Your Whistle-Stop Guide to Ashland Fourth Fridays: July 25 Edition

Ashland Fourth Fridays in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

All aboard for an unforgettable evening in the Center of the Universe! 🌍 From toe-tapping tunes and local eats to creative treats and mystery guest sightings, Ashland Fourth Fridays on July 25 from 5–8 PM at Ashland Town Hall Lawn is the perfect summer celebration for all ages. Here’s your guide to the night’s highlights—you’ll want to save this one for your pre-party planning! 🗓🎈

Hanover’s Got Talent winner Hannah Armpriester.

🎸 Let the Music Play
Kick things off at 5 PM sharp with a high-energy showcase from the talented students of Ashland Dance Academy. Tap, jazz, ballet—they’ll be bringing the moves and the sparkle to the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion stage. 💃
Then settle in for an instrumental jam session like no other, as The Blue Guitar performs from 5:15–8 PM with dynamic covers of your favorite pop, R&B, rock, and jazz hits. It’s the kind of summer soundtrack you’ll want to hum all the way home.
Stick around for a grand finale performance by Hanover’s Got Talent soaring singing winner Hannah Armpriester. 🎶🌅

🚚 Savor the Flavor
Ashland’s farm-to-fork restaurants stay packed on Fourth Fridays—and for good reason! If you’re looking for a delicious detour, stop by our visiting food trucks offering everything from crepes to Filipino cuisine and dreamy ice cream delights. 🍨🍴 Come hungry and leave with a happy heart (and a full belly).

And don’t forget to raise a glass to style—Shaken Not Spurred will be serving up marvelous mocktails and retro flair from their converted horse trailer beverage truck. ✨ It’s a sip-and-stroll experience like no other! 🍹🐎

🎨 Local Treasures & Artistic Pleasures
This is your moment to shop small and shine bright! ✨ Browse handcrafted jewelry, original artwork, woodwork, fresh flower bouquets 💐, and all the handmade magic Ashland has to offer. You'll find treasures you won't be able to resist—and won’t be able to find anywhere else.

While you shop, cool off with a complimentary water bottle from Cornerstone Church, who will be spreading kindness and hydration across the lawn. Stop by Downtown Ashland Association’s Cool Zone and mist off July heat.💧💛

🎭 Get a Little Spooky…
For those craving a little mystery, RED VEIN Escape is offering immersive escape room games just steps away from the main lawn. 🔍 Their haunted halls are also the jumping-off point for the Ashland Haunted History Tours, where you can take a spine-tingling stroll through the town’s past. 👻 It’s thrills, chills, and clues—if you dare.

📸 Star Sighting Alert!
Who’s that posing for selfies on Thompson Street? 👀 You’ll have to come see for yourself! Our mystery celebrity guest will be on hand at 110 Thompson Street for photo ops and fan fun. Strike a pose—it might just be your most iconic Fourth Friday moment yet! 🌟📷

Rantrak outside of Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys at Ashland Fourth Fridays

🚂 Tiny Trains & Painted Ponies
Stop by Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys for a double dose of delight! Outside, the incredible team from Rantrak will be running their magical model train display—a miniature world that’s sure to wow railroad lovers of all ages. Inside, young creatives can paint their own Breyer Horse model, a neigh-borhood favorite that’s sure to spark imagination. 🐴🎨

🌳 Make It a Picnic Party
Bring a blanket, round up your crew, and spend the evening surrounded by music, movement, and community. Whether you're enjoying live performances, shopping for local gems, or just lounging in the summer sun, Ashland Fourth Fridays is the place to be. 🧺🌞

See you on the lawn, July 25 from 5–8 PM!
You never know what you'll discover—but we do know it’ll be marvelous, musical, and Center of the Universe-level magical. 💫

Ashland’s Own Around The Table Nominated for 2025 BLK RVA Rising Community Impact Award

Kelly Jackson, Ammie Derricot, and the Around The Table team

Downtown Ashland Association is proud to share that Around The Table, a beloved soul food restaurant, catering business, and community gathering space in Ashland, Virginia, has been nominated for the Rising Community Impact Award at the 2025 BLK RVA Community Awards. The award, presented by Wells Fargo, recognizes emerging Black-owned businesses and initiatives that bring fresh, authentic experiences to the region—and Around The Table does just that from the heart of the Center of the Universe.

