Scholarships for Emerging Business Leaders

LEADERSHIP HANOVER, presented by the Hanover Chamber Foundation, is an interactive learning experience that guides participants through philosophy and skill development. Cohorts include participants from a wide array of industries. Monthly sessions - led by accomplished presenters, panelists and facilitators – will ensure LH graduates demonstrate:

1. Improved self-awareness capability

2. Stronger personal leadership competency

3. Growth as an effective communicator

4. Increased skill in time management

5. Growth as a team builder and leader

6. Ability to empower, coach, and hold others accountable

7. Improved networking skills

8. Evolving ability to create a vision and alignment for projects and plans

Additionally, participants will deepen their understanding of key concepts to run an effective business, their ability to develop and implement business processes on a daily and annual basis, and their understanding of the impact both local government and community engagement has on businesses and individuals.

Over the 9-month academy, participants stay engaged by learning in many ways - Small group discussions, top-notch presenters, workshops, class socials, mentorships, expert panels, team-building activities, and more! Class size is limited to ensure the best experience.

Monthly sessions take place on the second Tuesdays from 1-5 PM, October 2023 to April 2024. An orientation dinner will be held in September. Two post-session class socials will be held, one each semester. The group will take a day trip to the VA Capitol during the General Assembly. The final session in May takes place prior to the graduation celebration with dinner.

Sponsorships guarantee an enriching experience and assist in keeping tuition costs attainable for participants. Donations made to our 501c3 may be tax deductible. See the Leadership Hanover Sponsor Packet for more details.

Applications are due this summer. Application forms are available for download on the Foundation website, www.HanoverChamberFoundation.org/LeadershipHanover. Tuition is $1,800 regularly or $1,500 for Hanover Chamber member companies.

Leadership Hanover is intended for those emerging into or in a new leadership role, in a transitional phase of their career, and lifelong learners. Tap the image below to join this unique opportunity!

Trending Trails, Tracks, and Parks in Ashland, VA

Ashland’s picturesque parks and trails along the tracks make for a full day of fun in the sun. Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month this July at our town’s favorite outdoor venues.

Ashland Trolley Line Trail
Get your steps while you take in history. This 2-mile linear trail follows the historic Ashland-Richmond Trolley Line, extending from 11644 Gwathmey Church Road, at the southern end, to the intersection of Maple Street and England Street in Downtown Ashland.

Carter Park
The centerpiece in the Center of the Universe park system, Carter Park contains a junior Olympic size swimming pool with a slide and kiddie pools, one-half basketball court, a picnic area, playground, and gravel trails through wooded areas.

DeJarnette Park
Eight acres of untamed natural beauty open to hiking, fishing, and biking. 

Kiwanis Pufferbelly Park
Roll up to Pufferbelly Park’s skate park, climb the renovated playground, lounge in the grassy play section, and beat the heat in the shaded picnic area.

Railside Park and Trail
One acre of open space with a picnic table and benches perfect for trainspotting.

South Taylor Street Park
This half acre park packs in a playground, tot lot, picnic area, pavilion, grill, and one-half basketball court.

Stony Run Trail
Bike, walk, hike, or run from the intersection of Ashcake Road and South Center Street over the creek and through the woods.

Town Hall Pavilion
Ashland’s ADA Accessible Pavilion hosts live performance during Ashland Fourth Fridays, is available for rental and free to enjoy from the grass and picnic benches.

Train Watching 
You can’t visit Ashland without trainspotting. More than 40 freight and passenger trains per day pass through the center of our main street. Check out 7 Tips for Railfans to make your visit extra special!

US Bike Routes 1 & 76
The United States’ two cross-country bicycle trails intersect in only one place: Ashland, Virginia. Click here to see a map of the bike routes.

Celebrate Parks and Recreation month with these awesome Ashland events:

“You’ve Been Noticed” awarded to RED VEIN Escape

You can’t help but notice RED VEIN Escape. Their unique artistry has transformed Ashland’s oldest trackside brick building into a destination for original art, immersive storytelling, and an iconic mural. For these investments and ongoing support of the community, Downtown Ashland Association recognizes RED VEIN Escape with the “You’ve Been Noticed” Award!

The “You’ve Been Noticed” award is a fun and friendly way for Downtown Ashland Association and our partners to recognize organizations that make inspiring investments in commercial properties. Since RED VEIN leased the historic space in 2019, the team has rebuilt, rewired, plumbed, painted, and upgraded the space. Additionally, they hired local artist Steph Mayton to paint a spooktacular mural. These are just a few examples of the extensive renovations and artistry made by RED VEIN to build its own business and support neighbors in the Center of the Universe.

“Our artists design some incredible tech so just when guests think they know what to expect, they get something completely different,” says co-owner and operator Kitty Barnes. The escape room now offers three games–20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mark of the Witch, and Phobia–that transport players to another world. Seasonal and mobile games are offered too. “We love how people respond to the startles we include in all of our experiences,” says Kitty. “There is usually lots of laughter… and just a few screams.”

Historic photo courtesy of Ashland Museum

You’re invited to celebrate RED VEIN Escape outside 108 Robinson Street on July 12 at 5:30 PM. Join volunteers and Town of Ashland leaders as we present RED VEIN with the community’s “You’ve Been Noticed” award. It is sure to be a scream.

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.