Downtown Retail to Open Late to Promote Local Shopping During the Holidays

Downtown retailers invite residents to visit downtown for all of their holiday shopping needs with over 31 retail stores to choose from.  The retailers rallied together during the most recent meeting of Merchants of Historic Downtown Harrisonburg to present a united retail front.

All of the following members will be open until at least 7pm on Fridays to give residents an opportunity to shop downtown after work.

1. Oasis
2. You Made It
3. The Yellow Button
4. Downtown Fine Furniture
5. Polished
6. James McHone Jewelers
7. Laughing Dog
8. On The Turtles Back
9. Wonder
10. Ragtime Fabrics
11. Downtown Wine & Gourmet
12. Shenandoah Bicycle Company

What better way to spend a Friday evening than to stroll through our ever expanding Downtown for Holiday shopping and then enjoy a fine meal with friends and family at one of over 25 unique and locally owned restaurants.

In this down economy shopping locally supports our Historic Downtown Community.  Buying from your neighbors means keeping your money local all while exploring the most unique gifts available.

Veterans Day Events

 

The annual Veterans Day parade in Harrisonburg has doubled in size since the previous year.  The parade is presented by the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, Dayton American Legion Post 27, the City of Harrisonburg and James Madison University. The Marching Royal Dukes from James Madison University will march in the parade and then the university will hose a rededication of Memorial Stadium Baseball/Softball Complex, at the former Harrisonburg High School.

To accommodate the growth of this event, the parade will begin at the Rockingham County Administration Building and march south down Main Street to the City Municipal Building.  Following the parade, free shuttles will chauffer any Veterans who wish to attend the dedication ceremony to and from the Municipal parking lot.

Below is a schedule of events for Sunday, November 8th:

1:15                 Parade line up at County Administration Building

2:00                 Parade begins

3:00/3:15         Memorial Stadium Dedication

 

It’s a “Matter of the Heart”

The Arts Council of the Valley proudly presents mixed media work by Sam Hunter. The show opens Friday, November 6th from 5-7pm. There will be complimentary appetizers and beverages for the public to enjoy while viewing the challenging work of this candid artist. The variety of mediums and styles not only engages the audience but also reflects the array of issues discussed in these pieces.

“Matters of the Heart” is a series of drawings and garments that discuss the delicate and complex nature of the human health condition. In May 2008, Hunter had a heart attack that disrupted her life and consequently her art. This body of work is an exploration of her heart and her ongoing health concerns. Hunter explains, “These works are about trying to understand and assimilate the new identity that my health has insisted I create.” She chose to design fabric garments, intentionally making them appear wearable. This signifies her ownership of the emotions in response to the heart attack and the resulting quality of life.

Temptations at the Theater

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance presents the second annual “Temptations at the Theater“ on Wednesday November 11 beginning at 6:30pm.  This fundraising event takes place at Court Square Theater with a dessert and wine reception followed by a modern comedy presented by The Playhouse.

Downtown restaurants provide all reception refreshments, showcasing the talents of local chefs and bakers.  With more than a dozen donating restaurants, the selections range from marbled cheesecake brownies, locally made Warfel’s truffles, Kentucky Derby tartlets and more.  This year’s menu will be enhanced with savory selections such as Indian spiced crackers and smoked salmon Gouda roll with caviar as well as gourmet coffee provided by local roaster, Lucas Roasting, Co.  Downtown Wine & Gourmet will provide wine tastings with full wine service provided by event coordinators during the reception.

Following the reception, the main event will take place at 7:30pm with a performance of Morning’s at Seven performed by The Playhouse.  This comedy was written by Paul Osborn and produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

“This is great opportunity to appreciate the many talented actors that we have in the Valley and to support Downtown at the same time,” says  HDR organization committee chair Glenda Rooney.

For reservations, call the HDR offices at 540.432.8922.  Tickets are $20 for HDR members and $25 for non-members.  All proceeds of this event go to downtown revitalization.  Additional event details are available at www.DowntownHarrisonburg.org.

Halloween Window Decoration Contest Winners

Downtown merchants decorated walls and windows with goblins, pumpkins and spider webs in preparation for Halloween on the Square.  The regular holiday window contests in downtown Harrisonburg not only add to the festive events, but also help attract customers to the local businesses.

HDR encourages business owners to update their decorations regularly, keep their windows well-lit and participate in seasonal contests such as this one. Bright and exciting windows are a great way to draw attention to a business.

