Wawa Brings the Volunteer Spirit to Ashland Train Day

Over 200 volunteers and first responders stream into downtown on Ashland Train Day. As The Official Sponsor of the First Responder Tent, Ashland’s Wawa works to provide volunteers working to ensure Train Day guests stay safe with meals and drinks, while bringing “Goose Pride” and fun to guests.

Ashland Wawa’s general manager Tammy Jarvis said in an interview with Downtown Ashland Association, “It is an exciting day for our team and has become an annual tradition for us to be part of something that touches so many people and makes a difference in their lives.”

Ashland’s Wawa brings a touch of local flair to their custom made salads, full service beverages, hot and cold hoagies, breakfast, lunch, and dinner options which they serve 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

The company’s commitment to the Ashland community extends to local partnerships and national partnerships including JDRF & LLS walks and events, Roc Solid builds, YMCA after school reading programs, and of course, Ashland Train Day. “We see it as a unique way for our associates to continue building relationships with our neighbors in the community,” say Tammy.

Under the sponsorship of Ashland’s Wawa, Ashland Train Day volunteers are gifted Wawa swag, coupons, and even a special visit from beloved mascot, Wally Goose. “Being a sponsor of the volunteer and first responder headquarters is a cause that we are honored to support,” says Tammy. 

“First responders are near and dear to us at Wawa as seen at every new store grand opening where we honor police and fire departments with our signature ‘Hoagies for Heroes’ sandwich building competition with $1,000 donated to each department’s charity of choice.”

Ashland’s Wawa is driven by their four guiding principles: Do things right, value people, embrace change, and delight customers. At Ashland Train Day, the company goes the extra mile. Tammy fondly recalls an interaction last year, “When an event guest complimented our Area Supervisor on a hat he was wearing which prompted him to take it right off his head and give it to the guest to brighten his day!” 

This year, Wawa plans to brighten the day with chances to win Wawa prizes and food at their booth, while Wally Goose gives away free hugs and photos. The generosity displayed to our Ashland Train Day volunteers makes Downtown Ashland Association proud to partner with our local Wawa store.

Huddle Up Announces Its Spring Concert Schedule

Huddle Up Sports Bar & Grill hosts their Nightfall Concert Series weekly from April through June. Popular local bands are booked to play live on Huddle Up’s huge dance floor. Groups like the KOS Band were especially excited to bring the party. “We are 1 part show band and 1 part party band,” said KOS member Bruce Swartz. “We love seeing folks enjoying themselves and dancing to the music.”

Enjoy yourself and dance to the music! Tables can be reserved by sending an email to huddleup407@gmail.com. All concerts include an $8-10 cover charge.

SPRING CONCERT SCHEDULE

• Friday, May 19 - Bombshell
  

• Saturday, May 20 - Josh Misner Band
  

• Friday, May 21 - LadySmyth Band
  

• Friday, May 26 - Main Street Station
  

• Friday, June 2 - LadySmyth Band
  

• Saturday, June 3 - Inside Out
  

• Friday, June 23 - Elixir
  

• Saturday, June 24 - En Novation
  

• Friday, June 30 - Monkey Fist

Newly Renovated Trackside Grill Hosts Ashland Train Day

Trackside Kitchen & Wine employees Dennis Oliver and Bella Moore

Ashland Train Day is FREE thanks to generous support from Trackside Kitchen & Wine. For owner Dominic Smith, sponsoring Ashland Train Day fulfills a mission. “We are blessed and fortunate. So, we always want to do more to give back, give more business opportunities, and provide charity to those who might be less fortunate.”

Trackside Kitchen & Wine’s generosity allows Ashland Train Day attendees to enjoy model trains, trolley rides, railroad history, a scavenger hunt, and much more–completely free of charge! Smith expects all the fun on April 29 will bring big crowds into the Center of The Universe. “We just hope that we can serve everyone that comes through Trackside,” Smith laughs.

Exterior of the freshly renovated Trackside Kitchen and Wine.

