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.

---

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

---

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.

---

🗓️ 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

Downtown Ashland Cleans Up at the Heart of Hanover Awards

We always say Downtown Ashland is where community and creativity meet—and now it’s official! The Heart of Hanover Business Awards have crowned their first-ever winners, and our Downtown Ashland sponsors, supporters, and neighbors swept the honors!

This brand-new tradition celebrates the entrepreneurs, visionaries, and local champions who make Hanover County shine. Even better? These awards were entirely community-driven—nominated and voted on by the public, making each win a true reflection of local love and pride.

We’re thrilled to share that five of Downtown Ashland Association’s dedicated supporters took home top honors:

🏆 Destination Business of the Year: Ashland Theatre
A beloved anchor in the heart of our town, Ashland Theatre is more than a venue—it’s a community hub. Whether hosting DAA signature events like the Center Street Pitch Competition and Demystifying AI, or running our sponsor slides before films, the Theatre is always down to collaborate, educate, and inspire.
🎬 ashlandtheatre.org

🏆 Health & Wellness Business of the Year: Root Modern Dentistry
Modern smiles meet hometown charm at Root Modern Dentistry. You’ll spot their team out supporting Ashland Train Day and keeping our community connected through fresh social content and personalized care.
🦷 dentistashlandva.com

🏆 Manufacturer of the Coolest Thing Made in Hanover County: Center of the Universe Brewing Company
Cheers to Center of the Universe Brewing Co., longtime supporters of Ashland Saturday Soundtracks, the Ashland Song Contest, and the beautiful beers that bring our events together.
🍻 cotubrewing.com

🏆 Restaurant of the Year: The Caboose Market & Café
From fueling volunteers with coffee on Ashland Train Day to pouring the bubbly at the Toast of Downtown and New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, The Caboose is a go-to gathering place for food, friendship, and celebration.
🍷 cabooseashland.com

🏆 Retail Business of the Year: Refunkit
It’s no surprise Refunkit captured this award—this vibrant shop is a cornerstone of Ashland’s creative economy. With ever-changing inventory, locally made art, and late hours during Ashland Fourth Fridays, Refunkit has built a loyal following and stands as a proud supporter of Ashland artists and events all year long.
🛍️ refunkit.com

At Downtown Ashland Association, we’re endlessly grateful for these businesses and all our partners who uplift the Center of the Universe year-round. Their generosity, innovation, and neighborly spirit help make Ashland a magnetic place to visit—and an even better place to call home.

To all the nominees and winners: you are the heartbeat of Hanover County. Thank you for building businesses with passion, purpose, and people in mind.

🎉 A huge thanks to the sponsors who made the Heart of Hanover Awards possible:
Title Sponsor: Hanover County Economic Development Authority
Heartbeat Sponsor: Luck Companies
And special thanks to our friends at the Richmond Times-Dispatch for sharing the love far and wide.

👏 Shout-out to Hanover County Government, the Town of Ashland, Hanover Chamber of Commerce, Hanover Education Foundation, and of course, YOU for nominating, voting, and showing up for local businesses.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Visit these award-winners, shop local, and share your support. Here’s to a future full of thriving businesses and celebrations right here in Downtown Ashland.