Kelly Jackson and Ammie Derricot at their restaurant Around The Table

Led by effervescent owner Ammie Derricot, Around The Table serves more than food—it serves connection. Built on the belief that “everyone has a seat at Ammie’s table,” the business offers a welcoming space for family, friendship, and celebration. Whether guests stop by for a comforting meal, book a private event, or join a Gospel Sing-Along on the fourth Sunday of the month, they experience the warmth and community spirit that defines this Ashland gem.

After 27 years in the culinary field, Ammie launched Ammie’s Catering in 2016 with the hope of one day opening a restaurant. In 2021, she and her cousin Kelly Jackson brought that dream to life with Around The Table. The two combined Ammie’s culinary talent and Kelly’s business savvy to create a place that feels like home for locals and visitors alike.

Their work has not gone unnoticed. In addition to being nominated for the 2025 BLK RVA Rising Community Impact Award, Around The Table has been featured internationally on YouTube’s The Brits Try and in The Parisian Sunday, highlighting their growing culinary influence well beyond Ashland’s borders.

Support Our Neighbor

Voting for the Rooted and Rising Community Impact Awards is open now through July 25, 2025, and Around The Table needs our daily support to advance to the final round. Let’s show the region what Ashland is made of by voting each day and sharing the link with friends and family:

The top three finalists will be announced on August 4, and winners will be celebrated at the BLK RVA Community Awards Ceremony.

Celebrate In Person

Ashland neighbors are invited to attend the awards ceremony on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Richmond’s historic Hippodrome Theater. This exciting evening includes a reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres and networking, followed by the awards program honoring those who embody the BLK RVA mission.

• Date: Friday, August 22, 2025

• Time: 6:00 PM Reception | 7:00 PM Awards Program

• Location: The Hippodrome Theater, 528 N 2nd St, Richmond, VA

• Attire: Cocktail attire (sneakers welcome)

• Parking: Complimentary with code HOTS at select Parkway Parking lots

Early Bird Tickets (through July 31): $69
General Admission (starting August 1): $89
Get your tickets here.

Let’s show up for Around The Table the way they consistently show up for the community—by voting daily and cheering them on from the audience as they represent Ashland with heart, hospitality, and homegrown pride.

Community showing up at Around The Table’s expansion

K101.2’s Happy Hour Vibes Adds Star Power to Monthly Mocktail Show

Barry, Karie, and Lou on K101.2 Happy Hour Vibes

The drinks are booze-free, but the vibes are bold! K101.2 Pop Richmond’s Happy Hour Vibes is redefining what a networking event can be — blending gourmet bites, signature mocktails, and sparkling conversation with the kind of exposure most organizations only dream about. Now hosted by a dynamic four-person panel — Barry Farmer, Karie Brooks, Chef Gianna Stanley, and Lou Keeton — this monthly live-recorded experience is serving up local flavor in every sense of the word.

What started as a creative twist on happy hour has grown into a full-on, multi-platform media moment. With live studio recordings, podcast streaming, YouTube releases, and social crossposting, Happy Hour Vibes offers businesses, nonprofits, and community organizers a rare trifecta: real-life connection, broadcast storytelling, and digital visibility — all in one night.

Chef Gianna Stanley

“Happy Hour Vibes brings the best of a community networking event to the airwaves,” says Lou Keeton, who joins the panel on behalf of the Downtown Ashland Association. “Most small-town organizations wouldn’t be able to afford an exclusive media experience like this. But here, they’re not only networking over Shaken Not Spurred gourmet grilled sandwiches and custom mocktails — they’re reaching over 1.3 million listeners with a feature-rich appearance they can keep sharing long after the night is over.”

Joining Lou is celebrated chef Gianna Stanley, who adds flavor and flair to the show with recipes and real-life kitchen wisdom. “As a professional chef, one of my greatest joys in life is sharing my knowledge to make your time in the kitchen simple and fun,” Stanley says. “I am thrilled at the opportunity to walk guests through my favorite recipes and teach tips and tricks that anyone can use.”