Fortunately, Trackside Kitchen & Wine is better equipped than ever to host visitors. The newly updated hotspot for dining and entertainment in Downtown Ashland showcases an expansive bar, plush booths, and gleaming tables.  

“Trackside is a centerpiece of the town of Ashland,” says Smith. “We renovated with the goal of giving people a downtown restaurant where they can embrace family, life, and happiness.”

The renovated and rebranded Trackside Kitchen & Wine is a modern wine bar with a full menu. Historic photos of Downtown Ashland deck the walls, reminding patrons of the connection between new and old in the historic building. The updated menu of fresh salads, rice bowls, and wraps showcases the fully stocked wine selection–while maintaining some fan-favorite dishes.

Trackside Kitchen and Wine’s newly renovated bar,

To top it off on Ashland Train Day, Trackside Kitchen & Wine will cohost a beer garden with Ashland Sportspage to offer railfans a menu of wings, wraps, and snacks with table seating and musical entertainment.

This hotspot is quickly becoming a crowd favorite! Make plans to visit the newly renovated Trackside Kitchen & Wine at 301 S. Railroad Avenue this weekend.

Kid Zone Blessings by New Community Church

Ashland Train Day and the New Community Church is a match made in the Center of the Universe.

On Saturday, April 29 the young and young-at-heart will be delighted by a kiddie train ride, three bouncy houses, games, The Singing Conductor, and Kona Ice - all made possible by the New Community Church’s generous sponsorship of Ashland Train Day’s Kid Zone.

“We believe the church should be in its community and for its community,” Co-Lead Pastor Brandon Baldwin told Downtown Ashland Association. “Ashland Train Day is an important day for our town, so our heart is to show our support and do our part to make it a great experience.” Last year, New Community Church made the Kid Zone a great experience with face paint, prizes, and even a blow-up cow costume. This year they plan on bringing more smiles with an additional bouncy house and field games.

The Church’s mission is to bring hope to their neighbors. Their efforts are exemplified by spearheading the Family Room Renovation Project completed at Hanover Department of Social Services. Over two dozen local businesses and churches worked together to give our community’s kids a fun and comfortable playroom for tough days in the office–complete with a rope loft, indoor slide, gaming station and craft station. “We recognize that many children find themselves in that room on some of the most difficult days of their lives,” said Co-Lead Pastor Hannah Baldwin. “It was our intention to work with the DSS to improve that experience and inspire hope for each child who is there.”

Meet the people making New Community Church’s mission a reality at Ashland Train Day in the Kid Zone behind Ashland Branch Library and/or worship with them Sundays at 6:00 PM inside Ashland Theatre.

RCI Builders Hosts Touch-A-Truck at Ashland Train Day

On April 29, gear heads of all ages will visit an impressive display of heavy equipment, a fire truck and ambulance, dump trucks, and tractors. Ashland Train Day’s Touch-A-Truck Area is made possible by RCI Builders.

You probably know RCI Builders for the well-crafted, high-quality homes they’ve been building in Ashland since 1999. Today, RCI is one of the largest locally owned construction companies in central Virginia, supporting more than 30 employees and contracts. They extend support into the community through charitable giving, including hosting the Touch-A-Truck Area at Ashland Train Day.

RCI Builders’ Vice President and Co-Owner Patrick Ashley recall all the delights of Ashland Train Days past. “There is nothing like showing the children the heavy equipment and dump trucks we work with daily and giving them a glimpse into the fun of construction!” 

Children and their loved ones are invited to climb into vehicles, touch and feel everything, and speak with the operators–completely free of charge. “Because Touch-A-Truck is in Ashland at Train Day, it feels like stepping back in time to old holiday parades,” muses Ashley. “We love connecting and engaging with the public and meeting the families that live in and around Ashland.”

You can meet Builder Integrity Award-winning, RCI Builders, at the Touch-a-Truck area at Ashland Train Day on Saturday, April 29th from 10 AM to 4 PM. We'll see you there!