Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park is Chugging Along

This summer, Downtown Ashland Association will break ground on a self-guided walking tour! The Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park will include nine stops, beginning at Ashland Train Station and continuing to railroad attractions like the red caboose, steam train mural, and many more. The tour will stretch one mile from the tracks, along England Street, to Pufferbelly Park.

We cannot wait to share the stories of Ashland’s railroad heritage and our place in the national railroad scene with residents and visitors alike! In the meantime, here’s info on how the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park keeps chugging along…

Inspiration
In an effort to spur local business by increasing foot traffic along downtown sidewalks, Downtown Ashland Association’s Board of Directors dreamed up a self-guided walking tour for visitors to discover our historic train town. They envisioned a series of small parks to be educational and entertaining while highlighting Ashland’s rich railroad history. Nine exhibits will be located within easy walking distance of each other, free to the public year-round, and include interactive elements with a website and mobile app to enhance the tour.

Input
Downtown Ashland Association put the idea to the test in 2019 by holding public input sessions and an online survey. Ashland residents were overwhelmingly in support of building the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park as a placemaking feature to tell Ashland’s story. The Association gathered valuable ideas for interpretive content, locations, and design.

Approval
Following public input, Downtown Ashland Association presented a proposal for the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park to the Town of Ashland. It was unanimously approved by Town Council in 2020. Once the park is constructed in the summer of 2023, the town will take on ownership and maintenance of the nine sites.

Volunteers
Building a public park is a group effort! Volunteers worked diligently for years to fundraise and plan for the park. Thanks to their efforts, more than one hundred individuals and businesses have donated toward the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park’s construction. Doswell Limited Partnership is its largest supporter, followed closely by the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, CSX, and The Port of Virginia provided support as well.

Collaboration
Creating the interpretive content of each exhibit was a joint project of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society, Ashland Museum, and Downtown Ashland Association. We have designed exhibits on major railroad inventions and innovations, railroad workers, technological advances, and their impacts on our local community.

Construction
Our local team is bringing the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park from idea to reality! Landscaping has been generously donated by James River Nurseries of Ashland. Engineering was contracted from Timmons Group. Construction plans are being prepared by Stable Foundations LLC of Ashland. Nine kiosks were fabricated by Randy Jackson of Steel Standing in Hanover Air Park. The Town of Ashland provides oversight throughout the process.

Breaking Ground
After years of planning and effort, the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park is breaking ground in August of 2023. Sites include the 1923 train station, Tinder Guest House’s restored 1926 red caboose, a wheel truck, a Janney coupler, and America’s longest railroad mural.

Launch
Stay tuned on our website, Facebook and Instagram to join the October ribbon cutting ceremony and community celebration.

Top 5 Ashland Theatre 75th Anniversary Events

Ashland Theatre has been a beacon for cinema and entertainment in the Center of The Universe since 1948. 75 years later, they’re rolling out the red carpet to celebrate with prizes, snacks, and 75¢ films. Fast forward to the fun with these top-five anniversary events:

🍿 Open House - August 10th at 10 AM, the classic movie house has 75¢ popcorn, door prizes, and surprises. Get your tickets here.

🎀 Ribbon Tying Ceremony - 11 AM that day, the Hanover County Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Ashland Theatre on 75 years.

🐰 75¢ Looney Tunes - What’s up, doc? That rascally rabbit returns to the silver screen at 1 PM on August 10 with cartoon shorts from the Ashland Theatre’s founding year - 1948. Get your tickets here.

🤠 75¢ Red River - Take ‘er easy there, Pilgrim! You can watch John Wayne’s 1948 western hit for just 75¢ on August 10 at 7 PM. Get your tickets here.

🎞️ 1948 Films - Once a month on Monday nights, the Ashland Theatre will show the top films from 1948 for - you guessed it - 75¢! Find the full list of shows here.

Taste of Ashland Tickets Now on Sale

On Thursday, September 7, Downtown Ashland chefs will showcase their farm-to-table faire for 100 lucky guests and local food critics. Diners will sample Ashland’s culinary scene when selecting four tasting plates and two drinks from the Center of the Universe beer or The Vines wine.

The “Taste of Ashland” chef showcase will challenge local legends from The Caboose Market & Cafe, Jake's Place Restaurant & Market, Ashland Meat Company, Homemades by Suzanne, and Sports Page Bar & Grill to utilize locally-farmed foods as inspiration for their dishes.

Chef Jeremy from The Caboose feels confident in the ingredients on his plate: “Our menu is 90% local food. Seeing the effort local farmers put into their products is motivation for me to match their effort. The quality is so high, the food speaks for itself.”

All proceeds benefit Downtown Ashland Association’s free community events: Ashland Train Day, Ashland Halloween, Light Up the Tracks, and Ashland Fourth Fridays. A limited number of tickets are available to the Taste of Ashland. Secure your serving on September 7 from 7 - 9 PM at The Depot by purchasing tickets below.

Spoken Word Hip-Hop takes the Ashland Fourth Fridays Stage

Award-winning artist Zbey tha Poet has felt a connection to the Center of the Universe ever since recording with Free Jambalaya at Slipped Disc Recording Studio in Downtown Ashland. Now, the spoken word hip-hop artist aims to amp up Ashland Fourth Fridays on July 28.

