Don’t be late for the parade — it will start at 9:30 to beat some of the heat — and don’t forget the pancake breakfast, the 10K and 2-mile runs, the jet flyover, and the music and festivities in Lithia Park
By Jim Flint for Ashland.news
Ashland is set to sparkle this Fourth of July with a full day of festivities — from a flapjack-fueled morning and spirited community runs to a dazzling flyover, a lively parade, music, performances and family fun in Lithia Park.
Get ready for one of the town’s most spirited celebrations of the year.
It all starts at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Elks Lodge at 255 E Main St., served until 9:30. The runs, sponsored by Ashland Parks & Recreation, also begin at 7:30.
The runs
There will be two runs: a 2-mile fun run and a 10K. The 10K attracts local competitors as well as running talent from around the country. The routes are scenic and on closed roadways. A section of the 10K route is along the tree-lined Bear Creek Greenway.
The 7:30 starting time for the runs is new this year. Runs are chip-timed, and the starting time will remain open until 7:45 a.m. All ages are welcome. The event is a fundraiser for the Ashland and Pheonix High School cross-country teams.
New parade start time
The Ashland parade will begin at 9:30 a.m., half an hour earlier than in the past.
“We hope that pulling things forward will help with avoiding some of the afternoon heat,” said Dana Preston, membership and business development director for the Ashland Chamber of Commerce.
With the theme “Celebrating the Magic of Community,” the chamber chose OSF Artistic Director Tim Bond to serve as parade grand marshal.
“We couldn’t think of a better organization and individual to lead the parade,” Preston said. “What better way to celebrate the magic of Ashland than OSF, celebrating its 90th anniversary with Tim Bond at the creative helm.”
A jet fighter flyover will provide an aerial salute in the skies over Ashland at about 9:35 a.m.
Even with school out, Ashland’s young musicians will be marching strong, as schools combine forces in a spirited band.
Folks who cannot attend the parade in person can watch it livestreamed on the chamber’s website: ashlandchamber.com.
Activities in the park
After the parade, people can enjoy activities, music, and performances In Lithia Park.
Musical performances will fill the Butler Bandshell, starting with the Ashland City Band. Then the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps will play, followed by and Nina and the Notes. Performances are expected to begin sometime between 11 a.m. and noon.
“The corps is a really big deal,” Preston said. “This group appears throughout the country and around the world.”
Their performance is set to start around or 1:30 p.m. It is sandwiched between the corps’ gigs in Portland on July 3 and in Sacramento July 5.
“There are 166 members in the group,” Preston said. “They performed for us in 2018 and it was amazing. We’re really happy to have them back.”
Nina and the Notes will be the last group performing in the bandshell, at about 2 p.m. They have performed in Ashland at the OSF Green Show, at Ashland sidewalk celebrations, the Martin Luther King community event and during the holidays.
“They are a classic R&B/soul cover band from Ashland,” Preston said, “led by the powerful vocals of award-winning singer Juanita Davis. We think they’ll have you singing and dancing the afternoon away.”
Historic readings, food and crafts, fun and games
Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham will address the crowd from the bandshell early on, along with a delegation from Ashland’s sister city, Guanajuato, Mexico. There will be a reading of the Gettysburg Address and the Declaration of Independence. And — new this year — there will be a recitation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride.”
In the park and along Winburn Way there will be food and craft vendors and a performance by Ashland Aerial Arts.
In the grassy area by the Butler-Perozzi Fountain will be children’s games and activities. It will include face painting and a balloon artist, sponsored by ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum.
Ashland’s Fourth of July celebration offers something for everyone. With the parade, the live music, food and family activities, it’s a full day of community fun in the heart of town.
For updates and more information, visit ashlandchamber.com.
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
