Ultimate Guide to Ashland Train Day, 2026

Ashland Train Day through the lens of Rick Kidd Photography

There are small towns that host events, and then there is Ashland—where, once a year, the rails don’t just carry trains, they carry a community.

On Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ashland Train Day returns for its 22nd year, transforming historic downtown into something that feels less like a festival and more like a living story—one that unfolds along the tracks, between neighbors, across generations, and through the unmistakable rhythm of passing trains. Made possible in large part by signature sponsors Renewal by Andersen, Amtrak Virginia, and Virtual Railfan, the day stands as both a celebration and a testament to what sustained partnership can build over time.

Volunteers at Ashland Train Day

To walk into Ashland on Train Day is to immediately sense that this isn’t accidental. It is built, piece by piece, by people who care deeply about where they live and who they share it with. Volunteers are not only welcomed but cared for, with Minuteman Press of Ashland providing apparel, coffee from The Caboose Market & Cafe, meals from Chick-fil-A Center of the Universe, and lunch offerings from Strawberry Street Catering and Jersey Mike’s. Headquarters at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center hum with coordination and purpose, while the Ashland Volunteer Fire Department and Hanover Safe Place ensure that care and safety remain ever-present outside—visible in the background, but felt throughout.

And then there is the arrival.

Amtrak riders arrive at Ashland Train Day

For many, the journey begins not with traffic, but with a train. Amtrak Virginia invites visitors to turn a single day into a full weekend of railroad wonder, delivering passengers directly to the Ashland-Hanover Visitors Center in the heart of the festivities. That arrival becomes an experience in itself—one that opens the door to a slower, more intentional stay. With an Amtrak ticket in hand, the weekend stretches further: a visit to The Shop at 112 reveals carefully curated vintage finds, The Henry Clay Inn offers a Railroad Grab & Go Picnic perfect for an afternoon along the tracks, and Revival Spa provides a chance to rest and recharge. Together, they transform a visit into something more immersive—an invitation to linger.

Others arrive by car, guided by thoughtfully organized park-and-ride routes at Ashland Junction Shopping Center and Ashland Hanover Shopping Center, where stops along the way—from Around the Table to La Catrina Tortilleria and XtraSuite Salon Studios—become part of the experience. At First Baptist Church, families are welcomed with water, indoor restrooms, and space to pause with inviting vendors before heading in. All shuttle routes are handicap accessible, with additional accessible parking available at the former Henry Clay Elementary School and at Huddle Up, ensuring that every guest can arrive with ease.

For those seeking flexibility, GRTC’s on-demand LINK service offers another way in. Riders can book trips through the GRTC on the Go app or by phone, selecting pick-up points within the service zone and enjoying a comfortable, shared ride into downtown. It is a system designed with intention—one that reflects the broader care woven throughout Train Day itself.

New Community Church’ Kid Zone

From that moment on, the day opens in every direction.

Children are drawn toward the joyful motion of the Kid Zone at the Ashland Branch Library, made possible by New Community Church, where On The Fly Events fills the space with bounce houses and an obstacle course. Nearby, families settle onto hay bales provided by Ashland Feed Store, sharing sweet moments with treats from Farmview Creamery, American Fruity Smoothies, The Local Cup, Fun Stuff 4 Kids, Joys Delightz, and Kona Ice. Some linger a little longer, discovering Little Wonders Play Co, browsing The TBR Shelf, or connecting with Macaroni Kid RVA and Embrace Foster.

Inside the library, Matthew Dodd’s storytelling brings trains to life through voice and imagination, while RANTRAK (Richmond Area NTRAK) reveals the intricate world of model railroading, blending creativity with STEAM through hands-on exhibits. Just outside, Friends of the Ashland Library extends the invitation to young readers through a children’s book sale, while MoJohn’s Porta Potties and the steady work of St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus ensure the day remains as comfortable as it is engaging.

Vendors at Ashland Train Day

Along the streets, something remarkable happens. Shops, vendors, artists, and makers don’t compete for attention—they contribute to a shared experience, one that unfolds organically with each step. Food arrives in the same spirit. Local restaurants open their doors while food trucks gather in the Ashland Municipal Parking Lot and Hanover Arts and Activities Center, creating a landscape of flavors that reflects both Ashland’s character and its welcome to the wider world.

And always, there is movement.

