Community Calendar

What does 1776 mean to us in 2026? That’s the question historians Frank Cogliano, Nadine Zimmerli, and Nick Guyatt discuss in Highland’s final 250 Book Series program on September 23rd from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. You won’t want to miss perspectives on some of the pressing issues that these and other contributors address in the essay collection The American Revolution at 250: Twenty-Four Historians Reflect on the Founding. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is requested using the link on our website.

Presented by Rocktown History, Fort Harrison, and the Virginia Quilt Museum at Silver Lake Mill, the Heirloom Markets take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, June through September, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The markets include locally grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, artisan-made goods, baked items, food vendors, and demonstrations related to Shenandoah Valley history and traditions.

All three locations will be open on each date with unique vendors at each:

Fort Harrison
335 S. Main St., Dayton

Virginia Quilt Museum at Silver Lake Mill
2328 Silver Lake Rd., Dayton

Rocktown History
382 High St., Dayton

Visitors may attend at all three sites during the event. More information, including market dates and vendors, is available at rocktownhistory.org/heirloommarkets or by emailing info@HeirloomMarketsDaytonVA.org.

Join us on Friday, September 25, 2026, at On Sunny Slope Farm for an inspiring evening celebrating the power of human potential and community transformation.

The Awaken Human Brilliance Gala is more than a fundraiser—it is a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and dignity that exists within every person. At Our Community Place, we believe that by awakening human brilliance, individuals can become their best selves, and when individuals thrive, communities thrive.

Guests will enjoy an evening of fellowship, delicious food, moving stories of hope and transformation, and opportunities to invest in life-changing programs that provide housing support, nutritious meals, employment pathways, and meaningful connections for our neighbors facing adversity.

Whether you attend, sponsor, or invite others to join you, your support helps create a community where every person is valued and given the opportunity to flourish.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Partner with us as we celebrate the brilliance within every individual and build a stronger, more compassionate Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Save the date and join us for an unforgettable evening of hope, dignity, and community.

The Studio Big Band (Matthew Niess, director) celebrates the timeless music and unmistakable swing of Count Basie. From blues-driven grooves to explosive shout choruses, this concert highlights the elegance, power and rhythmic drive that made the Basie Orchestra one of the most influential big bands in jazz history. Enjoy an evening of classic swing, soulful solos and the enduring sound of Basie.

Come join us for our sixth John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival. This music and cultural heritage festival honors Woodville Virginia native John Jackson, recipient of the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award in 1986. There will be live music all day as well as historical displays. Enjoy a day of great music, family and friends in beautiful Rappahannock County.

Scheduled to perform, final order TBD:
Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo
Frank Fotusky
Joe Herrmann
The Piedmonsters
Junior Appalachian Musicians
Bobby G and The Heavies
Mike Parker
Aristotle Jones

Named 'Best Group/Duo’ by the International Acoustic Music Awards, Ryanhood has spent more than 20 years engaging crowds with highly energetic, powerfully genuine performances. Having shared stages with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, Lifehouse and many more, Ryanhood's sound threads folk, rock and pop together with virtuosic guitar work and inquisitive lyrics.

Now in its fifth year, Beats on the Bend has become an annual tradition bringing people together to celebrate the natural beauty of Seven Bends State Park. The event encourages people of all ages to experience the park and discover opportunities for recreation, volunteerism, stewardship, and community engagement. This year’s event will celebrate National Public Lands Day, an annual observance recognizing the importance of America’s public lands and the people who enjoy, protect, and care for them.

In addition to live music from Taylor LaFever and the Fever Project, attendees can enjoy food and refreshments from local vendors, including Rutz BBQ and Sugar Creek Snowy & Sweet Ice Cream.

Visitors will also have opportunities to learn more about the Friends of Seven Bends State Park and its work supporting the park.

Start your day with a hike before the music! Register for a hike here

The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale is an annual, all volunteer event that raises money for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The 2 day event includes an auction of quilts, woodwork, handmade items, and more. A wide variety of homemade food is also a highlight for many people.

Award winning singer-songwriter Danny Schmidt returns to the Grill! Come join us for an amazing up close show full of soul & storytelling!

Named to the Chicago Tribune’s list of the “50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt has amassed a cult following for his poetic, poignant lyrics. With a craftsmanship and emotional depth drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt, Schmidt is considered a preeminent writer. Sing Out Magazine proclaimed that: “Schmidt is a force of nature: a blue moon, a hundred-year flood, an avalanche of a singer-songwriter. His songs are a flood of poetry, mythology, folk wisdom, and surprise. He is perhaps the best new songwriter we’ve heard in the last 15 years.”

Sandwiches and Down Home Plates Available!

Opening Act: Rachel Austin