Crowds shop, picnic, and gather at Ashland Fourth Fridays
Three fabulous Fourth Fridays have brought music, movement, and magic to downtown Ashland—and now it’s time for the fourth and final celebration. On Friday, August 22 from 5 to 8 PM, the community is invited to gather on the lawn of Ashland Town Hall for the Ashland Fourth Fridays Grand Finale. It’s the perfect summer send-off, brimming with neighborly fun, local flavor, and the unmistakable charm of the Center of the Universe.
Ashland Dance Academy performs at Ashland Fourth Fridays
The evening begins with a show of hometown talent on the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion stage, where Ashland Dance Academy will perform a series of original dance routines. One highlight? A special interpretation of “You Already Know,” the winning anthem from the 2024 Ashland Song Contest, written and performed by the brilliant Ginny Ray. As the dancers step off the stage, the Downtown Ashland Association will take a moment to reveal the grand prize winner of the 2025 Ashland Song Contest. The newest anthem of Ashland might even be performed live for the very first time.
2024 Ashland Song Contest winner Ginny Ray
Music continues to take center stage as Kayla Atanacio, winner of Hanover’s Got Talent, shares her award-winning song with the crowd. Then, beloved local favorites The Generations Trio will return to the stage, filling the summer air with the smooth sounds of classic jazz standards and reimagined pop hits until the sun sets on this final Fourth Friday.
While the stage entertains, more than 30 local artists, food makers, and small businesses will set up around the Town Hall lawn and parking lot. Shoppers will find everything from handcrafted housewares by C.G. Elliot Woodworking to fragrant blooms from Breemar Flower Farm, original canvas art by Richard Harding, and handcrafted soaps from Tierrapy Soaps. These are the kinds of goods that feel good to buy—not just because they’re beautiful, but because every purchase supports a real person in our community.
Local partners are going above and beyond to add comfort and care to the festivities. Cornerstone Church will be handing out cold bottles of water to help everyone beat the heat, and ARC of Hanover will welcome guests into their sensory-friendly tent, filled with calming tools and textures. They’ll also be offering a free thrift table, where families can browse and take home donated treasures at no cost. "The Arc of Hanover and Thrift Store are so pleased to be able to join in the festivities of this last of the 'Fourth Fridays,” says Diane Gallegos, Co-Executive Director/Mission, The Arc of Hanover. “We'll have our Mobile Sensory Tent for guests who may need a break from what can be an overwhelming environment, and we'll also have several rummage bins with items like what you would find at the quarterly Free Community Yard Sale events at our Thrift Store.”
Shaken Not Spurred’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese
As always, Ashland’s food scene is ready to impress. While local farm-to-fork favorites like The Caboose Market & Café, The Iron Horse, Ash & Olive, and The Henry Clay Inn offer unbeatable dinner views of trains rolling through the heart of town, the Downtown Ashland Association is also bringing in crowd-pleasing food trucks to keep everyone fueled right on site. Shaken Not Spurred will serve up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, Farmview Creamery will offer their signature cool treats, and Mama Vicky’s Lumpia and Filipino Cuisine will delight with savory BBQ skewers and sweet or savory lumpia made with care and tradition.
Families will want to pop into downtown shops like Take Away, which is staying open late for after-dinner browsing. Over at Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys, little ones can paint Breyer Horses for free and marvel at the detailed model train displays. For those in the mood for a little fright with their fun, RED VEIN Escape is open for immersive games, plus they’re offering their Spirits of Railroad Avenue Haunted History Tour, a guided ghost walk through one of the oldest—and spookiest—corners of Ashland.
Celebrity guest photos at 110 Thompson
And don’t miss the festivities at 110 Thompson Street, home of the now-iconic “Welcome to the Center of the Universe” mural. Just after the Ashland Dance Academy performance, families could find free snacks, face painting, and photos with a special celebrity guest. Past stars have included Glenda the Good Witch, Lelio, and Stitch—so you never know who might make a surprise appearance to help say goodbye to summer.
Although this will be the final Fourth Friday of the year, it’s only the beginning of a bustling calendar of community events. Things kick off again on September 27 with the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, and continue all the way through Ashland Train Day on April 25, 2026. Vendors who want to be part of the magic all year long are encouraged to become Downtown Ashland Association Silver Sponsors—and reserve their spot at events throughout the seasons. Learn more at ashlandvirginia.com/sponsor.
As summer winds down, the community is coming together one last time to celebrate all that makes Ashland shine. Whether you’re coming for the music, the food, the shopping, or simply to soak up the small-town joy—there’s a place for you at the Ashland Fourth Fridays finale. Find maps, parking, and more at AshlandFourthFridays.com