Music carries through downtown as Center Street Sound Company sets the tone from the Pavilion, while performances unfold across the event—from Free Jambalaya and Friends at Slipped Disc to Ashland Dance Academy and the Hanover Concert Band on the lawn of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Even Santa makes an appearance, a reminder that Train Day embraces wonder in all its forms.

Hanover Concert Band performs at Ashland Train Day

That sense of discovery continues through the exhibits. At the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park, nine interactive installations trace Ashland’s deep railroad heritage, while Studio 54 houses imaginative LEGO train layouts. Vintage equipment and a classic red caboose offer tangible links to the past, while Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys invites attendees into a scavenger hunt that transforms the entire event into an exploration—one that rewards curiosity at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center

Nearby, larger machines invite a different kind of fascination. Through RCI Builders’ Touch-a-Truck experience, participants encounter vehicles from RCI Builders, Ashland Fire Department, Glen Allen Transmission, Wells Tree Service, Gulf Seaboard, JDog Junk Removal, River City Wranglers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Ghostbusters Virginia—ready to be climbed, explored, and admired—while the Old Dominion Model A Ford Club lines South Railroad Avenue with a glimpse into automotive history.

RCI Builders’ Touch-a-Truck at Ashland Train Day

And then there is the spirit of possibility that runs quietly alongside it all.

Through raffles organized by top Mainstreet America non-profit Downtown Ashland Association, the day carries an added sense of anticipation—not as a contest, but as an extension of generosity. Whether it is the chance to win Wild Bill’s Soda mugs with refills that last the day, or the opportunity to set out on a future journey with Amtrak tickets paired with a Center of the Universe Brewing Company brewski on board, the intention is clear: that everyone leaves feeling like a winner in the Center of the Universe.

Even those who cannot attend in person are part of the story, as Virtual Railfan streams Ashland’s passing trains to a global audience, connecting this small town moment to viewers far beyond its borders.

What stands out most, though, is not any single attraction. It is the way everything fits together.

There is a generosity to Ashland Train Day that reveals itself slowly—in the planning, in the partnerships, in the people who return year after year to make it possible. It is a reminder that community isn’t built in grand gestures alone, but in the accumulation of small, intentional acts.

By the time the afternoon begins to wind down, there is a quiet realization that something meaningful has taken place. Not just an event, but a gathering. Not just entertainment, but connection.

Ashland Train Day does not ask much of its visitors. Only that they show up, look around, and allow themselves to be part of something that has been carefully, lovingly built over 22 years.

And perhaps that is why people return.

Because in a world that often moves too quickly, Ashland offers one perfect Saturday where you are invited to slow down, follow the tracks, and remember what it feels like to belong.

Ashland Train Day takes place Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Ashland. For full details, schedules, volunteer opportunities, and event information, visit AshlandTrainDay.com.

Nominations Are Open. Your Neighbors Need Your Voice.

Young neighbors in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

If you've ever pushed open a door on England Street and felt like you were walking into a hug — you already know what this is about.

There's a particular kind of magic to Ashland, Virginia. It's not something you can package or pin down easily, but you feel it the moment you step off the train, catch the smell of something baking on Railroad Avenue, and hear someone call out a greeting from across the street like they've known you for years. That magic doesn't happen by accident. It's made — every single morning — by the people who open their doors, turn on their lights, and pour everything they have into this town.

This year, Hanover County is asking us to say so officially. The Heart of Hanover Business Awards are back for their second year, and nominations opened Monday, April 13th. The contest is 100% driven by the community — no committees, no judges, no insider selections. Just neighbors recognizing neighbors, one vote at a time. You can nominate once per category per day, right up until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 26th.

The Downtown Ashland Association is proud to be a Pulse Sponsor of this year's contest — and we're here to make sure not a single deserving business gets left out. So let's take a walk through this town together, category by category, and talk about what we stand to celebrate.

🗳️ Nominations are open NOW — through Sunday, April 26 at 11:59 p.m.
📍 Nominate online: richmond.com/contests/heart-of-hanover
📋 Paper ballots: Town of Ashland front desk (121 Thompson St) or Hanover Economic Development (8200 Center Path Lane, Mechanicsville)
💡 You can nominate in each category once per day — come back daily and keep the love going!

