Chaz Haywood, an Army veteran who now serves as Rockingham Clerk of Court, will act as the grand marshal for HDR’s annual Veterans Parade — which will be downtown this Sunday from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. We sat down with Haywood to hear more about his time in the military, how it prepared him for his role now and why he believes it’s important to make the history of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County accessible to all. more
Furious Flower Poetry Center at James Madison University is back with another open mic and poetry reading at The Golden Pony on October 26! more
With the Forbes Center of Preforming Arts and Downtown Harrisonburg being only a 5-minute drive apart, it only makes sense to elevate your night with both dinner and a show. This year, enjoy a wide variety of talented performances hosted by James Madison University and indulge in some of Downtown Harrisonburg’s best restaurants. more
The Black Legacy Project has reached thousands of people in more than 400 communities globally by connecting people of all backgrounds and advocating for equity. You too can witness the work of the Black Legacy Project at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, on the Arts Incarnate stage at the Church of the Incarnation. more
They say laughter is the best medicine, and Dawn Davis Womack is healing the Friendly City. Davis Womack is the founder of X2 Comedy, the host of the Virginia is for Laughers podcast and an iconic face of local stand-up comedy. Having lived in the Valley for 17 years, Davis Womack said her goal has always been to unite the community while spreading laughter. more
Nestled within the vibrant Turner Pavilion, a space usually reserved for Harrisonburg’s bustling weekly Farmer's Market, a remarkable transformation occurred. Instead of rows of fresh vegetables and tempting local treats, an array of global flavors emerged, courtesy of Harrisonburg's finest local restaurants. Since its inception in 2018, Harrisonburg Virginia’s Downtown Dinner Party has become a cherished tradition, captivating the palates of locals and visitors alike. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR), it's only fitting to honor this milestone with an unforgettable evening filled with delicious delights. more
This Taste of Downtown Recap highlights some faces around Downtown Harrisonburg with a personal flare! We are so thankful for the participants, whether they are businesses downtown, people of Harrisonburg, sponsors, or anyone who contributed to this fantastic month of community! more
Get ready for a new movement to build Downtown Harrisonburg as a destination where dog-friendly businesses thrive and pets enjoy memorable experiences! On this twentieth anniversary year, we are delighted to announce a new focus for the future of Downtown Harrisonburg: developing programs and events that are dog-forward as well as welcoming new dog-focused businesses to the Downtown Harrisonburg community. We look forward to working on this new focus to make Harrisonburg known nationally as "The Dog-Friendly City." more
People who visit Downtown Harrisonburg know that coffee shops are a large part of our downtown community’s scene. We are excited to share that one of our neighborhood staples, Black Sheep Coffee, will be moving from its original home in the ICE House on Liberty Street to a different location on East Market Street this summer. more
Happy Valentine's Day! As part of our twentieth-anniversary celebration at Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, we invited the community to share their love stories (romantic, platonic, family, etc.) that feature Downtown Harrisonburg. We LOVED reading everyone's stories and have shared some of our favorites on Facebook and Instagram. Check out the full collection of stories below, and prepare to feel warm and fuzzy. more