The 28th annual Harrisonburg-Rockingham African American Festival will occur in Ralph Sampson Park in Harrisonburg on Saturday.
The event will last from noon to 6 p.m. and will include food, handmade craft vendors, exhibitions and live music. The music lineup will feature DJ Smooth, Revive Worship Band and the band Soul Unlimited, among others. Admission is free for everyone.
“We have an exciting event planned with everyone in mind.” reads the festival’s website. “Perhaps you will be visiting the exhibits, mingling with the craft vendors, visiting with Community Row participants or just having a great meal from one of our many wonderful food vendors; there will be something for everyone.”
The Parks and Recreation Department of Harrisonburg partially sponsors the event, and Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Read also said she plans to attend the festival.
“The purpose of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham African American Festival is to create unity, promote family, and celebrate heritage and diversity through expressions of faith and love,” according to the city’s Parks and Recreation website.
This is the festival’s second year open after three years of shutting down due to the pandemic. It reopened in 2023. Before that, it had been held since 1993.
Other festival sponsors include the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Lakeside Book Company and Blue Ridge Insurance.
