Coming Home to Harrisonburg 💜💛
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It’s JMU Homecoming Weekend, Harrisonburg!
There’s no better way to celebrate decades of PURPLE & GOLD legacy coming together than to head downtown and explore.
A lot has happened downtown since last year’s Homecoming… new businesses, new public art installations, new restaurants, and so much more!
Check out our tips below to make the most out of Homecoming 2022!
- Start by checking out the JMU Alumni Association's Homecoming Weekend Guide. Complete with a great list of local dining and lodging suggestions, the guide will make planning your trip a “Breeze.”
- Meet up with all your favorite alumnas and take on an escape room challenge at the new Escapism on Water St. Then celebrate your success next door with the best gelato in town at Bella Gelato & Pastries!
- Couldn’t find tickets to the football game? Don’t worry! Just head to your favorite downtown restaurant, bar, brewery, or cidery to watch the Dukes beat Marshall! Lots of downtown businesses even have special purple and gold decorations and festivities set up just for this weekend.
- Grab all your JMU Alumni essential merchandise at the new University Outpost location on S Main St! Snazzy keychains, mugs, shirts, crewnecks, and so much more, all conveniently located between your favorite downtown dives like Billy Jack’s and Jimmy Madison’s.
- Looking for a late night bite after an exciting day of festivities on campus? Check out the brand new Texas Inn restaurant on S Main St for old-fashioned, famous classics. Open till 2 AM.
Lastly, don’t miss recent renovations and improvements all around town! Urgie’s remodeled, Mashita and Sage Bird Cider Works expanded their spaces...There's an awesome new Mexican food truck, Lolita’s Delights, located right across from Kline’s… the Friendly City is thriving and we are thrilled to welcome you HOME!
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Holiday Shopping is Around the Corner!
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Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 26, 2022
The holiday shopping season is approaching and downtown is gearing up to bring you quality, unique gifts for everyone on your list.
Why shop small? You’ll discover quality, one-of-a-kind, artisan items that you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll receive personalized attention from small business owners and employees who are knowledgeable about the products they sell. Most importantly, you’ll make a significant impact on our community by investing your money locally. By shopping small, you’re investing in our schools, roads, and other services we use daily.
And on top of that, we’re making shopping small even sweeter for you! On Small Business Saturday (Saturday, November 26) we’re randomly drawing lucky winners to win big in downtown gift certificates! RSVP on our Facebook event to stay up-to-date as we release details.
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Ready to start your holiday shopping right NOW?! Many of our downtown businesses are already stocking up on their holiday merchandise!
Check out withSimplicity's holiday collection, pictured here, online and in-store today.
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Also, stay tuned for the release of the 2022 Downtown Holiday Shopping Guide, which will be released in the Daily News-Record and online on November 19.
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Coming Soon: Veterans Day Parade
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Veterans Day Parade
Sunday, November 6, 2022, 2 - 3 PM
We are delighted to be bringing back an in-person celebration of those, past and present, who have made our nation’s freedom possible with the return of the Veterans Day Parade. Veterans, veterans groups, non-profits, and government entities may enter the parade for free. Fill out an application here.
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Apply Now: HDR Board Positions
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We are recruiting up to three positions on HDR’s Board of Directors to begin a three-year term in January 2023. Do you love Downtown and have the time to give to make it stronger? Would you like to be in a position of leadership with our organization? Please tell us about yourself by submitting your statement of interest by November 15.
Two specific roles we would like to fill include a lawyer to advise the organization & someone passionate about being an advocate for historic preservation.
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Downtown Events Coming Soon!
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Resolute Weekend
November 11 - 13, 2022
Centered around Brothers Craft Brewing's award-winning and nationally known Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout, this event brings in craft beer enthusiasts from across the mid-Atlantic. Join the festivities November 11-13. There will be something for beer lovers and non-beer drinkers alike!
