Blog

Emily Winter Emily Winter

What Makes Downtown Harrisonburg Special to You?

As we quickly move into the season of thanks, we want to hear from you! What makes downtown Harrisonburg special to you? Submit your response to be featured in an upcoming social media campaign this fall.

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michelle hinegardner michelle hinegardner

Shop Smart, Shop Local: Your Downtown Harrisonburg Back-to-School Guide

Virginia's tax-free weekend is here — Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9 — and Downtown Harrisonburg is ready for it. Skip the sales tax, support local, and knock out your back-to-school list while you're at it. Several downtown shops are rolling out special events and deals just for the weekend.

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Kara Russell Kara Russell

Summer Essentials You Can Find Right Here in Downtown Harrisonburg

Get ready for summer in Downtown Harrisonburg with your go-to guide for seasonal essentials. From the perfect beach read and warm-weather wardrobe staples to sun care, picnic picks, and sweet treats, this blog highlights everything you need for a fun and easy summer all while supporting local shops and makers.

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Kara Russell Kara Russell

Buzzing Through Harrisonburg: A Month of Pollinators, Plants, and Community

This blog highlights Pollinator Month in Harrisonburg and showcases a full lineup of downtown events, community programs, and local stories that celebrate bees, butterflies, birds, and other essential pollinators. It also features insights from local gardeners and experts on how everyday spaces such as yards and balconies can be transformed into thriving pollinator habitats.

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Grace Erwin Grace Erwin

The Heart of the Friendly City

Spring Content & Marketing intern Grace Erwin reflects on her time with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and what she learned working this semester downtown.

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michelle hinegardner michelle hinegardner

Your Summer Staycation Begins Graduation Weekend!

Graduation weekend is here and we've got a secret to share. While everyone's worried about packed restaurants and impossible reservations, downtown Harrisonburg is actually one of the best-kept secrets of JMU's biggest weekend. Check out what you can look forward to this summer here.

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michelle hinegardner michelle hinegardner

2026 Mother’s Day Roundup

Celebrate mothers of all kinds in Downtown Harrisonburg this Mother's Day. From brunch tables to sweet treats to wellness gifts, downtown has everything you need to make May 10th unforgettable for the mom in your life.

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Emily Winter Emily Winter

Small Town, Big Heart: Join HDR for an Epic Great Community Give

Mark your calendars for April 22! From creating inclusive play spaces to putting local musicians on the big stage, HDR is dreaming big for this year’s Great Community Give. Discover our 2026 goals and meet the downtown nonprofit neighbors we’re cheering for this month.

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Kara Russell Kara Russell

Hop Around Downtown This Easter!

Whether you’re planning a day out with the kids or just looking for a fun way to celebrate, we’ve rounded up all the Easter happenings taking place downtown so you can hop from one event to the next with ease.

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Taste of Downtown michelle hinegardner Taste of Downtown michelle hinegardner

Heritage Bakery & Café: Ten Years of Grace, Whimsy, and Community

As Heritage Bakery & Café marks a decade in Downtown Harrisonburg, co-owner Brenda Loewen reflects on what the milestone represents: a decade of creating a multigenerational gathering space, of bringing "a little grace" to people's days, and of watching her daughter Isabel grow into a skilled baker and the creative force behind the café's distinctive charm.

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