Saturday Soundtracks

Ashland Saturday Soundtracks kicks off its eight-week Summer Series on Saturday, July 9 from 4-7pm featuring up-and-coming artist Sela Campbell.  Sela will play an acoustic variety of country hits and classics. 

This free event is held trackside in Downtown Ashland in front of Changing Reins Equestrian Boutique at 102 South Railroad Avenue. Listeners are welcome to enjoy outdoor free music from any of the outdoor restaurant patios or from a lawn chair in the pedestrian area.

Summer Series Schedule

July 9 Sela Campbell

July 16 Katie Carter

July 23 Roger Reynolds and Friends

July 30 Way Down South Acoustic

August 6 Alex Pierce

August 13 Mike Ferry

August 20 The Rudiments

August 27 Buckville Hootenanny

Ashland Soundtracks was created in the summer of 2021 as pandemic restrictions lifted and people were excited to safely get out and about in town.  Event organizer Chris Ray, owner of Origin Beer Lab, explains, “The thinking behind it was to create a lively and memorable atmosphere in Ashland where the casual visitor will have an enhanced experience.”

The first year was so successful, that the Town of Ashland awarded financial support for the next three years! Saturday Soundtracks will feature 24 concerts per year, each in three series of eight. This weekend launches the second series of 2022, dubbed the Summer Series, running July 9 to August 27. The Fall Series will begin in September and stretch eight weeks into autumn.

You’re invited each Saturday evening to shop, dine, and play in Downtown Ashland while enjoying the free concerts. For more information visit ashlandvirginia.com/soundtracks.

Toast of Downtown Silent Auction

Downtown Ashland Association proudly presents the Toast of Downtown Silent Auction! Thirteen unique Ashland experiences and memorabilia are up for sale.

All proceeds will benefit our nonprofit’s work for the community—like Ashland Train Day for kids, Ashland Fourth Fridays for artists, and Light Up the Tracks for the holidays.

Auction items include…

• The original 1990s handpainted sign from Ashland Coffee & Tea

• Two-night stay at a mountain cabin

• Date night dinner and ballroom dance lessons

• Richmond Flying Squirrels tickets for 8

• Kings Dominion tickets with Fast Pass

…and many more!

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The Toast of Downtown Silent Auction is made possible by our generous donors. Please support these companies that support our hometown!

Wawa Champions Ashland's First Responders

Wawa champions our community's first responders. As sponsors of the Ashland Train Day Headquarters for 150+ volunteers and first responders, Wawa is showing its commitment to the men and women who keep us safe.

Even the store's Grand Opening celebration brought out the Ashland, Virginia Police Department and Hanover County Fire-EMS Department to serve up hoagies and raise funds for charity (pictured below)!

2019 Grand Opening celebration for Wawa’s Ashland location.

We recently spoke with Wawa’s Mark Soroka to learn more about the company’s commitment to the community.

Tell us a little about our local store. What are the unique features and offerings it provides?

The Ashland store employs roughly 30-40 associates/managers and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We offer custom made salads, full service beverages (milkshakes, cold brew, smoothies, etc.), hot and cold hoagies, as well as a variety of other breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

How is Wawa involved in the local community? 

We are involved in many local partnerships: sponsorship with JDRF & LLS walks and events, Roc Solid builds in the RVA area, the local chapter of American Red Cross, the Chesterfield Education Foundation (free cup of coffee to every teacher, faculty member and administrator to welcome back to school), YMCA after school reading programs, CHOR phone-athon two years in a row, coupons to 5th graders in Life/Fire/Safety Program in Chesterfield County, local Torch Run for Special Olympics and local National Night Out events.

Why is Wawa supporting Ashland Train Day?

Wawa is proud to host the Volunteer & First Responders Headquarters for all police, fire, paramedic, and community leaders by providing pretzels, Wawa swag and prize wheels, coupons and a special visit from its mascot Wally Goose, as the retailer’s way of thanking every day heroes for serving their communities.

Downtown Ashland Association is proud to partner with our local Wawa store at 100 N. Washington Highway. We are grateful for the company's support of our local volunteers and first responders.

RCI Builders Supports Ashland Train Day

RCI Builders hosts the Touch-A-Truck Area at Ashland Train Day on April 30, 2022. Downtown Ashland Association welcomes the partnership with this hometown team! Their sponsorship makes it possible to keep Ashland Train Day free to the public. 

RCI Builders has been building well-crafted, high-quality homes at an affordable price in Ashland since 1999. The company has grown to become one of central Virginia’s largest locally owned construction companies. Now holding land positions in more than 20 communities and a highly successful build-on-your-lot program, the company directly supports more than 30 employees and contracts with 62 additional Hanover County companies. 

