Town anniversary's main event
By BILL DORAN (Herald Progress)
Ashland residents are used to great community parties and events. For the upcoming 150th anniversary main event they will be blown away.
The Main Event committee met for the first time on Jan 30. Sue Watson and Lorie Foley led the discussion laying out possible activities for the Oct. 18 celebration.
"First and foremost we envision this to be a family event," said Watson. "We want to focus on the birthday celebration theme, complete with birthday cake and ice cream. Our goal would be to have 150 cakes. We would look for these to be donated for the celebration. Of course we would have a community singing of 'Happy Birthday' before blowing out the candles."
The event will be centered on the campus of Randolph-Macon College. There will be plenty of children's activities throughout the day. These would include some simple old fashion games, such as cake walks, face painting, and art creations that can be hung in local businesses around town.
Additionally they are looking at sporting activities for young and old alike. Some suggestions involved the R-MC girls' basketball team organizing games in the old gym, or the Patrick Henry football team organizing a pick-up game with the kids. Another suggestion was for someone to organize community softball or baseball games.
"We can get in touch with the Ashland Little League or the Ashland Girls Softball League to organize the games," suggested Charles Hartgrove, Town Manager.
The committee was looking for volunteers to design the invitations that can be mailed to every family in town. Cheryl Lindgren, the first lady of R-MC, suggested that the invitations be hand delivered by community volunteers. "This would not only help on postage costs, but would give it that personal touch," suggested Lindgren.
At some point in the day the residents will be invited to the R-MC football stadium for presentations. Many special guests will be invited to the celebration and honored at this part of the event. The honorary chairs, Faye Prichard, Mayor, and Robert Lindgren, President of R-MC, would be honored. In addition the committee will recognize members of Town Council, members of the Team 150 leadership team, and many other elected officials on hand.
During the gathering at the football stadium, the crowd would be entertained by several local groups. Some possible suggestions were a children's chorus, led by Susan Winckler singing "Ashland, Ashland," the Patrick Henry Marching Band, a high stepping college band, and the possibility of putting together a county-wide marching band made up of all the schools in the county.
Additionally, there will be a new time capsule filled, and if the one from 50 years ago is ever found, they will open that one. "We are still trying to find someone who remembers where it was buried," said Josh Farrar, Assistant Town Manager. This time around the Town plans on having a public record of the location, to avoid losing it again.
The committee is also talking with resident, Barclay DuPriest, to lead a five-minute dramatic presentation about Ashland. The committee then envisions a community march to the train station to dedicate a new train clock, led by either the All-County marching band or the Patrick Henry marching band.
The final event of the day would be a concert in Brock Center. "We are in discussion with several bands to perform at the concert," said Foley. "We are hoping for a nationally known artist or band for the concert." plans get underway