Contributed report
Looking for something sweet to do this Saturday? The Ashland Strawberry Faire is a sure bet for “berry good” time!
Since 1982, folks of all ages have come to play, enjoy strawberries, visit friends, listen to music, pet animals, and shop for unique items and special treats. Best of all, the Faire is free! The Ashland Strawberry Faire is a non-profit organization working in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Ashland. Proceeds from the Faire go back to the community in the form of non-profit support and scholarships for Hanover County Public Schools, the Hanover Center for Trades and Technology, and Randolph-Macon College.
Think you have the most strawberry spirit? The “Spirit of the Faire” will be chosen from among Faire guests and vendors. Between 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., the Faire committee will be seeking contestants for the coveted title. The winner will be announced at Blackwell stage at 11:30 a.m.
People are also reading…
What to expect at
the 42nd FaireVisit 300+ vendors on Henry Street, Patrick Street, Caroline Street and Sweet Lane by the college dorms. There are Arts & Crafts vendors, Hanover County businesses, non-profit groups, and government services folks from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Village Bank to serve as Presenting SponsorVillage Bank is once again proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Ashland Strawberry Faire. As a local community bank, Village has been proudly serving the Greater Richmond area since 1999, with nine convenient branch locations, including Sliding Hill and Mechanicsville.
In addition to the bank’s dedication to exceptional banking experiences, Village Bank is deeply invested in the well-being of the community. As Stephen Lock, Village Bank’s Community Engagement Manager expresses, “Community events play a vital role in fostering vibrant neighborhoods, just like the Faire’s contributions to funding scholarships for Hanover students. By rallying around local initiatives and non-profit organizations, we believe in building stronger, more supportive communities for everyone.”
And speaking of serving, this year Sliding Hill branch manager Mark Halstead will be tasting his way through the Strawberry Goodie Contest as a judge! He is excited to be a part of the Faire once again, telling his colleagues, “This is a role I have been training for all my life.”
TrolleysA big thank you to Trolley sponsors Leaf Filter and Cascades! Thanks to them, we can keep the Trolleys free for our guests. Be sure to visit them at their booths near the intersection of Henry and W. Patrick Streets and thank them.
Trolley runs start at 10 a.m. There are two runs (Trolley #1 and Trolley #2). Please note which Trolley you are getting on and make sure to return on the same trolley.
Trolley #1 NORTH:
Hanover County Human Services – 12300 S Washington Hwy
Hanover County School Board – 200 Berkeley Street
Trolley #2 SOUTH:
St. Ann’s Church – 105 S Snead Street
First Baptist Church of Ashland – 800 Thompson Street
Food CourtCome hungry to feast at the Food Court on Caroline Street, sponsored by Shurm Homes. Enjoy lots of traditional festival food including crabcakes, funnel cakes, corn dogs, burgers, fries, fried Oreos, chicken tenders, pizza and more!
New for 2024: Sweet Lane
Looking for some yummy treats and special gifts? Sweet Lane, sponsored by Pella, is the place to go!
Pet PageantThe Pet Pageant, sponsored by Fin & Feather Pet Center of Ashland, returns to the Hanover in Action Pavilion on Henry Street at noon. Enjoy the friendly antics of MC Sean Kennedy, as he leads the charge to find the “Berry Best” Pet in town!
Kid ZoneThe Faire hosts a large Kid Zone by the R-MC Library with a bounce house, “Berry” Walk, and lots of games and prizes! The Town of Ashland is sponsoring this year’s Kid Zone and they are bringing lots of good fun, too! Funds raised at the Kid Zone benefit Comfort Zone Camp.
Hanover In Action Pavilion schedule10 a.m. Silver Sneakers @Cool Spring Rec Center
10:30 a.m. Momentum Dance Center
11 a.m. 804 Dance Company
11:30 a.m. Audience Participation (Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Wobble Wobble & more!)
12 p.m. PET PAGEANT, sponsored by Fin & Feather of Ashland
1 p.m. Audience Participation (Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Wobble Wobble & more!)
1:30 p.m. Jazzercise Mechanicsville
Cardio Sculpt @Cool Spring Rec Center
2 p.m. CHAIRONE Fitness @Cool Spring Rec Center
2:30 p.m. Ashland Figure Skating Team
3 p.m. Jazzercise Mechanicsville
Sculpt @Cool Spring Rec Center
3:30 p.m. Jazzercise Mechanicsville
Cardio Sculpt @Cool Spring Rec Center
4 p.m. Audience Participation (Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Wobble Wobble & more!)
Blackwell Stage schedule10 a.m. Hanover County Concert Band, the “Musical Ambassadors of Hanover County,” celebrating 35 years!
11:30 a.m. “Star Spangled Banner” sung by Hanover Idol Rebekah Turner
2024 Scholarship Program
2024 “Spirit of the Faire” announced!
12 p.m. Sanctified Power Band
3 p.m. Simply Us
'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); }