Restaurant of the Year

Where Ashland Pulls Up a Chair

Neighbors dine in historic Downtown Ashland

Food is how this town shows love, and the proof is in the dining rooms, front porches, and lunch counters scattered across our five square miles. Andy's Restaurant & Lounge has been doing it since 1968 — the kind of place where the stool at the bar has probably held three generations of the same family. Iron Horse Restaurant turns a meal into an event, serving upscale Southern cuisine in a two-story landmark with live train views that tourists drive an hour to experience. Thompson Street Tavern has quietly become one of the most exciting new dining rooms in Central Virginia, blending seasonal ingredients with a modern take on Southern comfort that absolutely deserves a spotlight.

But the spectrum here is wonderfully wide. Ash & Olive is bringing stone-fired artisan pizza and craft cocktails to a family-friendly downtown setting. The Caboose Market & Cafe has made farm-to-table dining feel like second nature along the tracks. Jake's Place is smoking brisket and chicken on premises daily — the kind of barbecue you smell before you see. Cafe54 opens at 8 a.m. and handles breakfast like a mission. Casa Herradura's margaritas have a loyal following that borders on devotion. And Pepicellis? Laid-back, generous, and exactly the kind of neighborhood pizza spot every town deserves.

And then there’s Classic Coffee, Tea & Books — a place that feels like it was designed for lingering. With the simple promise that “classic coffee, tea, books, and their shots rock,” it delivers exactly that and more. Seasonal drinks rotate in with creativity and care, the seating invites you to stay awhile, and the shelves are lined with books you can truly get lost in. It’s equal parts café and quiet refuge — the kind of place where a quick stop turns into an afternoon before you even realize it.

We'd be remiss not to mention Bravo Bakeshop, bringing a European-style bakery café experience to Ashland — artisan pastries, handcrafted espresso, and the kind of savory bites that make a Tuesday feel like a treat. The Henry Clay Inn offers gracious dining in a Georgian-style setting that feels like a living piece of history. And Homemades by Suzanne has been feeding Ashland from scratch — breads, boxed lunches, catering, love — for years.

Huddle Up, IL Forno, Sports Page Bar & Grill, Los Regios Tienda Latina — if you've got a table at any of these, you've already got a reason to nominate. And Farmview Creamery — a farmer-owned mobile unit serving fresh, farm-made ice cream — because some meals are just dessert, and that's perfectly fine.
Nominate now →

Retail Business of the Year

The Shops That Make Ashland Worth Wandering

You can't scroll past Ashland's retail scene — you have to walk it. And when you do, you start to understand why people drive from Richmond and beyond just to spend an afternoon on these blocks.

Wagner Jewellers has British-trained goldsmiths crafting and redesigning heirloom pieces in full view of the showroom — it's a working studio as much as a shop, and there's nothing else quite like it in this region. Center of the Yarniverse has built a genuine creative community around fiber arts — classes, expert guidance, luxurious yarns — the kind of shop people join, not just visit.

Chirp VA is one of Ashland's newest and most beloved additions, carefully curating high-quality bird feed and supplies for both seasoned birding enthusiasts and those just starting to discover the joy of backyard wildlife. Their belief that connecting with nature begins right at home is woven into everything they carry. Over on England Street, Thrill of the Hunt is one of those stores you can't rush — vintage furniture, home décor, and the full Annie Sloan Chalk Paint line in a space that feels like someone's beautifully curated home. Hickory Creek Antiques gives you 40 vendors under one roof. Caravati's Architectural Salvage has been outfitting renovators and artists since 1939.

Take Away on Hanover Ave is the beating heart of thoughtful gifting — cards that actually say something, local finds, and the kind of shopping experience that restores your faith in small retail. Tiny Tim's Toys & Trains is pure joy in a storefront: a wonderland for children and collectors alike. Miss Timmies, Crimson & Clover, refunkit, Changing Reins — each one a discovery. Ashland Meat Company at Cross Brothers has quietly become one of the best specialty grocers in central Virginia. And Ashland Feed Store, serving this community since 1918, still brings baby chicks in spring and fresh-cut trees at Christmas. Some traditions earn their place.

Nominate now →

Service Business of the Year

The People Who Show Up When It Matters

Cara Mia Arts in historic downtown Ashland

Service businesses don't always get the fanfare — but they're the ones you remember when something goes right at exactly the moment it needed to. Ashland has an extraordinary number of them.

Cara Mia Arts started when Angelica began face painting at 13, fell in love with the way it made people smile, and never really stopped. Twenty-five years later, her daughter Alana reignited that spark, and together they built Cara Mia Arts — face and body painting that brings joy to every event it touches. Haven House Florals is already a nominated Best Florist of 2026, and if you've seen their arrangements, you understand why. Fresh flowers and boutique gifts sourced with a florist's eye and a neighbor's heart.