Set a Facebook Reminder >>
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Winter Wonderfest
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Bring in the holiday season downtown with Winter Wonderfest! Sip & Stroll and shop while taking part in family-friendly activities. Vote for your favorite creations in the Annual Gingerbread House Build-off, tour downtown in a horse-drawn carriage, visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and much more. The day will begin with The Arc of HR's annual Santa Run, Walk, 'N Roll and will be capped off with the City of Harrisonburg’s annual Holiday Parade and tree lighting.
Set a Facebook Reminder >>
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Are you interested in sponsoring or becoming a vendor at one of our
upcoming community festivals?
Download our Sponsorship Packet to see available sponsorship opportunities for your business and find our Vendor Applications here!
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Thank You for Being a Friend!
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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.
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Skeleton Festival Volunteers
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Skeleton Festival would not have been possible without our amazing volunteers! Thank you to everyone who came out to set up trash boxes, hang up signage, decorate downtown, manage the costume contests, and help the event run smoothly.
Special thank you to Karen and Ana Valdez for helping us with the Community Ofrenda! We were floored by the attention to detail these two put into the display and their hard work answering questions throughout the event.
Make sure to check out their upcoming Dia de los Muertos fundraiser for Our Community Place coming up on October 29 (details below).
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Did you miss the Community Ofrenda at Skeleton Fest? Make sure to check out this event from Virginia Organizing on October 29:
"COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE DAY OF THE DEAD AT OCP💀🌼💀 LET'S RAISE FUNDS FOR THE HOMELESS!! WE WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES (OFFERING), FOOD, AND MUSIC💀🌼💀YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME IN A COSTUME AND BRING YOUR OWN CANDLE AND PHOTO FOR THE ALTAR AS WELL ( WE WILL HAVE A LIMITED SUPPLY AVAILABLE OF CANDLES)."
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Skeleton Festival would also not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors!
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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 fun product you can purchase from one of our downtown retailers!
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Fresh Baked Treats at Blue Ridge Dog
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Don't forget your four-legged friends this fall! Blue Ridge Dog has the cutest, fresh-baked dog treats in a variety of shapes and flavors to appeal to all the pooches in your life! We can't get over how cute these black cats, ghosts, skeletons, mummies and squirrels are!
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Special thank you to Blue Ridge Dog for donating treats and prizes to our Pet costume contest contestants this past Saturday at Skeleton Fest! See the group photo here.
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Blue Ridge Dog is located at 115 W Water St and is open Wednesday - Sunday from noon - 4 PM for window browsing and order pick-ups.
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Did you have an amazing meal downtown that you want EVERYONE to know about? Tag us in your food pictures @downtownharrisonburg and you may be featured in an upcoming Downtown Dish feature!
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Korean Spicy Chicken Dupbap at Beyond Restaurant
Our local food scene is all about using in-season ingredients, so it's always exciting to see what new specials our downtown chefs cook up when the temperature changes! Check out this October special at Beyond Restaurant and Lounge!
Korean Spicy Chicken Dupbap is made with a base of potatoes and rice, marinated chicken, kimchi, peppers, onion, melted cheese, and housemade Korean sauce. It's served hot in a stone bowl and tastes like a hearty, cozy stew, perfect for these crisp fall evenings!
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- Announcements
- #InternMorgan is now featured on JMU's website! Read about her experience at HDR, JMU, and beyond here.
- Rocktown Yarn has set up a cold-weather accessory "tree" in Denton Park. Take an item if you or someone you know is in need, or leave hats, gloves, and scarves (handmade or not!) if you can.
- Learn the basics of stand-up and comedic storytelling in fun interactive workshops by X2 Comedy at Hotel Madison! This series will end in a showcase on December 3. Learn more and register online before October 30 here.
- Welcome Deviant Kreations to the Shops at Agora! You may have seen creations from this LGBTQIA+ art boutique at the Harrisonburg Farmer's Market, but we are excited to welcome them to Agora starting November 1.
- Jimmy Madison's is now open 11 AM - 10 PM on Mondays!
- Registration for 2023 First Fridays of the Valley is now open. Find the online registration form here. Registration closes on October 28.
- The Harrisonburg Fire Department is collecting coats for kids this October! Drop off donations at 101 N. Main Street to help keep our community's kids warm this fall and winter.
