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Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance looks forward to fall events after successful summer

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Summer 2022 comes to its unofficial end this weekend and for downtown Harrisonburg, it was a busy season with many events making their first comeback in years.

“It’s felt really good to bring the community back together and to celebrate being in Harrisonburg and to provide something fun for our communities and tourists to do while they’re here,” Andrea Dono, the Executive Director of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, said.

Thousands of people flocked to the Turner Pavilion for the Rocktown Beer and Music Festival in April and the sold-out Downtown Dinner Party brought people together in May. Both events came back from a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Best.Weekend.Ever. featured live music, a sip and stroll, and food trucks in June. Block Party in the ‘Burg welcomed James Madison University students back to the Friendly City at the end of August. Both events were able to happen last summer.

“They come back because they love Harrisonburg and they just need an excuse to come here, so it’s really important for people to maintain their connections with our community,” Dono said. “I think people are just hungry for togetherness and for activities to get back into things.”

Events were reformatted so they are all not at the Turner Pavilion or Court Square, but all around the 40-blocks making up downtown Harrisonburg.

This fall there are still plenty of events and festivals to look forward to:

– Harrisonburg International Festival: Saturday, Sept. 22, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

– Shenandoah Valley Pride: Saturday, Oct. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

– Skeleton Festival: Saturday, Oct. 15, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

– Harrisonburg Half Marathon: Oct. 15 at 7 a.m.

“It’s just going to be a phenomenal time in downtown Harrisonburg starting this month,” Dono said.

While big events happen several times a season in downtown Harrisonburg, Dono encourages people to check out events that small businesses host frequently and check out First Fridays every month.

Father’s Day weekend events in Harrisonburg

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Families have many options to celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, especially if they plan to spend time in Harrisonburg.

“A lot of people want the feeling of being part of a community,” said Harrisonburg tourism manager Jennifer Bell. “There’s a wide variety of things to do here and people will be enjoying the area.”

According to Bell, the city of Harrisonburg will be filled with events for the entire family, ranging from dining to hiking to arts and crafts for children of all ages.

“Pottery is particularly good for younger ages,” added Bell. “Kids can paint souvenirs together.”

The Friendly City will be offering live music at staple restaurants such as Clementine Cafe and The Golden Pony. Families can also visit the gardens at the Edith Carrier Arboretum at James Madison University.

“We have so much going on,” said Bell. “We’re a welcoming and friendly community that is a fun place for people to enjoy.”

More information on weekend events can be found here. Beyond Harrisonburg, families can stop by concerts in Luray, art exhibits in Staunton, and carnivals in Waynesboro.