Rounding out the team are Karie Brooks of Shaken Not Spurred — whose Bit + Bougee mocktails headline each recording — and Barry Farmer, founder of Farmer Company Media, who brings humor, warmth, and deep storytelling chops to the mic. Together, this hosting crew delivers an unmatched blend of professional media, neighborly charm, and playful interaction. With segments that include “get-to-know-you” mocktail games and audience shoutouts, every guest becomes part of the show’s rhythm — and part of the Happy Hour Vibe.

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Shaken Not Spurred gourmet grilled sandwiches and mocktails

Be Part of the Vibe

For just $75, local leaders and business owners can grab one of 15 exclusive tickets to attend the live networking and recording party. Guests will enjoy handcrafted mocktails and gourmet bites, record a 30-second pitch about their organization, and play lively networking games with the hosts — all captured in a full hour-long episode to be aired on K101.2 Pop Richmond and published on podcast platforms, YouTube, and social media. The experience is fun, interactive, and designed to leave guests with a lasting piece of content they can proudly share again and again.

Can’t make it in person? For $50, organizations can still be part of the show by submitting a 30-second spot to be read by a Happy Hour Vibes host during the recording — a perfect way to amplify your message without stepping up to the mic.

With its one-of-a-kind format and massive reach, Happy Hour Vibes is quickly becoming one of the most cost-effective and memorable ways to introduce your business or cause to a broad and engaged audience.

🎟 Reserve your ticket: www.payit2.com/event/116388
📝 Submit a spot for reading: checkout.square.site
💼 Ready to sip on serious visibility?
Become a Happy Hour Vibes Signature Sponsor and get your brand featured in every episode, across all content, and help local leaders access this unique networking opportunity—plus enjoy Downtown Ashland Association corporate sponsorship benefits.
👉 Become a Signature Sponsor

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Karie, Barry, and Lou on K101.2 Happy Hour Vibes

Mark Your Calendar

The first Happy Hour Vibes Recording + Networking Party kicks off:
🗓 Monday, July 28 at 6 PM
📍  Farmer Company Media Studios, 1913 Huguenot Rd, Suite 300, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
🎙 New episodes will be recorded every third Monday of the month

So come hungry, come curious, and come ready to shine. Whether you're tuning in or taking the mic, Happy Hour Vibes is where Ashland’s tastemakers, change-makers, and storytellers come to sip, connect, and be heard.

Deadline Extended for the Ashland Song Contest

Art takes time—and great songs often take just a little more. That’s why Downtown Ashland Association and acclaimed music producers Free Jambalaya are harmonizing with consuming creative schedules. The deadline for the Ashland Song Contest has been extended from July 27 to Sunday, August 10, inviting musicians of all ages and genres to find their muse in Ashland, Virginia, and turn that inspiration into song.

The Ashland Song Contest is only in its second season, but music has always been part of Ashland’s heartbeat. From the rhythm of trains echoing through town to the melodies spilling out from front porches and open windows, creativity lives in every corner of the Center of the Universe. Local events like Ashland Fourth Fridays offer a perfect excuse to soak it all in every fourth Friday through August. Live music under the stars, the laughter of neighbors shopping on the Town Hall Lawn, the scent of something delicious drifting from a downtown kitchen or farm-to-fork food truck. It’s not just atmosphere. It’s fuel for your next great lyric.

“There’s something about Ashland that brings out every genre,” says Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director “Coach” Antonio Miller. “Last year, we heard hip-hop, folk, gospel, and indie rock all telling their version of Ashland’s story. From Mauice Taylor’s ‘Train Reaction’ to Aidan Hamilton’s ‘Ashes & Dirt,’ each track from Songs from the Center of the Universe showed us how this town speaks to people in different ways.”

The first season of the Ashland Song Contest ended with a standing ovation—and a star. Thirteen-year-old Ginny Ray stole hearts with her original song “You Already Know,” earning a professional recording session, airplay on K101.2 POP’s nationally syndicated Barry Farmer Morning Show with Sharron Lizzy, and a chance to perform at Ashland’s signature events. Now, the stage is set once again.

Entries are open at AshlandFourthFridays.com, and the winner will be announced live at Ashland Fourth Fridays on August 22 at the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion. One song will get the grand prize, but every qualified Ashland-themed submission becomes part of Songs from the Center of the Universe volume 2 - and the town’s growing musical legacy.

