HARRISONBURG DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE

Hdr produces free public events to build community, enhance quality of life for residents, attract tourists, boost foot traffic and exposure for small businesses, generate tax revenue and sales at businesses, and strengthen community pride and cohesion through togetherness. Annual events include downtown happy hour, a charcueterie board workshop, bestweekendever, independence day fireworks, block party in the burg, skeleton fest, veterans parade, and winter wonderfest. We also hosted 10 free community concerts thanks to a $30,000 grant from the levitt foundation and sponsor support. The first concert in july was paired with independence day fireworks. We strive to make our events welcoming to all by selecting bands that represent diverse musical genres and cultures and by translating our event posters into multiple languages. We hosted our first low-sensory programming during skeletonfest with special trick or treating and activities in calm spaces so all families could attend. Bestweekendever saw more than 4000 additional attendees than in past years and featured a downtown wide putt putt course. Our outdoor street festivals encouraged participants to circulate throughout the downtown to discover businesses to support during the event and to visit on return visits and to enjoy free entertainment in the heart of the community. Total attendance for hdr's 25 events this year exceeded 97,000 people. Our events were supported by volunteers who contributed over 7,200 hours, which has a market value of $241,000.