Secretariat Racing Into History in historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia
On Friday, March 27, Ashland will debut its very first 2026 Ashland Fourth Fridays, and in true Center of the Universe fashion, the celebration is arriving with a legendary head start. The kickoff weekend just so happens to coincide with the birthday of Ashland’s hometown hero, Secretariat—so naturally, Big Red is setting the pace.
From March through October, on the fourth Friday of each month from 5–8 PM (with April taking a breather ahead of Ashland Train Day), downtown Ashland will transform into a lively, walkable evening affair where shopping stays open late, farm-to-fork dining goes trackside, and the Town Hall lawn and parking lot fill with art, crafts, local businesses, games, prizes, and delightful discoveries for all ages. It’s a monthly tradition built for strolling, grazing, laughing, and lingering—no reins required.
The inaugural Fourth Fridays celebration will be a full-stride tribute to Secretariat, in partnership with Secretariat for Virginia, who will be setting up shop in the Ashland Town Hall parking lot with their brand-new 10x10 booth and exclusive 2026 Secretariat Day merchandise. They’re also sweetening the pot with a raffle that’s sure to get hearts racing: two tickets to the beloved Big Red Bash at Oakdale, the cocktail party and fundraiser that kicks off Ashland’s annual Secretariat Birthday Celebration.
The Big Red Bash gallops in the very same weekend, taking place Friday, March 27 from 6:00–9:00 PM at Oakdale in Ashland—just follow the blue and white flags. Bash guests will enjoy generous grazing tables stacked with sumptuous charcuterie and decadent desserts, a lively bar pouring champagne, mint juleps, wine, and a signature “Big Red” beer, plus live patio music, an artsy silent auction, and a high-energy Horse Race Game. Adding an extra thrill to the evening, attendees will even meet Pepe, a real racehorse and proud descendant of Secretariat himself. Tickets are $100 per person and, in the spirit of love for Big Red, go on sale Valentine’s Day, February 14. Proceeds support the maintenance of the Secretariat Monument and Reynolds Family Plaza in Ashland, along with educational efforts celebrating the region’s renowned horse history. Raffle entries can be made at ashlandvirginia.com/raffles, with the winner contacted by email on Thursday, March 26.
Back at the heart of Fourth Fridays, the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion will set the tone for the evening with movement and music. Ashland Dance Academy opens the show with original choreography spanning ballet, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre, including a special Secretariat-themed piece set to “It’s Who You Are” by AJ Michalka—an inspiring tribute to Big Red’s enduring legacy. From there, the stage opens up for a free, family-friendly concert by Alan MacEwen of Grandson’s acclaim, perfect for spreading out a picnic blanket or pulling up a lawn chair to soak in the sounds from Ashland’s picturesque town square.
Ashland Dance Academy performs at Ashland Fourth Fridays
Around the lawn, the fun keeps trotting along. ReFunkIt brings their horseshoe set for a little friendly horsing around, Sign Gypsies of Mechanicsville creates a perfectly posable photo moment, and Girl Scouts of Virginia keep things sweet with their famously irresistible cookies. Inside, Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys invites Fourth Friday fun-finders to paint Beyer Horses for free—proof that creativity runs on all four hooves in Ashland.
Vendors interested in joining the ride can apply at AshlandFourthFridays.com or guarantee their place by becoming a Downtown Ashland Association sponsor at ashlandvirginia.com/sponsor. Through marketing initiatives, special events, business engagement, and economic development, the Downtown Ashland Association proudly advances its nonprofit mission by deploying its time, funding, and voice on behalf of the community.
Because Ashland Fourth Fridays isn’t just an event—it’s a reflection of who we are.
We are organizers, fundraisers, and small-town cheerleaders. We are artists and farmers, government leaders and business owners, parents and grandparents. And together, we harness the power of community to build a stronger future for everyone.
So mark your calendar, grab the reins, and join us as Ashland’s newest tradition breaks from the gate—full of heart, heritage, and a whole lot of hometown horsepower.