Coming Home to Play

Native Ashlander and co-founder of PlayRVA Taylor Pace takes playtime seriously. 

“We started PlayRVA to do something fun and put smiles on people’s faces. My partner and I have other businesses- from vending to a printing company, a web development company, etc.--but this is the most enjoyable.”

To launch PlayRVA, the company began running train rides at Short Pump Town Center and quickly opened more routes. They currently operate at Regency Square, Potomac Mills, and Charlotte Premium Outlets. Next, they began to rent out the trains for mobile parties and events, and bought a fire truck to add more fun to the offering!

Ashland Train Day seemed like a natural fit. “I reached out to the Downtown Ashland Association because we really wanted to be part of the event. I’m so excited to come back to Ashland to offer up some fun rides, but also to witness the amazing growth that's been happening there.”

PlayRVA’s inclusion in Ashland Train Day is especially exciting for Pace; his family roots are deep in the Center of the Universe. “PlayRVA trains will be running right down the street from where I grew up,” he laughs. 

Pace spent his early years on Center Street with his father, Steve Pace, and not far away Aunt Pat, Uncle Jay, and cousins Chris and Liz. While attending Patrick Henry High School and James Madison University, Pace took on many job roles at the Herald Progress newspaper, where his uncle served as editor and his father as general manager.

“One of PlayRVA’s kiddie train routes is going to be at the Ashland Branch Library. There is a statue of my Uncle Jay reading the Herald Progress there, which is so nice to have a place to visit him. I can’t wait to show him the train! My dad is also still present in Ashland as an agent at the Hometown Realty office on the tracks. It will be a fun day for Ashland and a nostalgic day for me.”

The two PlayRVA trains running on Ashland Train Day are not just for children. “One thing that we really like about the trains is the parents can ride too,” said Pace. “They’re not just putting their kid on the train and saying, ‘Bye-bye.’ They actually get to enjoy the experience together.”

You’re invited to take a FREE ride on PlayRVA kiddie trains during Ashland’s 19th annual Ashland Train Day street festival from 10am-4pm on April 29, 2023. See ashlandtrainday.com to plan a visit for the whole family.

Secretariat Races into Ashland

The legendary thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat was born at Meadow Stable near Ashland, Virginia. So, it is only fitting that The Center of the Universe will host Big Red’s triumphant return this weekend to kick off a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown.

Immortalized as a 3,500-pound bronze statue by acclaimed sculptor Jocelyn Russell, the statue “Secretariat Racing Into History” will travel over 1,000 miles from Oklahoma to Downtown Ashland just in time for festivities on Saturday, April 1st. The Secretariat for Virginia Committee will celebrate Big Red’s birthday with cake, family-friendly activities, movies, music, museum tours, and even a surprise special guest!

The celebration recognizes the Secretariat for Virginia Committee’s plans to install the “Secretariat Racing Into History” statue at the corner of England Street and Railroad Avenue in Downtown Ashland. Randolph-Macon College and the Town of Ashland have offered the site for the statue to stand as a permanent monument to Secretariat’s life and legacy.

For viewers, the larger-than-life monument will illustrate the equine athlete’s illustrious career. For Ashland resident, author, and speaker Kate Chenery Tweedy, the heroic artwork highlights her family legacy. “Secretariat's story truly would come full circle if the monument is placed in Ashland," said Ms. Tweedy in an interview with Secretariat for Virginia. 

Her grandfather, Christopher Chenery grew up in Ashland, attended Randolph-Macon College, and founded nearby Meadow Stable where Secretariat was born in 1970. Her mother, Penny Chenery, took over the family farm and managed Secretariat’s history-making career. Kate Chenery Tweedy chairs the Secretariat for Virginia Committee with the hope of raising enough money to install “Secretariat Racing Into History” in Ashland permanently. 

If the Secretariat for Virginia Committee meets its fundraising goals, this will be the first and only monument of Secretariat in his home state of Virginia. It is a part of artist Jocelyn Russell's vision that “Secretariat Racing Into History” go to pasture in his home state. Ms. Russel said in an interview with Secretariat for Virginia, “This is literally where his history started.” Fundraising efforts are already out of the gate at the Ashland Museum, where donations are being accepted.

EVENT DETAILS
Saturday, April 1, 2023

From 11 AM - 1:30 PM, the Ashland Theatre will show Disney’s “Secretariat” for free while Ms. Tweedy - who appeared in the movie with her mother - shares her behind-the-scenes perspective on set.

