Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and the surrounding areas are rich in culture and heritage. Now that it’s summer, that means our culture and heritage takes center stage in local events and festivals. There’s plenty to do in this neck of the woods, but here are our top 5 local festivals and events to check out this summer.

5. Sunny Slope Farm is your oyster
If you’ve never been to Sunny Slope Farm, it’s definitely a treat. Sunny Slope Farm serves as a elegant venue for weddings, reunions, and on August 5th, the Wine and Oyster Festival. You’ll get to enjoy wine and oysters while marveling at the beautiful view of Harrisonburg that Sunny Slope has to offer. There will also be artisan booths and live music to enjoy as well, so get your tickets now on the Sunny Slope Farm website at https://onsunnyslopefarm.com/.

4. This could be your jam
Dogs are man’s best friend, so who wouldn’t enjoy a festival where all the proceeds go to finding them all a home? If you’re interested, then mark your calendars for July 3rd when the local SPCA throws its Summer Jam at Massanutten Resort. There will be live music, food vendors, a fireworks display, and even a beer and wine garden. With the inclusion of a kid’s corner, the event is great for any family. If you don’t have Fourth of July plans, consider checking out the SPCA Summer Jam at https://www.rhspca.org/events.html.

3. All the musics
If you’re a music lover, then the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival is the festival for you. The festival has concerts every weekend starting July 20th and lasting until September 2nd. Music ranges anywhere from orchestral pieces, to hip hop, to bluegrass, so there’s something for everyone to listen to. Situated at an outdoor venue in Orkney Springs, it’s only about a 45-minute drive from Harrisonburg. Peek at their scheduled concerts on their website, http://musicfest.org/.

2. Cool people, cool cultures
This festival might not exactly fit on the summer list since it takes place on the last Saturday of September, but this event is too good not to include. The International Festival has been attracting more people each year to celebrate the many diverse cultures present here in Harrisonburg. This year, the International festival is growing from its usual venue at Hillendale Park to downtown Harrisonburg now expecting thousands of people. There will be food, art, and vendors, but unlike the other festivals on this list, this one is entirely free. Learn more at http://harrisonburg-international-festival.org/festival-info/.

1. To be fair…
Nothing feels quite as American or even nostalgic as the county fair. It’s a huge part of American culture, and here, locals can enjoy the Rockingham County Fair from August 13th-18th. There will be classic carnival games as well as carnival rides throughout the whole week. There’s plenty to get into with live music, tractor pulls, and even a performance from Larry the Cable Guy on the 15th. Check out their website, https://www.rockinghamcountyfair.com/.

So that concludes our top 5 local festivals this summer. Despite these 5 chosen festivals, there’s still so much more going on if even these don’t tickle your fancy. Otherwise, start getting tickets for these 5 festivals as many of them have early-bird specials to take advantage of. With the wide variety of events in the area, there’s no reason not to get involved and enjoy the summer with those in your community. Whether that includes wine tasting, live concerts, or carnival rides, make this summer enjoyable for you and the whole family.