Camptown Races’ Ashland Origins

Photos courtesy of Donna Gilman Dennehy of Eagle Point Farm.

By contributing writer Leeanne Ladin

The same Ashland track Secretariat would come to train on served as the inaugural venue of the Camptown Races. Immortalized in legend as well as song, Big Red and Camptown Races both began in the Center of the Universe.

Camptown Races all started thanks to an Ashlander. In 1953, Ed Gilman, a lifelong horseman, and founder of Eagle Point Farm of Ashland, suggested a “country race meet” as a way to raise money for the Ashland War Memorial, honoring those who fought in World War II. Mayor Dick Gillis dubbed the event the “Camptown Races” after the popular song. Later it would even have its own “Doo-Dah Parade.”

Christopher T. Chenery, owner of nearby Meadow Stable, offered his horse farm as the first venue. The inaugural Camptown races were run on the same track at The Meadow where a young Secretariat would start to train about 18 years later.

Over 3,000 spectators came to the inaugural running of the Camptown Races on June 6, 1953. Subscribers paid $100 each for a five-year parking spot while admission for the general public was one dollar.

Presentation of the Chenery Challenge Cup at the Camptown Races.

The initial program featured a variety of races: a farmer’s race with work horses, a ladies’ race, a Quarter Horse race, two Thoroughbred races and even a mule race. Each winner received a silver trophy.

By 1958, race fans and race horses were coming to the Camptown Races from well beyond central Virginia. One newspaper described the event as the “country cousin to the Kentucky Derby.”  

Eventually, the Camptown Races outgrew the facilities at Meadow Stable. The event was moved to Mannheim Farm in Ashland where its success continued to grow. This enabled proceeds to be shared with other organizations such as the Ashland Youth League, Ashland Fire Department, Ashland Rescue Squad, and several others. 

Though the races were discontinued many years ago, the community spirit exemplified by Chris Chenery, Ed Gilman and others lives on in many ways in Ashland. The enthusiastic support for the Secretariat statue is a prime example. Fundraising efforts to permanently install the “Secretariat Racing into History” monument in Ashland are ongoing. You can learn more about Secretariat for Virginia’s efforts at www.secretariatforvirginia.com

Ashland's Fourth of July Fun

Downtown Ashland hosts a yankee doodle dandy Independence Day! Civic events are hosted at Hanover Arts & Activities Center with businesses and organizations adding extra fun around town.

Here is our guide to see, do, and eat Downtown in Ashland this Fourth of July…

9 AM
Annual Book Sale at the Ashland Branch Library — The Friends of the Library Ashland biggest annual event is on Independence Day. Guests can fill a bag for $5 with a variety of hardbacks, paperbacks, children’s books, and DVD’s. All the proceeds support the Ashland Branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library.

Ashland Hanover Visitors Center — Learn more about Ashland history, destinations, food, lodging and more inside the Old Ashland Train Station.

Ashland Meat Company — Find all your fourth of July fixings thanks to the 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.

9:30 AM

All-American Apple Pie Baking Contest at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. — Are you the best baker in the Center of the Universe? Put your pie to the test when you drop it off at The Center for judging during the parade. Register here.

11 AM

Patriotic Parade steps off on Hanover Avenue and ends at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. — Patriotic bikes, pets, “The Cacophony of the Universe” Marching Band, and Ashland’s famous Lawn Chair Brigade tromp down Center Street to the delight of onlookers.

Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys — Play with model trains, cars, learning toys, science kits, crafts, gags and games fit for the whole family!

Ban Thai Restaurant — Take out authentic home-style Thai cuisine or have it delivered.

Sports Page Bar & Grill — Bring pets to the patio and feast on family-friendly American classics.

11:45 AM

Patriotic music plays live by the Hanover Concert Band on the Hanover Arts and Activities Center Lawn.

12 PM

Lawn Party at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center — Play old fashioned lawn games while you chow down on hot dogs, apple pie, snow cones, and hamburgers.

Carter Park Pool — The eight lane junior Olympic-sized swimming pool has a new slide, poolside seating and a kiddie pool.

Origin Beer Lab — Pouring out new brews inside, on the patio, and in their beer garden.

12:30 PM

Winners are announced at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center — The All-American Pie Contest and Patriotic Pet Contest winners are announced while the acclaimed pies are put up for auction.

Celebrating Black-Owned Organizations in Ashland

Founder Carolyn Hemphill stands inside the Hanover County Black Heritage Society museum within the Henry Clay Inn.