At 2:00 PM at Ashland Town Hall Pavillion, “Secretariat Racing Into History” will be officially unveiled with Ashland famous friends, special guests, live music, and birthday cake fit to feed a horse.

From 2:30 - 5:00 PM, meet Secretariat's lookalike and descendant while Ms. Russell presents her process of sculpting the monument. Enjoy family-friendly activities and crafts, a display of the Secretariat's first saddle, and videos of his Trip Crown races. The Ashland Museum will offer tours and Secretariat merchandise. 

See “Secretariat Racing Into History” before it continues its multi-state tour. The monument will be on display at Ashland Town Hall.

The Ashland Musical Variety Show is Back on Track

The bi-annual Ashland Musical Variety Show is Back on Track at last! Local talent of all ages make their triumphant return to the newly renovated Blackwell Auditorium on historic Randolph Macon campus to perform comedic skits, songs, and dances on behalf of the Hanover Arts & Activities Center.

Every odd year since 1982, the cast, crew, and audience gather in the name of “Community Building through the Arts.” The results are shared laughs and cherished memories. In an interview with Virginia This Morning, founder and director Sue Watson said, “There is something in our show that will touch your heart, make you laugh, make you remember people that you love.”

Most importantly, the Ashland Musical Variety Show is used as the FUNdraiser for the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Proceeds support the Center’s mission as Downtown Ashland’s community center for cultural, educational, and civic events.

The Ashland Musical Variety Show: We’re Back on Track opens Thursday, March 23 and runs through Saturday, March 25. Doors open at 7:00 PM for a 7:30 PM performance. Purchase your tickets here and print or take a screenshot of your confirmation email to present at Blackwell Auditorium for admission. If you don’t receive a confirmation message, just email ticketsHAAC@gmail.com.

Celebrate Ashland Train Day

Downtown Ashland Association hosts the 19th annual street festival and railroad extravaganza on Saturday, April 29, 2023

Ashland Train Day returns on April 29, 2023, presented by Trackside Grill! This family-friendly street festival invites you to explore freight and passenger trains, touch-a-truck, model trains, railroad history, live music, kiddie rides, festival food, dance music, and gift shopping in the heart of historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia!

 “We invite you to enjoy Ashland Train Day with the whole family!” said Maggie Longest, executive director of Downtown Ashland Association. “It’s a joy to showcase our town’s railroad attractions and local businesses with this free event.”

 More than 12 fully-loaded CSX freight trains and Amtrak passenger trains pass through the center of the event. The Kid Zone offers a world of fun with a bouncy house, obstacle course, and games. The Touch-a-Truck thrills gear heads of all ages with a display of heavy equipment, a fire truck and an ambulance, dump trucks and tractors. Two kiddie train rides invite families to tour the festivities. All aboard!

Model trains of every size and scale will be on display. Plus vintage railroad equipment and a red caboose. The event brings Virginia’s railroad history to life with two museums, three storytellers, and a 16-stop scavenger hunt. Railfans of all ages will enjoy Ashland Train Day!

 “Ashland is proud to host Train Day and welcome visitors from across our region and around the world to celebrate with us,” said Ashland Mayor Steve Trivett. “Come see why we consider Ashland the Center of the Universe!”

 Mark your calendar and gather your friends for Ashland Train Day on April 29, 2023! In the meantime, visit ashlandtrainday.com for event info.

 Retail and vendors are welcome at the event, apply here. To join the fun as a volunteer, sign-up online.

Welcome, Louise Keeton!

Downtown Ashland Association is proud to announce our new Marketing Director, Louise Keeton, will join the team on March 20, 2023. Keeton is an Ashland native, communications professional, and founder of Whistle Stop Theatre Company. She will lead efforts to organize community events and attract visitors.

 Keeton is a communications professional specializing in digital strategies to promote local engagement. She was part of an award-winning team at Virginia Public Media and presented at PBS Tech Con.

 In addition, Keeton is the founder of Ashland’s own Whistle Stop Theatre Company, a non-profit, family run, community theatre group.  Since 2012, she and her team have provided quality entertainment that empowers, educates, and inspires audiences to develop their skills in empathy, literature, history, and imagination.

 For her work in communications and theatre, Louise Keeton was named one of the 2018 Women in the Arts by Richmond’s Style Weekly.

 We welcome Louise Keeton to the team at Downtown Ashland Association with all the fanfare of a homecoming! You can reach her at lou@ashlandvirginia.com.