2008 Previously Held Events
january
January 15, 2008 - Randolph-Macon College honors Dr. King on his birthday. Keynote speaker is Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. Music by R-MC’s Yjima Gospel Choir. Special presentation to Wyatt T. Walker, free. Blackwell Auditorium, 12 noon. (804) 752-3712.
february
February 8 and 9, 2008 - Black History in Story & Song. Mr. Jerome Bridges will provide stories about slavery in the period prior to the Civil War and stories from the heroic Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. Accompanying Mr. Bridges with spirituals and gospel songs from these historic periods will be the George Crawford Memorial Choir from the Providence Park Baptist Church and a Community Chorus including over fifty voices from local church choirs. The Traveling Jubilee Gospel Singers will provide spirited gospels prior to each part of the performance, free. Blackwell Auditorium, R-MC (7:30pm). (804) 798-9721. Sponsored by the Hanover Arts & Activities Center and AARP.
February 16, 2008 - "Chocolate Lovers Party" at First Baptist Church. Photographic displays of marriages that have taken place in the church during the last 150 years. Special feature - singing of wedding songs by a talented vocalist.
February 17, 2008 - Hanover Idols Competition at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center (6:30pm)
February 19, 2008 - Anniversary of actual Incorporation (Ashland Town Council Meeting)
February 20-23: Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang (drama) - Two truly clueless parents blithely raises their son as a girl, putting him in skirts and naming him Daisy. In a series of brilliantly theatrical and wildly hilarious scenes, the saga of Daisy’s struggle to establish his identity continues, despite all obstacles, in this comedy. This drama presentation begins at 8:00pm in the Cobb Theatre, R-MC Center for the Performing Arts. Admission: $5 per person. Reservations: Drama Guild Box Office, 804-752-7316.
February 23, 2008 - Ashland Black History Month Celebration. Join friends and family in a celebration of the contributions of African Americans to the Ashland/Hanover community. Gandy Elementary School cafeteria, free, 7:00pm. Back by popular demand! Come see the Community Choir lead by Lenora Davis from Shiloh Baptist Church. (804) 798-9219. Sponsored by the Town of Ashland.
march
March 2, 2008 - Bach Festival: Richmond Symphony Orchestra at Blackwell Auditorium, R-MC (3:00pm). The Richmond Symphony Orchestra returns under the direction of Associate Conductor Erin Freeman. In this second installment of the Bach Festival series – Turn Bach the Clock – Freeman will guide the musicians through works by Bach, including Cantata No. 4: Christ in lag Todesbanden, as well as Haydn’s Symphony No. 101: The Clock. Admission at the door: $27 for adults, $24 for seniors, $10 for children and $5 for students with valid college ID. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For advance ticket sales, call the Richmond Symphony Box Office at 804-788-1212.
March 15, 2008 - 30th Running of the Ashland Railroad Run. This event is open to both leisurely walkers and serious runners; the 5K walk and 10K run along the railroad tracks are capped off by a music and food filled celebration on the Hanover Arts & Activities Center lawn, $. 9:00am (804) 798-2728. Sponsored by the Hanover Arts & Activities Center.
March 15, 2008 - R-MC Dance Marathon. R-MC students are gearing up to boogey down! Since R-MC began the Dance Marathon tradition in 2002, the college has raised more than $125,000 for various Richmond-area Children’s Miracle Network facilities. This year, students will dance the day away again for this great cause and everyone in the community is invited to join in on the fun and games. Families with children are especially encouraged to attend. All donations will be accepted and appreciated. The Dance Marathon will be held in the Brock Center from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information call 804-752-3712.
March 27, 2008 - 150th Tree Planting Ceremony. Celebrate the 150th Anniversary by planting a tree, free. First Baptist Church, after the 11:00am service. (804) 798-9014. Sponsored by the First Baptist Church.
april
April 15, 2008 - Ashland's Police Department is the smallest law enforcement agency in Virginia to become fully accredited. Please plan to join them in celebrating this wonderful honor. 5:30pm at the Ashland Police Department. A presentation to Town Council will follow at the Town Hall at 7:00pm.
April 19, 2008 - Hanover County Schools Arts & Science Festival at Hanover High School
April 19, 2008 - “Just Off the Tracks.” Visit six properties in Ashland during the Garden Club of Virginia's Historic Garden Week, $. College Avenue, 10:00am-5:00pm. (804) 798-3057 or rosser@mindspring.com for more information.
April 19, 2008 - "Donor Appreciation Day" sponsored by the Retail Merchants Association and the Donate Life Partnership to save lives in Virginia. One organ donor can save 7 lives, restore sight to two people and help many others. Market Ashland Partnership businesses and retailers will have Donate Life volunteers available at their stores during the hours of 10am-4pm. Contact Chip Tompkins at 798-7885 for more information.
April 26, 2008 - Arbor Day Celebration
and Ma-con a Difference Day.
Arbor Day ceremony 9-10:00am, Town Hall. Join us to plant the Town Tree. Refreshments, kids activities and tree information.
We'll also kick off PLANT150 - our effort to plant 150 trees in Ashland to
honor our 150th Anniversary! For information, contact Monica Klisz at
kliszfamily@verizon.net or
798-1366.
April 26, 2008 - Relay for Life. Noon. Patrick Henry High School.
