By Rob St.Germain, Contributing Writer

What brings people to events like Ashland Day? For many, it was the promise of a fun time, especially for the kids. Others came just to see what was offered and perhaps for a taste of street food. For participants, it was an opportunity to show their stuff. For the committee and volunteers working hard to make it happen, it was the satisfaction of seeing it all come together and watching so many people enjoying themselves.

And enjoy they did! Stone Park, the Ashland Day location, was alive with positive energy!

Ashland Day 2025 was held on Saturday, October 4. It was a wonderful success and a welcome change from the heavy rains experienced in Ashland Day 2024. The glorious fall day complemented the valiant efforts of the organizing committee to get the word out in a very compressed timeframe.  The committee – Select Board members Claudia Bennett and Brandi Kinsman, Chrissy Reynolds of Annemarie’s Dance Center and Ashland Business Association, and Josh Wiczer, Ashland High School Teacher and Student Council Advisor – were able to organize quickly, secure funding, and, with the help of volunteers, provide Ashland with a lively town event.

Attendance estimates varied, but most people who asked thought it was a better-than-ample turnout of folks from Ashland and surrounding towns.

Aerial view of Ashland Day event. Courtesy photo from the A-day collection

In addition to the many attractions for young and old, eleven food vendors made sure that everyone had plenty to eat. The festival featured face-painting, a petting zoo, and five bouncy houses for kids. There were 73 booths/tents representing town committees and organizations, including nineteen Ashland High School groups. Also represented were churches, banks, a cruise company, and other commercial enterprises. The Friends of the Library had a book sale at the library, but offered ‘make-your-own-buttons’ at the Stone Park event, and the Future Masters Chess Academy featured a human-sized chess game. Some folks enjoyed touring Ashland’s bright red fire trucks, including the long, extended ladder.

Many families visited the Town Forest table and left with small bird feeders made by their kids. The Town booth had pumpkins to decorate and take home. Thank you to everyone who contributed dance, music, fencing, and martial arts performances. For local merchants and organizations, it was a chance to get the word out about the many services that are available in this dynamic community.  

Ashland Day proved to be an event in which the town shows the world what a thriving, active community looks like.  

One of the highlights of the day was the Ashland Citizen of the Year award. This year’s winners (because there were two) were Bonnie and Steve Mitchell. 

A new award, the town’s first ‘Clocker of the Year’ award, was presented to Select Board Chair Joe Magnani for his dedication to the town and for his long-term guidance and inspiration for many years of Ashland Days. Select Board member, Claudia Bennett, described it as a lifetime achievement award for his thirty-eight years of work on Ashland Days.

“Joe is in the DNA of Ashland and in all of us,” added Karen Spilka, longtime Ashland resident and Massachusetts Senate President.

The broad significance of Ashland Day was summed up by Town Manager, Michael Herbert, “This event happens because people care...and it shows.”

 The many photos of the day’s activities can be found at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ashlandday2025.

Congratulation Ashland!