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Hello Harrisonburg! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Rocktown Author Festival, a $3 billion industry boom, and Kitty Time + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Harrisonburg protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Celebrate local literary voices: Massanutten Regional Library’s Central branch in Harrisonburg will host the sixth annual Rocktown Author Festival on April 25, featuring 33 authors, a panel, and Story Time with Gayle C. Krause — get all the event details.
Policy shifts powering industry: Shenandoah Valley saw $3 billion in 2025 manufacturing and food growth, with Merck planning a $3 billion Elkton expansion, Buc-ee’s opening in Rockingham, and a $230 million chocolate facility announced — see what’s driving the growth.
Hundreds join community effort: The local Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser nearly hit its $72,500 goal, coming within $500. Donations are still open to support youth mentoring in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County — read the full story.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Pie break, anyone? Sweet Molly Kate’s turns out flaky, from-scratch pies that taste like grandma leveled up, with seasonal fillings and buttery crusts. Plus, there are macarons for the ride home, so dessert’s covered all week.
Fresh stems, zero fuss: Blakemore’s Flowers makes gifting simple with seasonally fresh arrangements, thoughtful custom designs, and same-day delivery across Harrisonburg. Not sure what to choose? Opt for Designer’s Choice…the florists work their magic, and you get the compliments.
Chalk up here: Got a project at Hidden Rocks or just craving that crisp shoe rubber feel? At Walkabout Outfitter, find chalk, shoes, layers, and beta-friendly staff to dial your kit without big-box vibes. Fresh tape awaits, and that sketchy, seen-better-days harness might finally get the retirement it deserves.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
📣 Developmental Disability Awareness/Acceptance Rally @ Rockingham County Courthouse, Clerk of Court Chaz W. Haywood | Wednesday (3/11) at 1:00 PM – Take a midweek pause at Court Square for a rally honoring neighbors with developmental disabilities, then a short, neighborly stroll down Main to the library. No chants required, just listening, learning, and showing up for a more inclusive, appreciative Harrisonburg. Comfortable shoes, open hearts.
🏠 Homeschool Happening! @ Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at JMU | Friday (3/13) at 12:00 AM – Fridays, the homeschool crew meets year-round for a multi-age playgroup, from toddlers to teens and the adults who keep them semi-fed. All backgrounds, all ideologies, low pressure. Drop in when it fits, expect kid energy, real conversation, and a merciful lack of worksheets.
🍦 Waffles and Ice Cream @ Smiley’s Ice Cream (Bridgewater) | Saturday (3/14) at 7:30 AM – Saturday morning calls for waffles that behave like dessert. Choose homemade regular or double chocolate chip, with a gluten-free option, then pile on whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries, mini chocolate chips, syrup, butter, and yogurt parfaits. We’ll call it balance, you call it breakfast.
☘ 5th Annual YFB Shamrock Showcase @ UREC | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Skip the errands and watch Harrisonburg turn into hoops central as YFB’s Shamrock Showcase packs JMU, EMU, and Horizons Edge with real competition, college-level shine, and smooth operations. Cameras are rolling, so perfect your bleacher face, and enjoy a tournament that sells out fast.
🐱 Kitty Time @ Aristocat Cafe + Tea House | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Got a cat-curious kid under 7? Saturday morning, this mellow meet-and-greet lets little ones visit friendly felines, score a free kid’s drink, and color to their heart’s content, while you sip, breathe, and remember what quiet feels like. Spots go fast, reserve yours.
👧 Celebrating Girls for 114 Years @ Weyers Cave Community Center | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Birthday math says 114 candles require backup, so this Girl-led bash brings founder lore, Kim’s Game, a wooden scout, and an oyster-to-pearl necklace, plus snacks. Bring a birthday party item for Food Pantry boxes, and register at theSassyDoxies.com. $12 per participant includes a patch.
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration @ Simply Natural Living by Great.full Goods | Tuesday (3/17) at 10:00 AM – Skip the packed pub and swing by a St. Paddy’s hangout with perks. Bring two jars or bags for 10% off, sip free green tea, kids crafts are $7, blankets are 20% off, and enter the Pot of Gold with a $25 spend.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Harrisonburg report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 52%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 9am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 8pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 46, with temperatures rising to around 54 overnight. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 73%
Rain showers likely before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 2 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
This house is wild
Charming Harrisonburg home close to JMU, parks, and an elementary school. A covered front porch leads to two main level bedrooms, a spacious 24×16 family room, living room with fireplace and electric insert, formal dining, and a large kitchen with laundry. Upstairs offers a third bedroom with reading nook and full bath. Rear deck overlooks a fenced backyard.
Take a peek inside →
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