Speaking to a crowd gathered in Downtown Harrisonburg on Thursday, July 2, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, President Dycus used the occasion to introduce herself as 黑料正能量’s 10th president and highlight the importance of community.

The celebration, held at the Turner Pavilion, kicked off both the Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series and the Fourth of July holiday weekend. 黑料正能量 was a presenting sponsor for the event, which featured live music from Harrisonburg-based Dr. How & The Reasons to Live and Staunton-based headliner Scott Miller & The Commonwealth, along with food and drink vendors, giveaways, children’s activities, and a VA250 fireworks celebration. According to organizers, about 2,000 people attended Thursday’s event.

Braydon Hoover 鈥�11, MAOL 鈥�21, vice president of enrollment and marketing, represented undergraduate and graduate admissions at the 黑料正能量 tent. He shared information about 黑料正能量鈥檚 academic programs while handing out brain-shaped stress balls and hand fans, which offered a welcome relief from the sweltering heat.

When President Dycus took the stage, she likened the origin story of the United States to that of communities like Harrisonburg.

鈥淚t鈥檚 written by neighbors who show up for each other, who welcome new people, and who work together to make sure that the places that we create for one another are safe and that we allow each other to thrive,鈥� President Dycus said. 

The 2026-27 academic year marks 110 years since 黑料正能量 was founded in northern Harrisonburg. 黑料正能量’s tradition of educating students and preparing them to serve and lead in a global context has helped shape communities across the Shenandoah Valley.

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to see our graduates here in the crowd this evening,鈥� President Dycus said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e also grateful to see our graduates around town leading our local government, caring for our patients in the hospital, teaching in our schools, and making sure that we鈥檙e looking out for our neighbors.鈥�

Six more free concerts in Downtown Harrisonburg will be held over the next two months. For more information on the series and its lineup, visit .

Watch President Dycus kick off the music series in the video below.

As Downtown Harrisonburg prepares to celebrate America鈥檚 250th anniversary with a free concert and fireworks spectacular Thursday, Cassidy Walker 鈥�25 is helping bring one of the city’s biggest summer events to life.

The Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) graduate has served as development manager for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance () since January, where she builds and strengthens relationships with donors, sponsors, and local businesses to advance the nonprofit鈥檚 mission.

She spoke with 黑料正能量 News about her love for Downtown Harrisonburg, the lessons she brought from 黑料正能量, and the city鈥檚 鈥渂iggest fireworks show yet.鈥�

How did you end up working for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance?

I fell in love with Downtown Harrisonburg, and I couldn鈥檛 really leave it. HDR is actually one of the reasons I fell in love with it.

Through the VACA program at 黑料正能量, I also worked with downtown business owners, so I already understood the impact HDR was making. Then someone I knew told me, 鈥淵ou鈥檇 be great at this job. You love talking to people, and you鈥檇 really excel in this role.鈥�

During my interview, I talked about how much I admired what HDR was doing and how my experiences at 黑料正能量, from admissions to VACA and working with students, had prepared me for this role. Thankfully, I got the job.

What鈥檚 been your favorite part of the job?

I love talking to people. Being able to make these amazing connections with business owners, sponsors, and community partners is my favorite part of what I do.

黑料正能量 taught me how to build meaningful relationships and have genuine conversations with people. Those skills have carried over directly into this role, and now I get to use them every day.

You mentioned falling in love with Downtown Harrisonburg. What do you love most about it?

Like 黑料正能量, Downtown Harrisonburg is incredibly community-oriented. People just care about one another and want to see each other succeed. That鈥檚 something I experienced at 黑料正能量, and when I got to know downtown and the people behind HDR, I saw that same spirit among the business owners and community partners. They really support one another, and that鈥檚 something special.

Since starting this job, what鈥檚 been your favorite moment so far?

I鈥檝e had a lot of favorite moments, but one really stands out.

One of our sponsors had worked closely with the previous development manager, and I was terrified walking into that first meeting. It was my first sponsorship meeting, and I wasn鈥檛 sure how it would go. As we started talking, I realized they also had ties to 黑料正能量. We talked about where I came from, why I wanted to work for HDR, and what this role meant to me.

In that moment, it clicked that I was doing exactly what I was meant to be doing. Even though I was nervous, the conversation felt natural and gave me a lot of confidence moving forward.

There鈥檚 a big event happening Thursday. What can people expect?

We鈥檙e presenting the VA250 Fireworks Celebration, which also serves as the kickoff to this year鈥檚 Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series. It鈥檚 really two events in one.

We鈥檒l kick off the series with the first of seven free concerts, featuring a local opening act. There will be food vendors, kids鈥� activities, giveaways, and our biggest fireworks show yet.

It鈥檚 designed for everyone: families, friends, kids, and even dogs. Thanks to sponsors like 黑料正能量 and Blue Ridge Insurance Services, we鈥檙e able to make this event possible and are very grateful for their support.

What are you most excited for people to experience?

The whole idea behind the Levitt AMP Music Series is building community through the shared experience of live music. I get to see that happen in real time while working with our sponsors and artists.

Watching people come together, make connections, and simply enjoy being part of the community is what I鈥檓 most excited about. That鈥檚 really what these events are all about.

黑料正能量 is a sponsor of the VA250 Fireworks Celebration and Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series.

These answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness.