🌱 Percheron Horses At Weyers Cave + Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby

Morning, everybody. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Harrisonburg Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Rain at times. High: 67 Low: 57.
• Tuesday: On-and-off rain and drizzle. High: 65 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories in Harrisonburg today:

1. Nearby Weyers Cave hosted a Percheron horse day this past Saturday, May 27. Percheron horses were brought to the United States from western France during the first World War, and are known for their muscular physiques and eagerness for work. On top of this past weekend's event, the Percherons are also part of an event held yearly at the Virginia State Fair. During Saturday's event, Percheron horses gave rides to staff and visitors and plowed in a demonstration. (Subscription: The News Virginian)
2. Harrisonburg's Rotary Club hosted this year's annual soap box derby. Participant Gage Becker gave an interview to WHSV and said, "It's nice to have the opportunity ... it's fun having a lot of kids that I can participate with and race, and it's like the feeling of driving down the track just makes me feel like, energized kind of." Each winner of the soap box derby is eligible for a $1,000 donation for their participation in the soap box derby world finals, planned this year in Akron, Ohio. (WHSV)
3. Bin-Shin So, a dancer and teacher based in Harrisonburg, has a remarkable journey from Taipei, Taiwan to the Shenandoah Valley, bringing years of experience and passion to the local community. After settling in Harrisonburg with her family, So became actively involved in the dance community, teaching ballet and modern dance, choreographing local musicals, and serving as a member of the Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative. Her dance education began at a young age, including training in Peking Opera and later exploring ballet and cultural exchanges between ballet and Peking Opera during her studies in Taiwan. (The Winchester Star)

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Today and tomorrow in Harrisonburg:

Monday, May 29

• Memorial Day Cookout At Sage Bird Ciderworks (11:00 AM)
• Cochren & Co. At Rockingham County Fair (6:30 PM)
• Jazz Night Jams At Three Notch'd Valley Collab House (7:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 30

• Harrisonburg Farmer's Market At Turner Pavilion (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Rockingham County School Board announced on Friday, May 26, that Larry Shifflett, current assistant superintendent of innovation and learning, will be the next superintendent of Rockingham County Public Schools. Per the board, Shifflett's contract will begin Jul. 1, and end on Jun. 30, 2026. (Daily News-Record)
• The Shenandoah County Filibuster Distillery's new bourbon whiskey is making headlines and expanding the distillery's business. CEO Sid Dilawri said, "We are distributing in 18 states and two international markets, so it just brings up a lot of responsibility now." (WHSV)
• The Augusta County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a drowning that occurred in the vicinity of Greenville, a little over 30 miles away, on Saturday, May 27. First responders arrived at Stoney Creek Resort a few minutes before 7:00 p.m. for a reported drowning. Per authorities, 20-year-old Dakota Marcus Folk had been found underwater by a Virginia State Police Search and Recovery diving team before he could be recovered and unfortunately pronounced dead shortly before 12:00 a.m. (NBC 29)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all soon for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.