Ashland Day, boasting its 32nd year, is a fun, family-friendly environment that will celebrate community pride over two days, starting with the traditional Friday night auction on Sept. 15, followed by a full day on Saturday, Sept. 16 with an exciting line up of games and amusements; a petting zoo; more than 100 student- and community-run booths, including local artisans and crafts vendors, along with the Ashland Lions’ Food Truck and their Eye Mobile.
Traditional Friday
Night Auction
Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, early-bird auction goers may preview all the exceptional items on hand at the American Legion, James O. Carey Post 77, at 40 Summer St., get their bids in mind, and enjoy a home-cooked buffet meal at $5.00 per guest. Bill Gath and Teri Wysor will be on hand, again, as auctioneers, enticing bidders with the many donations ranging from 40-inch flat screen high-definition televisions to the latest eight-inch Amazon Echo “smart” speaker, using the Alexa Voice System, which plays music, provides information, news, sports scores and more. The growing list of auction items may be found online at www.ashlandday.com.
Show Your Clocker Pride
“We anticipate another memorable day with upwards of 12,000 community members participating,” Ashland Day Committee Chair Bill Gath said. “We’re pleased to host an event that has gained a growing reputation in MetroWest. Families come early, picnic together, enjoy the festivities, and stay late.”
It all takes place on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Stone Park. Starting at the Pavilion, the annual children’s bicycle parade to the town Gazebo will kick off the day-long celebration. Youngsters will decorate their bikes with an eye toward capturing a special trophy for most unique-looking cycle. Other distinctive highlights include the mid-morning awards ceremony and the Ashland Farmers Market (housed along the park’s basketball court area) to make local shopping even more convenient and accessible.
All-day-ride wristbands will be sold at the park on event day, Saturday, Sept. 16.
Act Now: Honor
Outstanding Residents
Each year, there is an opportunity to honor and recognize two outstanding Ashland residents in a ceremony at which local officials and government representatives present the awards and provide proclamations.
Nominations are still open for the Grand Marshall and Citizen of the Year awards and will be accepted up until 12 noon on Thursday, September 7. Direct your nominations to the Ashland Day Committee and drop them off at Town Hall, 101 Main St.
The Grand Marshall award promotes the contributions of those whose time and resources help make Ashland great, and the Citizen of the Year award – renamed the Carl “Rick” Ghilani Citizen of the Year award in 1992 after a well-known former Selectman and Ashland firefighter – honors outstanding community involvement.
“We have amazing donors and amazing volunteers,” Gath added. “Together, we do everything we can to make this an event that every resident will enjoy.”
According to Gath, members of the Ashland Day Committee work tirelessly year-round by hosting a variety of special events, including Family Movie Nights at Stone Park, the Halloween Parade, the town’s Holiday Lighting and the like, to raise funds to support this day of community pride.
To volunteer or secure more details, visit ashlandday.com and facebook.com/AshlandDay or email ashlandday@gmail.com.
Award Nominations Due Sept. 7; Auction Sept. 15 & Day-long Celebration Sept. 16
Issue Date:
September, 2017
Article Body: