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
Looking for fun ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in the Friendly City? Look no further than this year's Valentine's round-up featuring gift ideas, local restaurant specials, sales, and events happening all weekend long! Don't miss out on planning the perfect date night or celebrating your galentine's and loved ones! more
Voting is now open for Virginia Living's Best of 2023. It's no surprise to locals that several Downtown Harrisonburg businesses and attractions have made the nomination list, but we need your help in order to help these nominees place at the top. more
It’s been a few years since we had a chance to celebrate downtown milestones and the amazing partners and businesses who make our downtown the vibrant place we love so much. Join us as we recap our 2022 Celebration and Donor Reception event and take a look back at all that we have accomplished together in Downtown Harrisonburg. more
Minimalism and holiday gifting - two things that, on the surface, don’t seem to go together, right? Guest blogger Morgan Paixao of Humble Home Organizing wouldn’t be so sure. Read more for gift ideas for conscientious gift-givers that also support small businesses. Time to think outside the box! more