- Applications are still open for the Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 6! The entry fee is $25 for commercial entries. All veterans, veterans groups, non-profits, and government entities are exempt from this fee.
- Vendor applications for Winter Wonderfest on Saturday, December 3 are now open. Fill out an application if you are a food vendor here or a non-food vendor here.
- Spooky Halloween Fun
- Valley Playhouse presents Robert Mason's An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, an adaptation of Poe classics at Court Square Theater. The show runs through Sunday, October 23 at 3 PM. Tickets and showtimes are on Court Square Theater's website.
- Get your costumes and dancing shoes ready for a Halloween Party at Hotel Madison on October 29 from 7 - 10 PM. Enjoy DJ and dancing, refreshments, a cash bar, and costume contests with prizes. Tickets are $30. Are you busy "adulting" but still like to get dressed up for Halloween and don't know where to go? This is the answer! Proceeds will go toward the Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Day Care Center.
- Movie lovers have lots to see this month! Check out B-Movie Mondays in October at Restless Moons. Movies start at 7pm, come out early to grab your beers and a seat!
- On October 28 at 6:45 PM join the Harrisonburg Police Department in watching an outdoor movie at Turner Pavilion. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and costumes and enjoy The Addams Family 2.
- It’s been 30 years and the Sanderson sisters are back! Join drag queens Ginger Minj, Gidget Galore, and MR MS Adrien for this incredible musical event on October 29 at 3 PM and 7:30 PM at Court Square Theater! Purchase tickets online here.
- Trick or Treat Yourself to Pink Ambition's Pole Show at Clementine, Saturday, October 29 from 8 - 10 PM. Tickets are $10 presale or $12 at the door.
- History lovers and ghost-hunters alike won't want to miss the return of Haunted Harrisonburg Ghost Tours, Saturday, October 22. Traverse the Southern Spooktacular Route at 7 PM or the Northern Nailbiter Route at 8:30 PM for even MORE haunted history.
- Join Sage Bird Ciderworks for a Vampire Masquerade on Saturday, October 29 at 8 PM. This free event includes live synth acts, a costume contest, dance-off, vendors, and bloody drinks. Learn more here.
- Looking for a low-waste way to celebrate Halloween? Check out this cute and creepy recipe from Great.full Goods.
- More Downtown Events
- Brothers Craft Brewing is bringing back By the Fire Fridays! Enjoy locally crafted music and beers by the fireside each Friday from 6 - 9 PM.
- The Apple Harvest Festival at Sage Bird Ciderworks is back and better than before on Saturday, November 5. Enjoy all things apple and press your own fruit in a vintage press. Plus, scope out the Makers Market from 11 AM - 5 PM.
- Explore More's Night at the Museum fundraiser is back in person. The gala is Friday, November 11 at 7 PM. Learn more and register here.
- The annual Deyerle Program Series on Local History returns to Massanutten Regional Library with weekly in-person events Thursdays at 7 PM during October. This year’s series focuses on topics related to Shenandoah Valley agriculture.
- The 2022 Virginia Quilt Museum benefit auction is now live. Bid on 24 colorful quilts made by Pat Sloan through November 9 here.
- Join SCCF and other local entrepreneurs on November 16 at 5 PM at Pale Fire Brewing. Grab a drink and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, creatives, developers, marketers, and other movers and shakers in your region!
- Get ready for the winter holiday with a Poinsettia Table Decoration Virtual Class hosted by the Virginia Quilt Museum on Saturday, November 12 from 1 - 4 PM. Learn more and register here.
- Now Hiring
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2022-23 Downtown Harrisonburg Annual Event Lineup:
- Veterans Day Parade – Sunday, November 6, 2022 from 2 - 3 PM
- Winter Wonderfest featuring the holiday parade and Cookie Tour – Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 12 - 6 PM
- Taste of Downtown Restaurant Month – March 2023
- Rocktown Beer & Music Festival – Saturday, April 22, 2023
- Downtown Dinner Party – Saturday, May 20, 2023
- Best.Weekend.Ever. – Saturday, June 17, 2023
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.
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