Ashland Day

This year is the 40th year celebrating Ashland Day! Join the Ashland Day committee and countless vendors on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Stone Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to take place in the celebration.

Ashland Day is a fan-favorite community event, combining everything people love about Ashland. Local businesses, community groups, and student organizations this is the perfect event to come and celebrate the town! With opportunities to learn about community groups and help school organizations with their fundraising efforts by participating in an activity or game. All Ashland Day’s activities and entertainment will appeal to a broad range of ages and cultures, 

We hope you will stop by Stone Park for the fun and to make great memories and connections!

Dragonfly Street Faire

 

The Dragonfly Street Faire is back and better than ever! Head to Downtown Ashland on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1-6 p.m. for shopping, music, entertainment, plus food and beverage. Main Street will be closed to vehicles to create a downtown Faire not to be missed! 

The Dragonfly Street Faire spans from The Corner Spot to the corner of Front Street. The downtown sidewalks will be lined with vendors selling their products, and there will be street performers strolling throughout downtown. This event has been designed for all ages! There will be kids' events and activities, shopping, and food and beverages for all to partake in. If you are interested in popping up as a vendor, please contact [email protected]. For more information and to see what's happening, go to www.thecornerspotashland.com. 

Plus save the date for FallFest! Coming Saturday, Oct. 24 from 3-6 p.m. at The Corner Spot!

Message from the Building Commissioner

For most people, your home is the most important investment that you make. Many of you have work done on your house over time. It is important for you to understand what happens once you hire a contractor or attempt to work on your house. 

Under state law: A homeowner may apply for their own building permit, and a contractor may apply for a permit for your home. It is assumed by the state that the person applying for the building permit is knowledgeable in the various codes and their requirements on what and how you can perform work. This includes applying for permits and getting the proper inspections done. 

If you hire a contractor, you should be asking for a copy of the permit before they start work. Permits are required to be posted at the house where work is being performed. It is also recommended that a homeowner not make a final payment until you are shown the permit with a final sign-off, showing the date of the inspection and the signature of the building official. 

Posted on AshlandMass.Com under Inspection Services is a list of work requiring a construction supervisor's license and a home improvement license. Our office is here to help you; feel free to email us at [email protected] to ask any questions. 

Stone Park Music Festival

The Stone Park Music Festival (SPMF) will return to Stone Park in Ashland on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. We invite everyone to join us in experiencing the magic of music in fall! 

Founded in 2022, the Stone Park Music Festival was created to bring the joy of music to the community. The SPMF has been inviting distinguished artists to celebrate wonderful music in nature at the heart of Ashland, Stone Park, and has continued expanding its programs and artists every year to introduce a rich program performed by acclaimed artists including faculty members at New England Conservatory, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, and beyond. Audience members will have the opportunity to hear a wide range of repertoire, from beloved masterpieces to engaging and inspiring works that showcase the richness and diversity of classical music and other musical genres. 

This year's festival program includes a piano trio transcription of Schönberg's Verklärte Nacht, performed by the Aegis Piano Trio: Daniel Kurganov (violin), Daniel Lelchuk (cello), and Constantine Finehouse (piano); Jean Françaix’s wind quartet and Marcel Bitsch’s Divertissement, performed by the wind quartet consisting of Nicholas Brown (clarinet), Amanda Hardy (oboe), Hayley Miller (flute), and Meryl Summers (bassoon); a mix of original material from Lyle Brewer's albums Juno, Get It Together, and Promise Ring, performed by Lyle Brewer (guitar); and an opening performance of Chopin's Fantaisie, performed by Grace Soonjoo Moon (piano).

The Stone Park Music Festival offers a unique concert experience by bringing audiences closer to both the music and the artists, allowing audience members to enjoy live performances up close and meet the performers after the concert. For aspiring musicians and students, it is an inspiring opportunity to connect with accomplished performers, ask questions, and experience the world of classical music as well as other musical genres.  

You can immerse yourself in wonderful performances under the open sky in a peaceful outdoor setting and create lasting memories at the Stone Park Music Festival, where music and nature intertwine. Last year, many community members shared how deeply they were touched by the performances after the festival. Some audience members even said that the concert “took them to a different place,” where their souls were lifted. It was very touching to hear their reflections.

The concert is free and open to everyone, regardless of age or background. You can experience inspiring performances, meaningful connections, and the magic of music in one place: the Stone Park Music Festival. 

The Stone Park Music Festival is made possible through the generous sponsorship and partnerships of the Boston Athletic Association, Mass Cultural Council, Ashland Cultural Council, Falcetti Pianos, SPS, and the Town of Ashland, who share the festival’s vision of bringing high-quality classical music and different musical genres to the community free of charge. We also thank all the volunteers and staff members who generously provide their time and effort to help make the festival successful. 

We look forward to taking you on another amazing musical journey on Sept. 12 at the Stone Park Music Festival! For more information about the festival and artists, please visit the Stone Park Music Festival website. www.stonemusicfestival.com . 

By Grace Soonjoo Moon, Director of the SPMF  

Ashland Public Safety Night Recap

Public Safety Day is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity to build relationships, strengthen community partnerships, and give residents a closer look at the dedicated men and women who serve them every day. From K9 demonstrations and emergency response displays to interactive activities and local businesses showcasing their services, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Events like this would not be possible without the teamwork and dedication of so many individuals and organizations working together behind the scenes. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who helped plan, set up, participate in, and make this event a success.

Most importantly, we want to thank the members of our community who came out to spend the day with us. It was wonderful to meet so many families, answer questions, and showcase the outstanding work of our officers and public safety professionals.

We are grateful for the continued support of our community and are already looking forward to making next year’s Public Safety Day even bigger and better!