Foliage LLC approaches landscaping the way an artist approaches a canvas — with intention, creativity, and a genuine love for outdoor spaces. Smallwood Renovations builds decks, porches, and installs windows and siding with the kind of craftsmanship that makes a house feel more like a home.

On the legal side, Berdan Law is a boutique estate planning practice helping Central Virginia families protect what matters most through custom wills and trusts. Railside Law Group, right in the heart of Ashland, serves families navigating criminal defense, family law, and estate planning — an experienced team that doesn't shy away from going to trial when their clients need them to.

Nominate now →

Health & Wellness Business of the Year

The People Taking Care of Our People

Your Path Counseling Center in historic Downtown Ashland

Wellness means something different to everyone. For some, it's a quiet hour on a massage table. For others, it's finally making the call that takes courage to make. Ashland has people ready to meet you at both ends of that spectrum.

Your Path Counseling Center, our Gold Sponsor and a cornerstone of this community's mental health landscape, offers in-person services in Ashland and telehealth sessions across all of Virginia — meeting people exactly where they are. Miles Counseling is led by Jenna Miles, a Licensed Professional Counselor and LPC Supervisor with a deep specialty in maternal mental health and the transition to parenthood. Her counseling style is collaborative, authentic, direct, and deeply human. She describes herself as someone who feels honored to be invited into people's stories — and her clients clearly feel that.
Thai Nail Spa offers a genuinely restorative experience — Thai-inspired nail care, foot massages, and spa packages that are a cut above the ordinary.
Revival Spa is what happens when someone builds the spa they actually wish existed. Tucked in Ashland, Revival is a cozy, community-oriented wellness space offering massage, facials, body treatments, waxing, halotherapy salt cave sessions, infrared sauna, and red light therapy— all in an environment that swapped the sterile front desk for a comfy lounge stocked with coffee, tea, and snacks where you settle in until your provider comes to get you. They support local through their products and partners, and they've built a model that makes regular self-care genuinely accessible: an $85/month membership covers a one-hour massage or facial plus 45 minutes in the sauna or red light bed. Oh, and they're the 2025 winners of the Center Street Pitch Competition — proof that Ashland already voted once. Time to vote again. 💆

Nominate now →

Destination Business of the Year

Worth the Drive. Worth the Stay. Worth Coming Back For.

Origin Beer Lab’s Beer Garden in historic downtown Ashland , Virginia

Some businesses don't just serve the community — they become the reason people come to Ashland in the first place. They're the ones that make visitors slow down, look around, and think: I could spend a whole day here.

Origin Beer Lab, the sister operation of the beloved Center of the Universe Brewing Company, was built for research, development, and the teaching of all things beer. It's where the craft gets deeper and the curiosity never stops. Meadowgate Alpacas is tucked into 10 peaceful acres in nearby Beaverdam and offers a different kind of destination entirely. Surrounded by forest and the Newfound River, Stephen and Nicole Phillips have created a place where visitors can slow down, reconnect, and meet some of the most gentle, soulful animals you’ll ever encounter.

Manufacturer of the Year

Made by Hand, Made in Hanover

At the heart of C'vrd-N-Dust Woodworking is a Gaelic phrase: Chun gra' adhmaid. For the love of the wood. Owner and retired veteran has built a practice around seeing the life in a piece of lumber before the first cut is ever made — conceiving each piece whole, then bringing it out. The furniture and craftsmanship that come out of this shop carry that intention into every home they enter. If you know a manufacturer, a maker, or a producer doing extraordinary work in Hanover County, this category is their moment — and C'vrd-N-Dust is a more-than-worthy place to start.

Nominate now →

Nonprofit Organization of the Year

The Organizations Holding This Community Together

Historic Hanover Arts and Activities Center

If restaurants are the soul of Ashland and retailers are its personality, the nonprofits are its backbone — the organizations doing the quiet, essential, often undersung work of making sure no one gets left behind.

ACES — Ashland Christian Emergency Services is an all-volunteer operation supported entirely by churches, civic groups, schools, and community members across central Hanover County. They provide food, clothing, household essentials, and limited financial support to neighbors in need. No salary line. No overhead bloat. Just volunteers showing up because someone has to.