April 26, 2008 - Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale Spring Concert. Led by William Gorton. This concert will feature Schubert’s Mass in G, Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer¸ and other wonderful selections appropriate to the season, $. Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 8:00pm. (804) 368-7276. For news and ticket information, visit www.cvamc.org.
April 30, 2008 - A Taste of Hanover. 6:00-9:00pm at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Hanover Arc and the Hanover Community Support Services are two private non-profits joining together to sponsor A Taste of Hanover to benefit people with disabilities. $30.00/Adults, $10/5-12 years, free for children under 5. caterers, chefs & restaurants, fabulous gifts and live music & entertainment. For more information and to purchase sponsorships or tickets, please contact Patti Feyerabend at 798-2400 or Patti@hanoverarc.org.
may
May 1, 2008 - Have you called Ashland "home" for more than 50 years? Come to the R-MC football field for a photo. 6:00pm. Rain date is May 8.
May 4, 2008 - Randolph-Macon College Spring Choral Concert. Swing into spring as the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Jazz Vocal Ensemble perform their Spring Choral Concert: Poetry in Song. R-MC’s finest voices will bring to life works from some of the world’s most well-known poets, free. Blackwell Auditorium, 2:00pm. (804) 752-3712.
May 4, 2008 - High Tea in Hanover benefiting the Hilliard House (a homeless shelter for women and children) at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. 1:30-4:00pm at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Fashion and High Tea from 1858 and 2008! Beautiful Spring flowers and Spring fashions, choices of tea and assorted tea sandwiches and deserts. Great Mother's Day tradition! Great way to celebrate Ashland's 150! Tickets: $15 adult/ $5.00 under 12. Call Carolyn Peart 798-9131 or carolyn.peart@verizon.net for tickets. Limited seating so purchase ahead of time. Remaining tickets at the door:
May 10, 2008 -
The Ashland 150 Clunker Cruise.
Bicycle Cruise around Ashland; meet at Cobblestone Bicycles (102
South Railroad Ave). If you have an old or unique bicycle, please bring it!
5:00pm.
May 11, 2008 - Bach Festival: Richmond Symphony Orchestra. In this final installment of the Bach Festival series, Bach to Bach, concertmaster Karen Johnson and special guest and violin prodigy, 13-year-old Madison Vest, will treat concertgoers to Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins as well as his Orchestral Suite No. 3, and also arrangements by Schoenberg and Villa-Lobos, $. Blackwell Auditorium, R-MC, 3:00pm. Call the Richmond Symphony Box Office at (804) 788-1212.
May 11, 2008 - Mother's Day
May 15, 2008 - Hanover County Volunteer’s Picnic
May 17, 2008 - Spring into Summer Plaza Street Party Family fun. Come party away the evening in the “Center of the Universe.” Games for the kids, food, beverages and dancin’ in the street, $. Richard S. Gillis Library, 6:30pm-10:00pm. (804) 798-8130.
May 31, 2008 - Randolph-Macon College Graduation
june
June 7, 2008 - 26th Annual Ashland Strawberry Faire. Enjoy fresh picked strawberries, or enjoy them in one of the delicious recipes cooked up by the food vendors. Strawberry shortcake, hundreds of booths, arts and crafts, and entertainment, free. Randolph Macon College, 9:00am–5:00pm. (804) 798-8289.
June 14, 2008 - Hanover County High School Graduations
June 28, 2008 - AKA Centennial Walk to promote emotional, spiritual, and physical health while honoring the 100 years of service provided by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Walk starts at 11:00am (Registration starts --10:00am). Walk starts at Randolph-Macon College's Blackwell Auditorium. Walk Length: Total ~2 miles (along Railroad Ave--to the trail--and return to Blackwell). Parking on the Street & behind Blackwell Auditorium.
july
July 4, 2008 - 4th of July Parade. You are welcome to join in or watch our non-motorized patriotic. July 4th walking parade from the corner of Henry Clay Road and Railroad Avenue, just north of the Henry Clay Inn, to the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Celebrate our country’s birthday on the lawn at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center with an apple pie baking contest, used book sale and patriotic melodies by Hanover Concert Band. Bring a picnic lunch or buy delicious food, free. 11:00am. (804) 798-2728. Sponsored by the Hanover Arts & Activities Center.
July 5, 2008 - 29th Annual Hanover Tomato Festival & Heritage Fair. Celebration honoring Hanover’s finest fruit and its heritage! Find the renowned tomato for purchase fresh from the field or in a variety of recipes waiting for you to sample. Enjoy more than 100 arts and craft vendors, a variety of entertainment, an assortment of children’s activities, and exhibits on the history of the Hanover tomato. Discover Hanover’s heritage from displays and demonstrations such as the Native American Heritage Demonstration, free. Pole Green Park, 8:30am–4:00pm. (804) 550-4705. www.co.hanover.va.us/parksrec/
July 19, 2008 - Midsummer’s Night Plaza Street Party. Party family fun. Come party away the evening in the “Center of the Universe.” Games for the kids, food, beverages and dancin’ in the street, $. Richard S. Gillis Library, 6:30pm-10:00pm. (804) 798-8130. Sponsored by Ashland Street Parties.
July 27, 2008 - Bluemont Concert. Sponsored by the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. 804-798-2728.