A volunteer panel of judges walked through the historic district Friday afternoon to rate each window and they named the following winners:

1^st Place: Blue Ridge Florist

2^nd Place: Wonder

3^rd Place: Laughing Dog

Runners Up: Granny Longlegs, Ragtime Fabrics

Favorite Interactive Window (special last-minute category): Water Street Cafe

“The atmosphere with all of the decorated windows definitely kicks off the festivities for the Halloween weekend” said judge, Erica Kann.  Parents and trick-or-treaters are invited downtown on Halloween to see all decorated windows and trick-or-treat from 10am to 2pm.

Halloween event details available at 540-432-8935 or www.DowntownHarrisonburg.org.

FC2 Downtown Grocery Store Announces Site Location and Primary Financing

Friendly City Food Co-Op just sent an email to its members announcing a location for the downtown grocery store and that primary financing has been secured. Read the entire message and see a photo of the future site below:

HDR, City Give $16K to Beautify Downtown

he sixth year of the Downtown Façade Enhancement Grants will benefit twelve businesses.  Thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of Harrisonburg’s Department of Economic Development and the Economic Development Committee of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, these façade enhancement projects will improve the appearance of downtown as well as the value of the businesses and buildings in the district.

“These grant awards encourage significant private investment and create a domino effect in property improvement downtown,” says Eddie Bumbaugh, Executive Director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.  Recipients of the 2009 Façade Enhancement Grants include:

Local Chop and Grill House – $1,500

AC Studio Suites – $2,500

Asbury United Methodist Church – $500

Wetsel Complex, LLC     – $5,000

Virginia Quilt Museum – $400

The Yellow Button – $500

OASIS Art Gallery – $750

On the Turtle’s Back, LLC – $750

Granny Longlegs – $500

Franklin’s Café – $1500

Cat’s Cradle – $200

Arts Council of the Valley – $2000

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Façade Enhancement Grants. Twelve businesses, organizations and property owners will receive awards totaling $16,000 for exterior paint, signs, awnings and other beautification projects. These façade enhancement projects will improve the appearance of downtown as well as the value of the businesses and buildings in the district.

Now in its sixth year, the Façade Enhancement Grants are made possible through a collaborative effort between the City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. As a member-supported non-profit organization, HDR is grateful to our donors for making this program possible. Past grant awards have been used to enhance or renovate the exterior of buildings containing businesses such as Clementine, You Made It!, Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine and Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co.

Experience Halloween Downtown This Saturday!

The 6th annual Halloween on the Square sponsored by Hess Orthopaedics welcomes families downtown for a day of friendly fun this Saturday, October 31 from 10am to 2pm. Wander down Main Street on a crisp autumn day with your little goblins when downtown merchants open their doors to trick-or-treaters and Court Square is filled with fun activities!

Schedule of Events (all events free unless otherwise noted):

Punkermelon: The Pup to Beat in this Year’s Downtown Dog Costume Contest

Posted by Lisa N. Ha

I admit that living with him requires commitment. It’s a daily battle of wills, and one I don’t often win. He’s an unrepentant sloth who has no discernible hobbies outside of eating and watching the squirrels in the backyard, bathes maybe four or five times a year — and then only reluctantly — and whose idea of affection is for me to scratch his belly.

And yet, each October he emerges from his slovenly bed (where happily spends 12 hours a day or more) and takes his place among the pantheon of greats. He’s worn the wings of a decorated bomber pilot, brought home Olympic gold for his country, and championed personal fiscal responsibility years before the financial meltdown. He even has his own fan page. By the time he turns six next year, there will be no stopping him.

Make no mistake: my dog Punkermelon is the pup to beat at this year’s Digico Howl-o-ween Dog Costume Contest, to be held Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2pm on Court Square.

Civil War Orientation Center Opens in Hardesty-Higgins House

Civil War Orientation Center

Last month on September 25 the Civil War Orientation Center opened after an impressive ceremony and ribbon cutting at the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center.

Perhaps surprisingly to some, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is a treasure trove of Civil War history. A number of significant battles and events occurred within our borders, and many are memorialized with historical markers, trails, museums, living history events, and even battle re-creations. The Orientation Center is ground zero for visitors and residents wishing to explore the Valley’s role in the War Between the States. Begin by watching the documentary that’s screened for free in the center, spend some time reading the museum panels lining the walls, and finally, pick up some of the free brochures — your personal road map to the Civil War bounty awaiting your discovery.