Hanover Safe Place works to prevent sexual and domestic violence, provides direct services to those affected, and builds community awareness around support and resources. This is the work that doesn't make for easy conversation — and that's exactly why it matters so much to say it plainly: they deserve recognition.

The Arc of Hanover is the leading advocacy, service, and awareness organization for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hanover County. For decades, they have fought to ensure that every person in this community has access to the resources, dignity, and support they deserve.

Divine Assist is guided by faith and community, empowering youth to overcome challenges and embrace their God-given potential. In a world that often forgets about young people until they're in crisis, Divine Assist is showing up early, showing up consistently, and showing up with love.

Hanover Arts and Activities Center has spent more than 50 years living up to its self-described mission of being the "Center" of the Center of the Universe — located right on the railroad tracks, dedicated to enriching this community through cultural, educational, and civic programming. If you've brought your child to a performance here, taken a class, or attended an exhibit, you know what this place means.

And finally — a small admission of bias — the Downtown Ashland Association is on this list too. We are organizers, fundraisers, and small-town cheerleaders. We are artists and farmers, government leaders and business owners, parents and grandparents. We harness the power of this community to build a stronger future for everyone in it. We think that's worth nominating — but more importantly, we think every organization on this list is.

Nominate now →

Nominations close April 26 at 11:59 p.m. 🗳️

Every nomination is a vote of confidence. Every day you come back and nominate again is a signal that this town pays attention to the people who serve it. You can nominate once per category per day — so don't wait, and don't do it just once.

Nominate now →

Questions? Contact Ann Glave, Existing Business and Project Manager, Hanover County Economic Development — agglave@hanovervirginia.com or (804) 365-6459.

Proudly brought to you by the Downtown Ashland Association, Pulse Sponsor of the 2026 Heart of Hanover Business Awards Contest. Special thanks to our sponsors: Your Path Counseling Center (Gold) · Cara Mia Arts, Haven House Florals, Berdan Law, Farmview Creamery, Miles Counseling, Smallwood Renovations, Pepicellis, Oaks Church, Railside Law (Silver) · Foliage LLC, Chirp VA, Bravo Bakeshop (Bronze)

Center Street Pitch Competition Extends Deadline

The Center Street Pitch Competition in the historic Ashland Theatre

If you’ve been carrying a business idea in your back pocket, waiting for the right moment to step forward, this is your invitation from a town that truly wants to see you win.

The Center Street Pitch Competition, now in its 12th year, has extended its application deadline to April 12, 2026, giving entrepreneurs across Ashland, Hanover County, and the greater Richmond region a little more time — and a lot more encouragement — to take that next step. Hosted by the Dominion Energy Innovation Center in partnership with the Downtown Ashland Association, this isn’t just a competition. It’s a community-backed launchpad, built on the belief that good ideas deserve a real shot.

And this year, that support starts even earlier.

Bravo Bakeshop at Center Street Pitch Competition

In a move that feels right at home in a place known for looking out for its own, applicants will now have access to a free pitch preparation workshop led by Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching and Consulting. His work has helped entrepreneurs find their footing and their voice, and his perspective comes from watching that transformation happen in real time. Reflecting on past participants, Cunion shared, “Watching participants like Karie from Shaken Not Spurred and Liz from Bravo Bakeshop move from idea to fully formed business has been incredibly rewarding. Quarterly updates show how they continue to refine their business models and seize new opportunities.” He adds, “With the right tools and guidance, small business owners can take confident, actionable steps toward success.”

That kind of guidance can make all the difference between a good idea staying on paper and a great one stepping into the spotlight.

That spotlight will shine bright on May 7, 2026, inside The Ashland Theatre, where finalists will take the stage in front of a panel of experienced judges and a room full of neighbors who understand exactly what it takes to build something from the ground up. It’s an evening that feels equal parts high-stakes and hometown, where the energy in the room leans less toward pressure and more toward possibility.

Dominion Energy Innovation Center with the timer counting down at the Center Street Pitch Competition

At stake is $15,000 in total prize funding, along with ongoing support through membership at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center — resources that continue long after the applause fades. But ask anyone who’s been part of Center Street before, and they’ll tell you the real value is in what happens along the way: the clarity, the confidence, and opportunities that come from finally saying your idea out loud and letting it be heard.

Entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries and stages are encouraged to apply, whether they’re rooted in Ashland, building something new in Hanover County, or contributing to the agricultural and forestry backbone of the region with support from Colonial Farm Credit. What matters most isn’t perfection. It’s vision, commitment, and a willingness to take that first visible step.