If you’ve ever felt Ashland’s charm tug at your creativity—or if the Center of the Universe has a hold on your heart—this is your chance to sing it out in the Ashland Song Contest.

Ashland’s July 4th Parade & Celebration

Hanover Arts and Activities Center motorized Fourth of July Parade

Our small town still celebrates the Fourth the old-fashioned way—with basset hounds, lawn chairs, and just the right amount of apple pie.

Step into a simpler time this Independence Day as Ashland throws a hometown celebration straight from a Norman Rockwell painting—with a few modern sprinkles on top (VIP seating, anyone?). From non-motorized parades to patriotic pets, here’s your all-American itinerary for July 4th in the Center of the Universe.

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🗓️ Ashland’s July 4th Parade & Celebration

📍 Hanover Arts and Activities Center
🕚 Thursday, July 4 · 11 AM–2 PM

It’s giving... red, white, and awe yeah.

📚 9 AM–2 PM – Friends of the Library Book Sale

Friends of the Library Book Sale in the Ashland Branch Library

Thousands of gently loved books, CDs, DVDs, and more—some nearly new, others practically antiques. Proceeds support the Ashland Branch Library!
💚 Pro tip: Swing by closer to 2 PM and snag a whole bag o’ books for just $5.

🥧 9:30–10:30 AM – Apple Pie Drop-Off

Got a crusty creation to enter? Deliver your deliciously patriotic pies to the Hanover Arts tent. Sponsored by our sweethearts at @bravobakeshop!
🥇 Prizes include Best Overall, Most Patriotic, Best Kid’s Pie (under 11), and more. Winning pies will be auctioned to benefit Hanover Arts—so bring your wallet and your appetite!

🎉 10:30 AM – Parade Line-Up at Henry Clay Elementary

Hanover Arts and Activities Center July 4th Parade

🎺 11:00 AM – Parade Steps Off!
The parade marches from Hanover Ave straight into the Center, featuring:

• 🚲 Patriotic Bikes & Pets

• 🐶 Basset Hounds Galore

• 🎷 The Cacophony of the Universe Marching Band

• 💺 The Famous Lawn Chair Brigade

• ✨ And YOU! (Sign up here to join in!)

All brigades must be family-friendly and festively patriotic—no politics, no handouts, just star-spangled fun.

All-American Apple Pie Baking Contest

👩‍🍳 11–12 PM – Apple Pie Judging

📍 Hanover Arts and Activities Center

🐾 11:30 AM – Pet Costume Contest Check-In

📍 Pet Comfort Station on Cox Lane
Dress your four-legged friends in their most flag-waving finery—judging begins at 12 PM, and winners walk away with prizes from Fin & Feather Pet Store!

🇺🇸 11:45 AM – Presentation of Colors & Patriotic Concert

Ashland July 4 Old Time Lawn Games

Let freedom ring! The Hanover Concert Band brings the brass for a heartwarming lawn concert you won’t want to miss.

🍔 12:00 PM – Lawn Party Begins!

Classic games, sizzling food, and hometown hospitality in full swing.

🥧 12:30 PM – Pie & Pet Winners Announced

Winning pies are auctioned off to support the Hanover Arts and Activities Center (bring your checkbooks and your sweet tooth).

🌞 VIP Access: Comfort is Your Independence Day Right!

Hanover Arts members enjoy shaded seating, cozy chairs, and sweet treats inside the VIP retreat. It’s the cool side of July 4th.

🎟️ Become a Sustaining Member and enjoy VIP access to July 4th, Train Day, Off the Rails, and more!
Sustaining Memberships are affordable, meaningful, and monthly—so you can give freedom and festivals to future generations. 👉 Join the movement here and keep the heart of Ashland beating strong.

📣 So gather your red-white-and-true crew, grab your sun hats and sparklers, and spend July 4th the Ashland way—with music on the lawn, pie in your hand, and patriotic pets underfoot.

Because nothing says freedom like a basset hound in a bandana and a homemade pie cooling by the tracks. 🇺🇸🥧🐾

Hanover Concert Band plays outside the Hanover Arts and Activities Center during the Ashland Jul4 Celebration and Parade