events Calendar is updated weekly with new additions, but there is also a number of weekly events to keep you entertained throughout the week. Check back as we will update weekly events here throughout the spring and summer! more
How appropriate is it that Mother’s Day and Earth Day are so close together? Check out how businesses downtown can help you celebrate Mother Earth and every other kind of mother in your life in the upcoming weeks ahead. more
As flowers start blooming and the weather starts warming up this week, local businesses are ready to welcome you downtown to celebrate Easter and the spring season! Check out these activities and promotions below and plan your trip downtown to enjoy the warm sunshine. more
From classic red roses to fair trade jewelry to heart-shaped pizzas and beyond — you can find everything you need for a unforgettable Valentine's Day downtown. Order ahead and use curbside pickup or delivery for a safely distanced celebration! Check out some thought-starters below and explore our shop online guide and downtown business directory for even more inspiration. more
Let downtown do the cooking this year! No matter the size of your gathering or where you prefer to give your thanks, there are plenty of options downtown for those looking for a hand with the side dishes, desserts, or even the whole meal. more
By Kathleen Shaw / Header photo courtesy of Kathleen Shaw — While studying in Nepal, a young Rameshwari “Rama” Shrestha first heard whispers about Shyam “John” Shrestha through her teacher, his cousin. In quick time, their parents met and discussed a potential union. Before ever meeting, the two were bound for marriage in the country’s capital of Kathmandu and wed after a handful of phone conversations. more
Some friends get together to drink a beer on the porch, go fishing in a nearby pond, play wiffle ball in the backyard, or grab a bite to eat — and some friends get together with 50 pounds of green coffee beans they’ve collectively purchased and try their hand at roasting coffee one pound at a time, because why not? This kind of ingenuity seems to be a hallmark of this town. So many fantastic ideas hatched at dusk in someone’s backyard while fireflies flash and kids with training wheels roll down the sidewalk. This was the case for cousins Darryl and Charles Matthews and their coworkers Emily and Larisa Martin, who now own Merge Coffee Company, on a typical Sunday night. After several weekly attempts at roasting, they refined their skills enough that their acquaintances were requesting bags of coffee for their own consumption. And for a year, these four friends sold their coffee online, roasting a small batch every Sunday in their garage and shipping orders every Monday. more
Show dad you care with delicious food, unforgettable gifts, and local love from Downtown Harrisonburg! We've assembled some inspiration for you — for our full directory of who's open, where you can eat inside or on the patio, and where you can get delivery or takeout, visit downtownharrisonburg.org/covid19. more