Applications are open now through April 12, and the process is designed to be approachable — a chance to share who you are, what you’re building, and how a little extra support could help you grow. Finalists will be announced later in April, with time built in to refine and prepare before stepping onto the stage in May.

Around here, we like to say Ashland is the Center of the Universe. For one night, it’s also the center of possibility.

If you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you your idea is worth it, consider this that moment.

Learn more and apply at AshlandVirginia.com/Pitch or reach out with questions at centerstreet@dominnovation.com.

Bringing the Ancient Power of Middle Eastern Dance to Schools, Stages, and Communities

MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment performing at the 2025 Downtown Ashland Grand Illumination

When Michael Kahwajy-Hyland leads a Dabke line, something remarkable happens: strangers take each other's hands and move together as one. That is not a metaphor — it is the literal, physical truth of Dabke, a traditional Levantine line dance born from the ancient lands where modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan reside. And it is precisely why Kahwajy-Hyland has made it his life's mission to bring this dance to as many people as possible.

As founder and creative director of MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment, the Richmond-based artist and educator has built a professional touring company that bridges cultures through the world's oldest recorded dances. Now, following the triumphant inaugural year of his Artist-in-Residence program at the University of Richmond, Kahwajy-Hyland is actively expanding MKH Dabke's performances, workshops, and residencies to new stages, campuses, and communities.

The Residency That Started Something Big

In 2025, the University of Richmond's Department of Theatre & Dance residency curator selected Kahwajy-Hyland as the first-ever artist for their new Dance Residency for Social Change — a program built to bring meaningful, movement-based cultural work to campus. It exceeded every expectation.

MKH Dabke’s University of Richmond 2025 poster

The residency unfolded in three interconnected ways. First, Kahwajy-Hyland delivered guest lectures across multiple university departments — from music and dance to political science — weaving the history, cultural context, and living practice of Dabke into each course's subject matter. Students didn't just learn about the ideas and significance behind dance; they did it, experiencing firsthand the connective power that centuries of human tradition have encoded into its steps.

Second, he hosted a major public community workshop, opening the university's facilities to the wider Richmond area and inviting anyone curious about Middle Eastern culture to participate.

The residency culminated with a full-length, sold-out production of MKH Dabke's flagship show, Lifeforce: Nafs — staged in the round so that the audience was surrounded by the action on all sides. Produced by Kahwajy-Hyland and co-producer/residency curator, Alicia Diaz, the performance featured Dabke, belly dancers, live drummers, and the William & Mary Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, whose musicians were scattered throughout the crowd, enveloping every audience member in a deeply immersive experience. A Lebanese tasting menu from Natalie's Taste of Lebanon capped the evening, and audience members ultimately spilled out of the building, dancing together in a spiraling Dabke line beneath the open sky.

"At the end of the performance, we invited the audience to get up and join the Dabke line. The space flooded, people who had never met dancing in one connected line, turning strangers into neighbors — and then that sea of people flowed out of the performance space into the open air of the courtyard beneath the stars. It was absolutely incredible." — Michael Kahwajy-Hyland

The show sold out in under a week. Student end-of-term papers cited the residency as transformative. Professors reported that their students' worldviews had genuinely expanded. A mini-documentary capturing the experience is now in production.

What Is Dabke — And Why Does It Matter?

MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment performing at the 2025 Downtown Ashland Grand Illumination

Dabke (pronounced deb-kee) is one of the oldest recorded dances in the world, rooted in the Levant — the region just east of the Mediterranean Sea encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. It is a social, communal line dance defined by high energy, deep rhythm, and an unbroken chain of connected hands. It is danced at weddings and festivals, and it is danced at protests. In both settings, it carries the same message: we are here, we are together, and we are proud.

For Kahwajy-Hyland — an American-born Lebanese artist who has spent extended time in both Lebanon and Jordan — Dabke is far more than an art form. It is a direct encounter with a culture that American media rarely portrays completely or accurately. MKH Dabke's work is a form of cultural activism, not through protest, but through joy. By bringing the beauty, artistry, and community spirit of Levantine culture into schools, theaters, and public spaces, Kahwajy-Hyland and his company are quietly, powerfully changing the story many Americans carry about the Middle East.

What MKH Dabke Offers

MKH Dabke is available for a wide range of programming, each fully tailored to the venue and community:

Stage Performances — Full theatrical productions featuring Dabke, belly dance, live drumming, and live ensemble music. Adaptable for theaters, festival stages, and unconventional spaces.

