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Downtown Insider | Published by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

We All Win When We Support Downtown!

YOU CAN STILL BUY YOUR FRIENDLY CITY FORTUNE RAFFLE TICKET. Get your ticket online at tickets.friendlycityfortune.com before 11 AM tomorrow, Saturday, July 30.

The Friendly City Fortune Raffle is Saturday, July 30 from noon to 4 PM! We will be drawing a total of 48 prizes with a total cash value of $250,000 live from Downtown Harrisonburg! While ticketholders do not need to be present to win, you are welcome to come and watch live at Court Square Theater or virtually at friendlycityfortune.com. Ticket holders and email subscribers received an email this morning with details about this year's event.

While we LOVE to talk about all the fabulous prizes you can win during the Friendly City Fortune raffle, this raffle also serves as HDR's largest fundraiser. Getting a raffle ticket not only can make you a winner, but it's a huge win for our downtown community!

Proceeds from the Friendly City Fortune help fund Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance's initiatives and programs that make downtown a thriving destination for locals and visitors alike, including:
  • Free community festivals like Best.Weekend.Ever. and Winter Wonderfest
  • Small business assistance through our Bricks & Clicks grants
  • Destination marketing through shop small TV commercials, dining and holiday shopping guides, and seasonal promotions
  • Beautification projects including new lamp post banners and public art pieces
  • Initiatives to preserve downtown's historic buildings and make downtown a welcoming place for all
As you can see, the Friendly City Fortune is really a win-win! Even if you don't go home with a car or $20,000 this Saturday, we all win when we come together to support downtown.
 
View the Prize List
Purchase Your Ticket Online
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Make a Day Out of It!

While you're downtown this weekend for the live Friendly City Fortune raffle drawing, make sure to check out these other events and promotions from our downtown neighbors:
  • Get an Early Start: Why not come in early and check out this Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop happening at Rocktown Yarn Saturday morning at 9 AM. Afterward, you can enjoy a leisurely brunch at one of our many brunch destinations before the drawings start at noon.
  • Grab a Bite to Eat After: Celebrate your raffle win by going out for dinner and drinks at one of our downtown restaurants! Might we suggest the crispy fried flounder special at Mashita, located right around the corner? See our full 2022 Dining Guide online for more ideas.
  • Arsenic and Old Lace: When you tune into Saturday's raffle you'll notice an interesting set behind our BINGO ball machines, that's because Valley Playhouse is bringing Arsenic and Old Lace to Court Square Theater! Catch the show through August 7. Tickets are available online and at the box office.
  • Harry Potter's Birthday Celebrations: Calling all Potterheads- It's your favorite boy-wizard's birthday! Enjoy magical celebrations at Brothers Craft Brewing and Sage Bird Ciderworks on July 30. Be sure to wear your favorite house colors or dress up as your favorite HP character to receive $1 off your first pint! 

What's the HDR Team Up To?

Even though we don't have a free community festival right around the corner doesn't mean that the HDR team isn't busy! Here are a few of the projects that we have in the works (along with getting ready for tomorrow's raffle!):
  • Exploration of the creation of a local historic district
  • Start of ideas for making downtown more accessible for people with disabilities
  • Block Party Planning and Sponsorship Solicitation
  • Skeleton Fest Planning and Sponsorship Solicitation
  • Low Sensory Event Planning - early meetings and exploration with possible Skeleton Fest Implementation
  • DORA ABC Licenses - exploration of Sip & Stroll during non-festival weekends
  • Levitt Amp Your City Grant - waiting to hear if selected for next round
  • Tourism-HDR influencer partnership program
  • Finalizing Bricks and Clicks Grants & Closing out Program
  • VTC Marketing Grant Development for Restaurant Month 2023
  • Church of Incarnation Parking Lot to Park Project - design and feasibility phase
  • Bylaws Revision
  • Development of Code of Ethics for Board of Directors
  • Work Planning for 2023

Thank You for Being a Friend!

Our downtown community is made up of a supportive network of businesses, and to recognize those that help HDR build a more vibrant downtown, we present this segment featuring our Friends of Downtown donors, sponsors, and volunteers.

Digital Minerva

We are incredibly lucky to have a large amount of talent in our downtown neighborhood, especially when it comes to the folks at Digital Minerva. This marketing agency is one of our designated Bricks and Clicks grant program technical assistance providers, and is responsible for giving many of our downtown organizations and businesses (including HDR) a professional digital presence through websites, SEO, digital marketing, photography, and branding.

A HUGE thank you to Ben for keeping our raffle ticketing website in ship shape and to James for being the charismatic spokesperson on our raffle commercial! The Friendly City Fortune raffle would not go nearly as smoothly without your expertise! Thank you for being a friend.
Visit Digital Minerva Online

Shop Local Love

Did you know that when you shop locally, 68% gets returned to Harrisonburg's economy to support community initiatives? In this Downtown Insider Feature, learn about a new product you can purchase from one of our downtown retailers!

Unique Posters at Water Street Vintage & Bohemian


Just in! Water Street Vintage & Bohemian has just released their newest collection of posters for sale. Whether you’re a music fanatic or a movie critic- Water Street Vintage has a poster for everyone! Support our local business by checking out their newest collection on Facebook!
 