Downtown Ashland Association visited with Patrick Ashley, Vice President and Co-Owner for RCI Builders, to learn more. When asked about the company’s success, Ashley explained, “Yes, RCI Builders sold over 100 million dollars in new homes in 2021! From the homes we build, to the service we provide, to the relationships we form with clients and the community, high quality service is given every time.” 

RCI Builders is supporting Ashland Train Day to give back to the community. “As a builder who predominantly builds in Hanover, specifically Ashland, we love working within the community we're helping build! We get to watch every new homeowner fall in love with Ashland as much as we have,” Ashley explained. The company is involved with many local organizations, including serving food with Moments of Hope Outreach. 

Ashland will be welcoming new neighbors this year in Lauradell, Lakeview at Luck Farm, and Lankford’s Crossing served by RCI Builders. The company features craftsman-style single family homes in Ashland, along with a suite of ranch, farmhouse, and other styles. “We believe that offering a large variety of floor plans and elevations allows our clients to build a home that is uniquely theirs,” says Ashley. With more than 30 floor plans to choose from, there is an option for everyone. 

At Ashland Train Day, you can find RCI Builders welcoming guests to the Touch-A-Truck Area on England Street. Heavy Equipment, dump trucks, tractors, a fire truck and ambulance, and many more unique vehicles will be on display for kids to explore. RCI Builders offers this opportunity for local kids to get a glimpse into the fun of construction! 

RCI Builders has been awarded the “Builder Integrity Award” four times and continues to uphold its high standards of both business integrity and community engagement. Ashley explained the company’s spirit by saying, “once a client decides to build with us, they’ve become part of the RCI family; not only are we building high quality homes, but also high-quality relationships.” 

Downtown Ashland Association is grateful for our relationship with RCI Builders in support of the local community. We look forward to celebrating Ashland Train Day on Saturday, April 30 with an expanded Touch-A-Truck Area!

To learn more about RCI Builders visit rcibuildersnewhomes.com

To learn more about Ashland Train Day visit ashlandtrainday.com

Artist Spotlight: Carrie Cheatham

The 2022 Ashland Train Day tshirt design was created by local artist and entrepreneur Carrie Cheatham.

The commemorative shirt for kids and adults will be on sale at Downtown Ashland Association’s booth on the tracks during the event. We are proud to showcase our community event with the work of a local artist!

 This week, we interviewed Cheatham about life and art:

What is your favorite thing about Ashland?
The fact that you can walk or ride a bike just about anywhere. There is something special about walking or riding through Ashland and seeing all the quirks and history on "foot." From cruising around campus to get to class to long runs through town, this place surely has a way of making you feel like you're home.  

I recall that you are a Yellow Jacket alumna, what did you study? 
I am a Randolph-Macon College alumna and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Sociology. During my time there I was a four-year athlete on the field hockey team. My husband, Andrew, is also an alumnus and former baseball player for R-MC. Safe to say, we both love R-MC and Ashland, because it's where we met! 

When did you start Snail.Mail? How has it changed over time? 
I started Snail.Mail as a side business in 2018 and would work on small batches of cards after coming home from my "real" job. I never guessed that I'd be doing it full-time five years later!
Over the past few years, I've gone through a lot of change. Everything has grown into a brand that represents my passions and my style. I updated the cards and products, the logo and branding, the website development, and so much more. The one thing that hasn't changed at all—my solid foundation—is the mission: Using each card to advocate for and show love to our refugee and migrant neighbors here in our state. 

Where does your inspiration come from? 
Literally everywhere. I carry a little notepad with me most days to jot down random ideas, as well as pulling inspiration from my childhood, family life, and experiences. What I've learned is that if I can find inspiration from my own life, it will resonate with someone and their life too. Human connection is a beautiful thing. 

Where can people find Snail.Mail cards? And do you take special orders? 
Snail.Mail cards and other gift items can be found online at Ashland Meat Company, R-MC Campus Store, and Thrill of the Hunt. Special orders and commissions are always welcomed and encouraged. Whether it's a card, a commissioned home portrait, t-shirt design, or anything in between. If I can draw or paint it, we can make your ideas come to life! Please use the website to contact us with any special order ideas you may have.

Visit Carrie Cheatham and Snail.Mail online cheathamsnailmail.com and on social media via Instagram @cheathamsnail_mail, TikTok @cheathamsnail_mail, and Facebook @cheathamsnailmail.