Ready to jazz up your Friday evening? Ashland's Fourth Fridays are back on Friday, July 26, and we’ve got a night packed with family-friendly fun, food, and fantastic music! Here’s the scoop on what’s happening around town:
Groovin' Tunes and Dance Moves
The Ham Biscuits are serving up a hearty helping of New Orleans-style jazz, soul, and blues at the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion. The concert is free, so bring your lawn chairs and your dancing shoes!
At 5 PM, the Ashland Dance Academy will dazzle us with their adorable dance numbers on the Town Hall Pavilion Stage. Stick around afterward for pictures with Bluey and free blue cotton candy! Inside 110 Thompson, glam up with free fairy hair extensions.
Delicious Bites and Cool Treats
Indulge your sweet tooth at the Farmview Creamery soft serve truck on the Town Hall Lawn. For those in need of a caffeine fix, Classic Coffee and Tea’s truck will be parked outside Ashland Dance Academy.
Art, Tattoos, and More!
Check out the original Ashland-inspired artwork sold by Immagine LLC outside of Ashland Meat Company. Feeling adventurous? Ashland Tattoo Company will have vendors set up outside with some cool gear. The award-winning Free to Read program is back outside the Ashland Branch Library giving away as many free books as you can carry.
Spooky Adventures
RED VEIN Escape is hosting vendors and games, adding an extra thrill to your evening. Plus, Ashland Haunted History Tours is celebrating five years of ghostly tales! Use the code BOODAY24 when booking online to get 20% off your tour through July 27.
Late-Night Local Flavor
Beloved Ashland spots stay open late and keep the good times rolling:
Guided, seasonal ghost tours of Downtown Ashland, featuring researched history and ghost stories as related by business owners and residents of this historic town.
108 Robinson Street
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 752-1081
hauntedashland.com
On-site butcher, specialty grocer, regionally sourced provisions, farm-to-fork, deli platters, sandwiches-to-order, grab-&-go items, seasonal produce, local libations, handmade artisan goods.
107 S Railroad Avenue
Ashland, Virginia 23005
804-798-8311
ashlandmeatco.com
Ashland Museum tells the story of our town through words, images, voices, and objects. Plus, tour the fully restored 1926 C&O red caboose for a trip back in time to the heyday of the railroad. Groups are welcome, call to make arrangements.
Ashland Museum
105 Hanover Avenue
(804) 368-7314
ashlandmuseum.org
Authentic home-style Thai cooking. Take out and delivery only.
124-B Thompson Street
Ashland, Virginia
(804) 299-3644
Facebook page
Located along the railroad tracks, the Caboose market provides an extensive selection of beverages, locally made products, and imported and domestic cheeses. The cafe offers a fresh, seasonal menu of farm-to-table fare, along with coffee, wine and craft beer.
108 S Railroad Ave
Ashland, Virginia
(804) 798-2933
cabooseashland.com
Mexican-American favorites served in a family-friendly atmosphere. Plus, signature margaritas and sangria!
428 England Street
Ashland, Virginia
804-496-6796
website
Step into the warmth, charm, and hospitality of The Henry Clay Inn — a Georgian-style Inn located right in the heart of historic downtown Ashland. Weddings, meetings, and private events hosted on the premises. Dining room serves full menu Thursday through Monday.
114 N. Railroad Ave
Ashland, Virginia
(804) 798-3100
henryclayinn.com
Sports bar with 50 screens, pool tables, beer taps, and all-American dining. Plus, live music from local bands on Fridays and Saturdays after 8pm.
407 England Street
Ashland, Virginia
(804) 798-5979
huddleupsportsbar.com
On the corner of Ashland’s main street, Railroad Avenue, and the busiest rail line in the East, IRON HORSE'S two-story beacon is hard to miss. Set in a 100+ year-old building that formerly housed Cox’s department store, IRON HORSE has become a community landmark as well as home to the one, true “Center of the Universe.” Reservations and private parties available.
100 S. Railroad Avenue
Ashland, Virginia
804-752-6410
ironhorserestaurant.com
RED VEIN Escape is a year round, multi-themed escape room company. Challenge your team to use their wits and skill to outsmart one of the unique games.
108 Robinson Street
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 752-1081
redveinescape.com
Sweet Frog located in the heart of Ashland - the Center of the Universe! Sweet Frog is a self-service frozen yogurt shop that offers much more than simply frozen yogurt. Try an assortment of fro-yo, gelato, sorbets, a wide array of toppings, sodas, frozen drinks and more.
210 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 496-6915
Facebook page
An event space hosted in an open airy studio. Available for meetings, receptions, classes, or dances.
110 Thompson St
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 412-8591
110thompson.com
Tiny Tim’s Toys and Train's is a unique toy and hobby store featuring model trains, cars, learning toys, science kits, crafts, gags, and family games for ages 0 to 99.
104 S Railroad Ave
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 368-0063
trainandtoystore.com
Posh antiques and collectibles shop. Open Saturdays only.
112C Thompson Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Unique and authentic tattoo with a variety of tattoo and PMU artists.
113 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005
Family Italian restaurant and Bar where you can expect homemade, top-notch Italian flavors including gourmet pizzas, fresh salads, amazing pastas, tasty chicken, seafood, and awesome steaks on the menu.
435 England St, Ashland, VA
804-368-7204
The "Secretariat Racing Into History" monument, sculpted by acclaimed artist Jocelyn Russell, stands as a remarkable tribute to the legendary Triple Crown champion in Virginia.
At the corner of England Street and Railroad Avenue on Randolph-Macon College
Ashland’s tribute to trains includes a massive mural depicting a locomotive that traveled Ashland’s tracks 50 years ago.
108 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA
Calling All Songwriters!
Got a tune in your heart inspired by Ashland? Enter the Ashland Song Contest! The winner will perform at Ashland Fourth Fridays on August 23, win a recording session with Free Jambalaya, streaming on major platforms, a $100 Town of Ashland gift certificate, original cover art, and a spot at the Light Up the Tracks Celebration on November 23. The deadline is Sunday, August 18.
So come on down, bring the family, and let’s make this Friday one for the books. See you there, neighbors!
Andy’s has been serving homemade food in Ashland since 1968. Patio dining, evening dancing and billiards keep customers coming back.
412 England St
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 752-2990