Railroad Park Awarded $25,000 Grant

Downtown Ashland Association is proud to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to help fund construction of the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park. The Park will take the form of a walking tour and tell Ashland’s railroad story in nine exhibits. Railroad Park is a placemaking initiative to drive tourism and economic activity in downtown Ashland.

The grant brings current funds raised to $185,000—fulfilling the construction budget! Fundraising continues to meet the cost of signage on Interstate 95, which will make Railroad Park a highly visible attraction. A total of $220,000 is needed. Downtown Ashland Association asks residents and businesses who wish to support the project to visit ashlandvirginia.com/railroad for more info.

Exhibits are under construction now, and engineering has begun for site plans. Construction will begin next year in hope to open exhibits by Ashland Train Day on April 29, 2023.

Downtown Ashland, with its quaint and quirky charms, already draws visitors to stroll by the shops and restaurants along the railroad tracks and to cross over between the train station and Randolph-Macon College. Railroad Park will enhance that experience by telling the community’s story alongside the exciting evolution of American railroads. Exhibits will include the 1923 train station, a restored 1926 red caboose, the 200-foot steam train mural, major railroad inventions, and the 45 freight and passenger trains traveling the rails through the heart of downtown daily.

Railroad Park is a joint project of Downtown Ashland Association, Ashland Museum, Hanover County Black Heritage Society, and the Town of Ashland.  More than one hundred individuals and businesses have donated toward Railroad Park’s construction. Doswell Limited Partnership is its largest supporter, followed closely by the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. CSX and The Port of Virginia provided support as well.

Learn more and add your support at ashlandvirginia.com/railroad.

Community Spotlight

If you’ve visited Sports Page Grill in Downtown Ashland, you’ve probably met Susan Lovelace and Meghan True. The pair have been serving customers in the dining room for the past two years.  Lovelace says, “I love the homestyle atmosphere at Sports Page. The staff here works as a team, and we have so many regular customers.”

This duo spends six to seven days a week taking care of customers! True explains, “We do it all here. I love the fast-paced environment. We might be seating customers, waiting tables, running food, taking orders, washing dishes, or anything else that needs to be done. We like to stay busy.”

Lovelace and True would never be accused of taking it easy. Both are graduates of Patrick Henry High School, Lovelace in 2020 and True in 2021. Lovelace is near completion of her degree from Reynolds Community College, with plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University and become a dental hygienist. True begins coursework in January to become an ultrasound technician.

With big dreams and their strong work ethic, we are sure of Susan Lovelace and Meghan True’s ongoing success. Catch this dynamic duo in the dining room at Sports Page Grill while you can!

Ashland Halloween 2022

A weekend of special events and spooky fun for all ages!

Ashland Halloween invites ghouls and goblins to a four-day event series in Downtown Ashland—Friday, October 28 through Monday, October 31, 2022. Local businesses will host quaint and quirky events, while Victorian homes take on a spooky glow for the long weekend.

“We invite you to explore the mysteries of historic Downtown Ashland,” said Maggie Longest, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “It is sure to be a spooktastic Halloween weekend in the Center of the Universe!”

There are bewitching events for children and adults alike, including:

• Kids Trick-or-Treat in all Ashland neighborhoods. Plus, play the scavenger hunt for prizes!

• Adults Trick-or-Treat with a bar crawl and music concerts. Revelers are invited to crawl the streets after dark.

• Ashland Theatre hosts a series of classic spooky movies. Enjoy signature cocktails, popcorn, and snacks if you dare.

• Lantern-lit Ghost Tours offered nightly. Let the haunted stories of our town’s historic events, buildings, and personalities entertain you!

Huddle Up Concert Schedule

Fall Concert Series: Sept 9 - Nov 12

Huddle Up Sports Bar announces a fresh fall lineup of concerts and events. Popular local bands top the list, making Friday and Saturday nights in Downtown Ashland a guaranteed dance party!

The Fall Concert Series runs September 9 to November 12, 2022 with all shows beginning at 8pm. Email huddleup407@gmail.com to reserve a table. All concerts $8-10 cover charge.

Friday, September 9 — InsideOut Party Band

Saturday, September 10 — Exit 38

Friday, September 16 — Kenzie Band

Saturday, September 17 — Country line dancing

Friday, September 23 — Main Street Station

Saturday, September 24 — Double Down

Friday, September 30 — Nobody’s Poet

Saturday, October 1 — Cobalt Whiskey

Friday, October 7 — KOS Band

Saturday, October 8 — Klaxton Brown

Friday, October 14 — DJ Chad Rock

Saturday, October 15 — En’Novation

Friday, October 21 — Inside Out

Saturday, October 22 — Shades of Gray

Friday, October 28 — Flat Elvis

Saturday, October 29 — HonkyTonk Heroes

Saturday, November 5 — Mashup & Cozy Condition

Friday, November 11 — DJ Chad Rock

Saturday, November 12 — Exit 38

Refunkit Celebrates 10 Years

At Refunkit, you’ll find uncommon wall art, sculpture, home décor, jewelry, yard/garden art, candles, kitchen items, art kits, locally made food and hot sauces, cards, lighting, clothing, accessories and so much more. As one loyal customer described it, “I always find exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for.”

Originally owned by three artists who enjoyed refunking furniture, household items, lamps, mannequins and more, Refunkit has evolved into a destination shop hosting more than 80 local artists’ handmade works. This month, they are celebrating 10 years in Ashland.

Owner Wendy Doyle and Sharon Stiles, who joined the team in 2016, are a constant presence at the shop.  Doyle said, “Our hope is that everyone walking in Refunkit is delighted and inspired by the many handmade things you won’t see in other places. With so much to look at and an inventory that changes weekly, there’s always something new to experience.”

Refunkit will be celebrating their anniversary on September 23 from 5-8pm in conjunction with Ashland Fourth Fridays.  The shop will be open to visitors, plus dancing in the courtyard with DJ Sunny Girl spinning the tunes. Everyone is invited to the party!

Doyle and Stiles said, “As we celebrate 10 years of Refunkit, we want to thank our customers and artists, our families and the Town of Ashland for your constant support.”

Refunkit is located at 120 Hanover Avenue, Ashland, VA 23005 (804-822-5758). Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @refunkit or refunkit.com.