Fall Fest

Don’t forget to stop by The Corner Spot on Saturday, Oct. 24 between 1-3 p.m. for Fall Fest! Enjoy live music from Hit the Bus Band, fun for the kids with Imagine That Face Painting and fall carnival games, plus plenty of delicious food and drinks. Savor bites from Dulce D Leche, sweet treats from Refreshin' Concessions, and beverages for our 21+ guests from Wine Empire.

Downtown Trick or Treat

The annual trick-or-treating event is happening again in downtown Ashland on Wednesday, Oct. 28,  from 4:30-6:30 p.m.! All three floors of Ashland Town Hall will be decorated for the holiday, and staff members will be in costume, ready to hand out tons of candy and treats! We're inviting all kids and families from our community to come together for some Halloween fun. Dress up in your favorite costumes and come trick-or-treat!  

After Town Hall, be sure to visit participating businesses in the downtown area. You will receive a map at Town Hall of all the stops to visit. Don't miss out on this fantastic community event. We can't wait to see your costumes and celebrate Halloween together!

Design Review Committee – Expertise Needed

The Ashland Planning Board is seeking professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and other related design and construction industries to serve periodically on short-term design review committees.  

The Board will maintain a roster of professionals willing to serve and will reach out to those individuals when a proposed project is required to have design review under the Ashland bylaws. Professionals on the roster will then be able to decide whether they are available and willing to serve on the committee for the particular project.  Design review committees will consist of 3 to 5 members and will likely have 1 to 3 meetings depending on the size and complexity of the proposed project.  In addition to design and construction professionals, a local business owner may also be a part of the committee.

To apply, please fill out the Talent Bank form at:

https://www.ashlandmass.com/formcenter/talent-bank-form-16/talent-bank-form-56

Or for questions, please contact Tricia Kendall at [email protected]

Ashland’s Annual Holiday Program

Dear Community Member, we hope this letter finds you well as you prepare for the 2026 holiday season! The holiday season is a time of joy and connection, but it can also bring added stress for families experiencing financial challenges, housing instability, or food insecurity. To help ease some of this burden and bring holiday cheer to children in our community, the Ashland Community Center, in partnership with the Department of Prevention and Human Services, invites you to participate in our Annual Holiday Program. There are several meaningful ways to get involved:

Option one: Sponsor a Child. You (or a group) can sponsor one or more children by providing approximately $100–$200 per child in gifts. Sponsors will receive: Clothing and shoe sizes, favorite colors, hobbies and interests, and gift suggestions provided by the child’s parent or guardian. Please note: To ensure fairness and maintain consistency among participating families, we are unable to accommodate requests to sponsor a child based on a specific age or gender. 

Option two: Donate “Filler Gifts.” Filler gifts help us support additional children and families throughout the holiday season, including last-minute requests or situations where additional gifts are needed. Examples include: 

-  Art supplies, books, and journals

-  Hats, gloves, scarves, and socks 

-  Fidget toys, puzzles, and dolls 

- Teen items 

-  Water bottles, jackets, and character-themed items

-  Makeup, nail polish, and Pokémon cards.

This year, we are also seeing an increased need for new winter coats for older children and teens, particularly in larger youth and teen sizes.  

Option three: Donate Gift Cards. Gift cards provide families with flexibility and allow them to select items that best fit their needs. They can also give families the opportunity to enjoy special experiences together. Suggested gift cards include: 

-  Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Grocery Stores, & local restaurants 

-  Target, Walmart, Old Navy, and TJ Maxx

-  AMC, mini golf, laser tag, and Dave & Buster’s 

-  Amazon, PlayStation, Xbox, and Barnes & Noble

-  CVS, Walgreens, and other local retailers 

We hope to begin matching sponsors and children as soon as possible. If you would like to participate, please complete the application by Oct. 15, 2026. 2026 Holiday Sponsor Application: https://tinyurl.com/AshlandHolidayProgram

Drop-off Dates: Monday, Dec. 7, 2026 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026 | 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Thank you for your generosity and for helping make the holiday season brighter for children and families in our community. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. Kindly, Your friends at the Ashland Community Center 

National Drug Take Back Day

The Drug Take Back Day will be held at the Ashland Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Ashland Community Center is located at 162 West Union Street.

#TakeBackDay is a free event for communities nationwide to properly dispose of old and unneeded medications safely and anonymously. Bring those old and unneeded medications to a collection site near you: www.DEATakeBack.com 

Ashland Clocker Club 5k

The first ever "Beat the Clock" race is happening Sunday, Oct. 25, beginning at 9 a.m. This is a fun community event that supports all sports programs at Ashland High School and Middle School through the nonprofit Ashland Clocker Club! Register by Oct. 6 for a free T-shirt. Sign up for the 5 K:  https://runsignup.com/race/ma/ashland/clockerclub5kfundraiser

The Clocker Club is dedicated to the support and advancement of all the athletic programs at Ashland High School and Middle School by promoting the purpose, pride, and performance of all student-athletes. We provide support through financial and volunteer assistance to athletic programs, coaches, and student-athletes. Visit their website: www.clockerclub.org

Fill the Cruiser!

Ashland Police & Market Basket Team Up to Support the Ashland Food Pantry. Oct. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

The Ashland Police Department is once again asking our community to come together and help our neighbors in need.

On Oct. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., members of the Ashland Police Department will partner with Market Basket for a special “Fill the Cruiser” Food Drive benefiting the Ashland Food Pantry.

As we head into the holiday season, the need for food and household essentials continues to grow. Our goal is simple: fill an Ashland Police cruiser with donations—and then keep filling it!

Community members are encouraged to stop by Market Basket while shopping and donate nonperishable food, personal care products, and other needed pantry items. Every donation, large or small, helps ensure that local families have the support they need heading into the holidays.

Let’s fill the Ashland Food Pantry before the holidays!

The success of these events is possible because of the incredible generosity of the Ashland community. Our residents and local businesses have consistently stepped up when neighbors need a helping hand, and we hope to see that same community spirit again this October.

The Ashland Police Department is proud to partner with Market Basket and the Ashland Food Pantry for an event that brings together public safety, local businesses, and residents for one common purpose: helping our community take care of one another.

Food Drive Details

Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Market Basket – Ashland. Benefiting the Ashland Food Pantry.

Bring a donation. Fill the cruiser. Help fill the pantry. Together, we can make a difference before the holidays. 

Musicologie 

Musicologie Ashland officially opened with their ribbon-cutting at 90 Chestnut Street (The Asher apartment complex)! Musicologie is a student-focused music school that is unabashedly passionate about providing simply delightful music lessons to musicians of all ages and skill levels. They specialize in one-on-one private lessons and also provide group classes, summer programs, special workshops, and performances. Every student is different, with unique goals, capabilities, and needs to be met. One of the core strengths of Musicologie is its adaptability, using both proprietary and third-party curriculum to meet the needs of every student.