Visit Water Street Vintage & Bohemian

The Downtown Dish

Cinnamon Rolls from Bittersweet Bakery

Bittersweet Bakery is back from summer break and they have a fantastic weekly menu line-up. This week you'll find cinnamon rolls, hazelnut crunch cake, oatmeal chai cream pies, and lemon blueberry lavender scones!

Need an emergency celebration cake? Bittersweet has got you covered with last-minute cakes made ready in as little as TWO HOURS for Friday and Saturday pick-up! Whoo hoo!

We were thrilled to be able to help Bittersweet with thier new website with integrated ordering through the Bricks & Clicks program. Complete your orders for this weekend online through their website here!

Is there a downtown dish that you think everyone needs to know about? Tag @downtownharrisonburg in your Instagram food posts (or send us a message on Facebook) and your photo could be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

View Bittersweet Bakery's Menu
Join our Eat Local Facebook Group

The Downtown Scene:

  • Announcements
    • withSimplicity is moving to a new HQ and storefront! They will still be downtown, just around the corner at 66 E Market St. Join them for their grand re-opening on Friday, August 26.
    • Looking for opportunities to introduce your business, non-profit, or church to thousands of incoming JMU students? HDR has booth spaces available for our 15th annual Block Party in the 'Burg event on Saturday, August 27th from 2:30-4:30 PM! Contact Grace Routhier via phone (540-432-8909) or email to learn more. 
    • East Market Street between Federal and Mason streets will close beginning Friday, August 5 through about August 19 for maintenance. Drivers will still be able to travel from Main Street to Federal Street, where they can turn north toward Elizabeth Street or south toward Water Street. An additional closure, on South Federal Street from East Market Street to the alleyway before East Water Street, will be in place toward the end of the project. All businesses on this stretch will remain open as usual and can be reached by foot traffic.
  • Downtown Events
    • The Harrisonburg Dance Co-Op is hosting Summer Pop-Up Classes on Fridays at 5:30 PM at the Friendly City Dance Room through August 12. Sign up here.
    • Join author Russ Eanes (The Walk of a Lifetime: 500 Miles of the Camino de Santiago) at Walkabout Outfitter as he shares his journey on the Italian Cammino. Eanes will share his photos and stories about this route that traverses Florence to Rome! Learn about significant sites relating to St. Francis of Assisi, fabulous scenery, impeccable Italian food, and ancient/medieval history on August 3 at 6 PM.
    • Join Brothers Craft Brewing for Beans & Brews on August 5 from 4 - 8 PM. This Chili & Beer festival benefits the Harrisonburg/Rockingham chapter of Bridge of Hope, an organization that serves local families experiencing homelessness. Featuring great chili, winning beer, games, and music, this is a family-friendly event that will have something for everyone.
    • The next Co-Op Explorers class on upcycling, Cardboard and Books, takes place on Saturday, August 13 at 11 AM. The Friendly City Food Co-op will help kids take those no-longer-used books and turn them into treasure boxes. Find all the details here.
    • The X2 Comedy Series returns to Court Square Theater Saturday, August 13 at 7:30 PM. Dante Carter is headliner for the show, which features high quality, clean (PG-13) laughs from nationally touring, regional and local comedians. Also performing are local comics Chris Womack, Jay Zehr, and Dawn Davis Womack, along with DC-based pastor-turned comedian PT Bratton. Get tickets here.
    • Join Shenandoah Bike Co. for Monday night Road Rides, every Monday at 8 PM. This 1.5 - 2 hour road ride leaves SBC for 20-30 miles then back to SBC and downtown for post-ride beverages and camaraderie. Contact Thomas Jenkins tj@shenandoahbicycle.com with questions.
    • Back again by popular demand, the Harrisonburg Farmer's Market is bringing back TomatoFest on August 13 during our regular market hours. Celebrate the beloved Tomato in all its glory. Raffle Giveaways, Chef Demo, Live Music, Children's Activities, Tomato Contest, and lots of Tomatoes and tomato goods.
    • MARK YOU CALENDAR - The Harrisonburg International Festival is coming back on Saturday, September 24 from 12 - 4 PM. Learn more about this year's event here.
  • Now Hiring
    • Do you want to utilize your administrative skills to assist the Department of Community Development in offering professional and courteous customer service? If so, this Administrative Assistant position may be the right career for you!
    • The Local Chop & Grill House is currently looking for individuals for the following positions - Line Cook, Dishwasher, Server, and Host. Compensation does vary according to position and experience, and there is plenty of room for growth. Apply here.
    • HUGO KOHL Jewelry is looking for a dynamic, driven, and creative individual to join our team as the Boutique Manager. Please come by the shop and introduce yourself with your resumé!
    • The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham is holding open-house interviews for Direct Support Professional (DSP) positions on August 10, and August 24 from 1-5 PM at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center. Learn more here.
    • Looking for a restaurant job? Many downtown locations are still hiring servers, cooks, and prep staff. Check out a list of restaurants on our downtown directory, for social media and website listings to guide your search.
2022 Downtown Harrisonburg Annual Event Lineup:
Do you have an event or promotion happening in downtown Harrisonburg that you want to be featured in the next newsletter? Add your event to our Downtown Calendar through this online form! You can find detailed instructions here.
View More Downtown Events
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