We asked you to name your favorite local Black-owned organizations and you answered! Throughout the month of June, tune into Downtown Ashland Association’s Facebook and Instagram to nominate your favorites. Scroll below to celebrate the most recent nominees…

• Andys
 Restaurant

• Serving up homemade food since 1968 with patio dining, evening dancing, and billiards.

• Around The Table | Food Good For The Soul

• A culinary team with over 27 years of experience in the culinary arts construct meals aimed to gather friends and family “around the table.”

• Ashland Catering Company

• A full-service caterer for occasions big or small.

• Circles Ashland

• Circles work to address poverty by increasing the capacity of communities.

• Divine Assist

• An organization committed to providing charitable community outreach programs, support for youth, families, and communities through a continuum of programs and services.

• Donald M. White Attorney At Law

• FoodiO

• A market dedicated to empowering people through food with delicious homemade meals.

• Hanover County Black Heritage Society 

• The Society seeks to uncover and preserve the history of African Americans in Hanover County and to help enrich and promote stronger family and community unity through our historical findings.

• Huddle Up Sports Bar

• This Sports Bar has 50 screens, pool tables, beer taps, and all-American dining with live music and dancing on Fridays and Saturdays after 8 PM.

• Keys and Associates Insurance

• Guides clients through creating their business while providing efficient strategies.

• Shiloh Baptist Church

• Offering weekly Worship to build a better church and stronger community.

• Sportpage Bar and Grill

• Family and pet-friendly sports bar and grill dishing out traditional American fare.

• Sweet Sharae's

• The ice cream truck offers a variety of ice cream flavors, toppings, and Sundays.

• Trackside Kitchen and Wine

• A family-friendly wine bar and restaurant serving American grill fare in a historic Ashland building.

• Union Baptist Church

• Celebrating over 130 years of ministry in the town of Ashland, Virginia.

Changes in the Center of the Universe

Notice something new in Ashland? Check out changes in the Center of the Universe below…

Andy’s Restaurant and Lounge revamped its patio

Diners have enjoyed Andy’s homemade food, dancing, and billiards since 1968. Now, you can also enjoy outdoor dining in style on the patio with expanded seating, outdoor screens, and twinkling lights.

Casa Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant expanded the dining room

Casa Herradura’s delicious delights can’t be contained! Now the signature margaritas and Mexican cuisine are served to two dining rooms and a patio–plus room for parties!

Dr. David A. Haine named a Richmond Magazine Top Docs Winner

Ashland has always known our own Dr. Haine at Family Eye Care Centers of Virginia is a top doctor. Now, thanks to the 1,302 professionals who participated in Richmond Magazine’s online survey, he is rightfully recognized as one of the leading optometrists in the region.

Trackside Kitchen and Wine unveils its new look

In April, 2023 Trackside Grill transformed to the chic and updated Trackside Kitchen and Wine. The renovations give guests a quintessential downtown experience, while continuing to embrace the business’s core values of family, life, and happiness.

The Ashland Theatre is the place for family programming this summer!

The Ashland Theatre is excited to announce a full summer of family-friendly programming at the historic theatre.

$2 Movie Mondays!  Starting June 26th, the Ashland Theatre will offer eight weeks of $2 Monday movies at 2PM!  The series kicks off with the 2022 film, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Tickets for all showings are on sale now!

June 26th, 2PM:          Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

July 3rd, 2PM:             Hotel Transylvania

July 10th, 2PM:            Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

July 17th, 2PM:            Goosebumps

July 24th, 2PM:            Peter Rabbit

July 31st, 2PM:            Stuart Little

Aug 7th, 2PM:             Surf’s Up

Aug. 14th, 2PM:          Open Season

The Toddler Takeover Hour!  This free monthly event is open to all children ages 1 month to 6 years, and their families.  The theatre shows cartoons and other family-friendly fare for our young audience with short attention spans. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 per family at the door. Coloring and craft stations are set up and the theatre lights are kept on throughout the hour.  Some months feature live-storytelling or in-person fairy princesses!

Upcoming Toddler Takeover Hours are Saturday June 10th at 10AM, Saturday July 8th at 10AM, and Saturday August 19th at 10AM!

New Release Films! Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse is the #1 movie in the world and now playing at the Ashland Theatre through June 15.  The Flash opens on June 16, and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kracken opens June 30!  Tickets for all showings are on sale now.

The Ashland Theatre is committed to offering a range of programming that appeals to all community members.  The Theatre welcomed over 12,000 patrons throughout 2022 for a mix of films, music, theatre, talks, and private rentals.