The third annual Royals Go Downtown event took place on Sept. 26, bringing together an enthusiastic crowd despite the gloomy weather. Fortunately, the rain held off, and approximately 270 participants gathered at Magpie’s Diner for a brief speech from EMU President Susan Shultz Huxman before embarking on their culinary adventure in the downtown area.
Student guides led groups through the vibrant streets of Harrisonburg, where attendees sampled free food from local small businesses, including favorites owned by EMU alumni. Some of the most notable stops included Billy Jack’s, Mashita, and the Aristocat Cafe. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively as students got to interact with the businesses around them. Everyone they met along the way was incredibly welcoming, really driving home that Harrisonburg is a place where locals and those brand new to the city can feel at home.
The event also featured some members of the EMU band playing music in the square. Their energy was incredibly enthusiastic and really set the tone for the evening. They played for most of the evening, wowing the groups that passed through. Nate Leidy, a first-year participant in the event shared, “the music diversity with the instruments kept the feeling fun and exciting.” Leidy’s words seemed to ring true as the variety of the instruments not only displayed its individual member’s talents but also created an upbeat soundscape for the students who stopped to listen and observe.
The tour came to an end at the Turner Pavilion, where students enjoyed music, danced, and socialized over pizza and Kline’s ice cream. Some food highlights of the event included the mango lassi and Billy Jack’s chicken, both of which seemed to be the fan favorites from the evening.
This event not only helped students familiarize themselves with the local area but also showcased some of the hidden gems throughout downtown Harrisonburg. While the city has a decent amount of amazing restaurants and small businesses, they can be easy to overlook if you’re new to the area. Aside from the delicious food and the amazing atmosphere, Royals Go Downtown also helped students gain a stronger sense of community and connection to the local area. As the evening progressed, it became abundantly clear that the event was not only about sampling free food, but also cultivating relationships with not only the community around us, but our peers as well.
