HARRISONBURG VA: (ROCKTOWN NOW) – As the sun dips behind the Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia prepares for one of the most enchanting sights of the season: the Full Corn Moon. This lunar event, traditionally observed in early September, marks a pivotal moment in the agricultural calendar. Named by Native American tribes and early colonial farmers, the Corn Moon signals the time when corn and other late-summer crops are ready for harvest. In the Shenandoah Valley, where farming remains a cornerstone of life, the moon’s arrival is both practical and poetic—a glowing reminder of nature’s rhythms and with the abundant corn crop in the valley this year, certainly an approipate name for the full moon this month.

This year, the Full Corn Moon reaches its peak on Sunday, September 7, at 2:09 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. While the moon technically becomes full during daylight hours, its true visual splendor unfolds after sunset. As twilight fades, the moon rises over the valley’s ridgelines, casting a soft, silvery light across fields. Clear skies will make it easy to check out the moon, although you might want a jacket, with temperatures dropping into the 40’s overnight.

Though this particular Full Corn Moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse, the eclipse itself won’t be visible from Virginia. The moon will be below the horizon during the eclipse’s peak, making it a missed opportunity for local skywatchers. Still, the moon’s brilliance will be undiminished as it climbs into the night sky, offering a stunning view unmarred by shadow. For those in the Shenandoah Valley, the absence of the eclipse may even be a blessing—allowing uninterrupted appreciation of the moon’s full radiance.

In a region where tradition and nature intertwine, the Full Corn Moon is more than an astronomical event. It’s a seasonal milestone, a cultural echo, and a visual celebration of the valley’s enduring beauty. As the moon rises tonight, it carries with it centuries of stories, harvests, and hopes—illuminating the Shenandoah Valley in a way only the Corn Moon can.