Workshops — Interactive, participatory experiences for all ages and backgrounds. No dance experience required. Attendees leave having moved, connected, and learned something genuinely new about Middle Eastern culture.

Educational Residencies — In-depth, multi-session programs for universities, colleges, and K–12 institutions. Residencies can span multiple disciplines — dance, history, political science, music — and are designed to produce lasting impact on students and campus communities alike.

Keynote Talks and Custom Cultural Programming — Tailored presentations for cultural organizations, festivals, corporate events, and community celebrations.

The company tours nationally and is available for bookings throughout the U.S. and internationally. MKH Dabke is currently booking performances and programs for Q3 and Q4 2026, with availability for cultural events, campus programs, and community festivals, and is open to exploring opportunities throughout the rest of the year.

About Michael Kahwajy-Hyland

Michael Kahwajy-Hyland is a Richmond-based artist, educator, and cultural resource. As founder and creative director of MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment, he has performed at festivals across Virginia and beyond, collaborated with universities and cultural institutions, and traveled internationally to bring Dabke to new audiences. He was the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the University of Richmond's Dance Residency for Social Change in 2025 — a program that will now continue annually as a direct result of his work.

His mission: to awaken the human spirit through meaningful movement and cultural storytelling, and to leave every audience more empowered, more connected, and more open to the world than when they arrived.

MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment performing at the Lebanese festival

Gear Heads Delight over RCI Builder's Ashland Train Day Display

There’s a certain kind of morning in Ashland when the sun hits the tracks just right, and you can feel something special rolling into town. On Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM - 4 PM, that feeling returns in full force as the Ashland Train Day celebrates its 22nd year—inviting neighbors, visitors, train enthusiasts, and gear heads of all ages to experience one of Central Virginia’s most beloved free family events.

Hosted by the Downtown Ashland Association, this year’s celebration promises a full day of small-town charm and big-time excitement, where the rhythm of passing trains meets the laughter of families spreading down Center Street. And right in the heart of it all, a crowd favorite returns with even more to explore: the Touch-A-Truck experience, made possible through the generous community partnership of RCI Builders.

For RCI Builders, the joy of Train Day begins with people. “At RCI Builders, we are especially proud of our people,” the team shares. “As a local homebuilder, we are deeply committed to supporting the communities where we live and work and strive to make a lasting, positive impact.” Guided by their core values—Humility, Efficiency, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork— RCI’s presence at Train Day is about far more than trucks; it’s about connection.

That spirit comes to life on England Street, where children (and let’s be honest, plenty of grown-ups too) can climb aboard dump trucks, explore heavy equipment, and get up close to the kind of vehicles that usually rumble by from a distance. “Ashland Train Day is a meaningful event for our team each year,” RCI Builders shares. “We love seeing the excitement on children’s and families’ faces as they get the opportunity to explore trucks up close and enjoy receiving a classic RCI blue balloon.”

It’s those simple, joyful moments that keep families coming back year after year. One memory stands out to the team: “Seeing a little kid’s eyes light up as they were able to see big trucks up close for the first time. Families come from all over to enjoy the day, and being part of those joyful moments—sharing smiles and a love for community—is what makes the event so special.”

That sense of wonder is matched by a deep-rooted commitment to Ashland itself. Since 1999, RCI Builders has been crafting high-quality, affordable homes throughout Hanover County, growing alongside the very community they continue to invest in. “We believe in the power of community, in the importance of giving back, and in nurturing connections that last a lifetime,” the company shares—values that extend from their neighborhoods to nonprofit partnerships and events like Train Day.

Their sponsorship ensures that this cherished tradition remains free and open to the public, welcoming visitors from across Virginia and beyond to experience the magic of a town that knows how to throw a celebration. And as the festival looks toward the future, the vision is as bright as ever. “For 2026, we’re dreaming of even more laughter, learning, and connections,” RCI Builders shares. “Our goal is to make the event bigger, brighter, and even more engaging for everyone in the community.”

From the whistle of passing trains to the hum of engines waiting to be explored, Ashland Train Day. offers something rare: a chance to slow down, look around, and delight in the shared joy of discovery. It’s where train lovers find their rhythm, families make new traditions, and neighbors—both new and lifelong—come together in the Center of the Universe for a day that feels as welcoming as home.