“As an artist, I feel it is my obligation to share uplifting messages with audiences by designing works of art through words and sound,” Zbey tells Downtown Ashland Association. “I’m motivated to share my gift and inspire others to do the same.” Zbey’s empowering tunes have been featured by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ 2021 Community Makers and YWCA’s Outstanding Women Awards. She is going to be featured in Ashland Fourth Fridays next.

Zbey Tha Poet recording with Matt Treacy of Free Jambalaya

“Working with Free Jambalaya Studios as an independent recording artist brought me to Ashland,” says Zbey. “As a community advocate, I’m looking to connect with the people of Ashland to build community through artistic expression.” 

Zbey has already connected with Ashland Fourth Fridays as a vendor. In May, she showcased the grassroots non-profit Community 50/50 with t-shirts, giveaways, and affirmations. Guests were encouraged to write down their positive “I Am” statements on a board which would be taken to other events with hopes the messages encourage positive self-talk. “Affirmations are one of the things we encourage at Community 50/50,” says Zbey. “Affirmations reprogram negativity out of your mind, out of your thinking, and just lift your spirits.”

Zbey plans to lift spirits as Ashland Fourth Fridays live entertainment next. On Friday, July 28 she will perform spoken word hip-hop at the Ashland Town Hall pavilion from 5-8pm with Free Jambalaya’s Matt Treacy. “I’m excited to connect with the audience and to use my art to touch other human beings,” smiles Zbey. “The feedback I receive from families, teens, and elders in the community is all the motivation I need to keep writing and performing.”

Behind the Music with Center Street Sound Company

There is one GOOD thing that came out of COVID. Center Street Sound Company got their whole family together to bring beats to the Center of the Universe–and the party hasn’t stopped since. Co-owner Tim Robinson goes behind the music in this exclusive interview with Downtown Ashland Association.

DAA: Thanks for joining us today, Tim! To start us off, tell us how Center Street Sound Company came to be.
TIM: Center Street Sound is certainly a product of COVID. Quarantine was a time of reflection for Cristy and I with long hours to ponder our goals in life and how free time would be spent once the world opened back up. Ultimately, we decided on a venture that would lead to adventures and allow music to be a much larger part of our family. We hope to be leaders in our community and leverage what we think to be natural talents. Basically, there is a desire to help people make their events incredible, immerse ourselves in the music culture, and create opportunities for our kids’ futures.   

DAA: The future certainly looks bright! Still, you’ve already had an impressive history. Can you say more on your legacy so far?

TIM: Following the encouragement and support of friends, we launched our brand in 2021. Prior to that I often found myself running sound for bands or local events with Cristy as a backbone bringing skills in finance, logistics, and planning. Music is a huge part of my life and it just made sense to do something more official that supports our passions and expands our boundaries.  To date, we have been rehired for every single gig we have supported. We are excited folks keep asking us to come back.

DAA: Including us! Center Street Sound Co generously provides the sound for Light Up the Tracks, and we can’t wait to have you back on Saturday, November 18, 2023. What do you enjoy about this work?

TIM: Every time an event hits a crescendo and it sounds larger than life, I get the biggest grin on my face! Live sound is really tough to do well, and it takes so much effort and planning to put on a good show. When it all goes right, and the band drops the hammer on the crowd it is so cool to be a part of it all. As a gigging musician I know how great it feels to play with great sound, so we strive to give that to every artist and event we support. 

DAA: There is a lot to love there. What is your favorite thing about Center Street Sound Company?
TIM: It’s so fun to help take something to the next level and surprise people with what is possible. I also really enjoy great live music, so I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night than helping a band bring down the house. Further, the entire music culture around Richmond is pretty special and it is fun that we have become a sought-after resource by musicians I really look up to.

DAA: It sounds like you’ve made some amazing memories already - and you get to share them with your family! 

TIM: The family adventure is by far the best part. We rise with the sun and load out with the moon as a unit and my kids are learning valuable lessons about life and hard work. Folks seem to enjoy our family dynamic and especially take my son Cooper under their wings to teach him tips and tricks about the art of sound and performing. We have already met lifelong friends and mentors along the way.  The community has been incredibly welcoming and helpful.   

DAA: A true family affair! How are you growing together?

TIM: I think the overall capacity of CSSC is quickly becoming impressive. We have strategic alliances with other companies that allow us to partner up and handle sizable events with ease. Music festivals, DJ services, corporate events, religious services and large public gatherings are all in our wheelhouse. CSSC offers full backline meaning we can provide professional drums kits, keyboards, amps, and instruments. Every penny we make goes into equipment to make the next event even better. We have big plans to quickly scale to our target events.

DAA: Can’t wait to see your big plans come to life! What are you dreaming of for Center Street Sound Company moving forward?

TIM: That it stays humble and authentic and is something that is always focused on creating joy.  Hopefully one of the kids can leverage it to do something amazing with their life, but if not, it's pretty cool the way it is right now.  We are making great memories and having fun along the way.