Annual Report

Downtown Ashland Association proudly presents our 2022 Annual Report.

The report highlights the Association’s work of the past fiscal year. It is intended to inform all stakeholders—residents, business owners, partners, officials, and visitors—with a snapshot of our progress and a look ahead.

Downtown Ashland Association works toward community-led economic development to create a vibrant future in our historic downtown. We made great strides promoting Ashland with 2 million positive media impressions and drawing visitors to Ashland with events that eclipsed all previous attendance records.

The results are demonstrated in local businesses’ confidence for the future: 88% of downtown businesses expect revenues to grow in the coming year. Downtown Ashland is undertaking a renaissance, and we are proud to assist!

Community Spotlight: Dr. Alphine Jefferson

At the recent Toast of Downtown reception, Downtown Ashland Association and our partners recognized the contributions of Dr. Alphine Jefferson to the Ashland community. Dr. Jefferson is retiring after seventeen years on the faculty of Randolph-Macon College. During his tenure, Jefferson served on the nonprofit boards of many Ashland community organizations. He retires from academic service this year and begins full-time pursuit of his passions for travel and writing.

Jefferson was born in Caroline County, Virginia and spent half his youth in Baltimore, Maryland. It was there he had his first male African American teacher, and was inspired to the profession. It was also in Baltimore, where he was selected for an advanced program in high school, which exposed him to the possibilities of higher education. Jefferson attended the University of Chicago as an undergraduate as one of only 34 black students. He pursued graduate work in history at Duke University, completing his PhD with a dissertation on the effects of housing discrimination.

Jefferson’s early faculty career included Northern Illinois University, Southern Methodist University, Johns Hopkins University, and the College of Wooster. In 2005, he moved home to Virginia to be with family. He began teaching at Randolph-Macon College, where Jefferson chaired the Black Studies Program. Jefferson served as the national president of the Oral History Association and on the editorial board for The Public Historian for the National Council of Public History.

Jefferson served as President of Hanover County Black Heritage Society for ten years, and he continues to serve on the boards of the Ashland Museum, Hanover Tavern Foundation, and Ashland Theatre Foundation. Beginning in 2010, Jefferson organized annual Juneteenth events recognizing black history and its effects on the present day in our community and the College. 

In recognition of his dedication and service, Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director Maggie Longest, shared the following words, “Dr. Jefferson made it his professional agenda to participate in our community’s cultural and historical organizations, and we have all benefited from his wisdom. Alphine, we wish you a happy retirement and trust that we will see you often as a visitor and customer in Downtown Ashland!”

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.