Crowds gather to watch live music performed on the lawn of the historic Hanover Arts and Activities Center
On Saturday, September 27, neighbors and visitors are invited to gather on the lawn of the historic Hanover Arts & Activities Center for the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert, a free outdoor celebration of music, art, food, and community spirit.
Beginning at 11 AM, guests are invited to cheer on the Ashland Song Contest winners as they perform their original anthems live on the lawn. Each song will be recorded by Free Jambalaya for streaming on major platforms—and played on K101.2 POP Richmond for the whole region to enjoy. Visitors can picnic on the lawn with farm-to-fork flavors, shop for unique arts and crafts, and celebrate Ashland’s small-town creativity. Virginia Girl Scouts will also have the chance to earn their special Ashland Girl Scout Day patch.
“We hope the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert will not only entertain and educate everyone about our rich history, but also introduce them to incredible small businesses, artists, and chefs,” said Louise Keeton, Director of Operations for DAA. “You know we want to make earning an Ashland Girl Scout Day patch more fun than ever and show off why downtown Ashland considers ourselves the center in the Center of the Universe!”
Ashland Girl Scout Day patch
The day will also bring special partnerships and interactive fun. Amtrak Virginia will host a booth to meet Virginia Girl Scouts and highlight September as Rail Safety Month, reminding everyone: See Tracks, Think Train. Amtrak is also sharing tips for enjoying Virginia’s breathtaking fall foliage by train—and offering 15% off tickets with the Virginia Anytime Fare at amtrak.com/Virginia15.
Minute Man Press of Ashland is rolling in with their custom apparel truck, offering Songs from the Center of the Universe gear on demand. Not everyone can earn the official Virginia Girl Scout patch, but neighbors can still take home the commemorative patch design, printed right on site.
Colette Maranda teaches at Ashland Dance Academy headquarters - 110 Thompson St - during Ashland Girl Scout Day 2024
Downtown Ashland brick and mortars are offering even more ways for Scouts to earn their Ashland Girl Scout Day Patch with deals like Free Limeade and Chocolate Mint Brownie with a lunch purchase at Homemades by Suzanne, drop-in crafting at the Ashland Branch Library, cookie decorating at Sugar Fix Bakery, local history at the Ashland Museum, and free dance classes at Ashland Dance Academy. “We had a blast last year,” delights Ashland Dance Academy’s Colette Maranda. “It felt like 300 scouts came through 110 Thompson!”
While downtown Ashland prepares to host hundreds of Girl Scouts, Ashland Song Contest winners are warming up their vocal chords and tuning their guitar strings for a full day of original music. Community favorites like Tim Nelson, John Rock, and Brad Tuggle will play their Ashland-inspired tunes live before Victor Gottlieb leads the crowd through 10 new Ashland Songs, including one song titled “Welcome to Ashland: Girl Scout Cookies.”
Grand prize winner Tammy Hart Mosby kicks off the show with her song 1800-Ashland where she will be presented with an award and a $300 check. She expressed her gratitude during an interview on K101.2 POP Richmond’s Happy Hour Vibes, sharing, “Winning the Ashland Song Contest is the honor of my life.”
This one-of-a-kind event is made possible through the generosity of Ashland’s neighbors. From original songs inspired by Ashland’s charm to farm-to-fork food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and local businesses, the concert showcases the heart of the Center of the Universe. Thanks to the incredible support of the Downtown Ashland Association (DAA), donations from the community have funded a $300 grand prize for the Ashland Song Contest winner, ensuring that artists are celebrated and supported right here at home.
“Downtown Ashland is blessed to inspire artists and call so many neighbors,” added ‘Coach’ Antonio Miller, Executive Director of DAA. “Our community is literally paying them back with their generous donations. Now we’re not only able to offer a hefty Ashland Song Contest grand prize, but also invite and pay more musicians to play live at future free events.”
DAA invites sponsors to step in and make a lasting impact on Ashland’s cultural life. Sponsors receive exciting benefits—including their logo featured on Song Contest materials and marketing that reaches millions—while supporting future free artistic programming for everyone to enjoy.
Step into the spotlight and power the Ashland Song Contest!
✔️ Your logo on our website + all contest marketing
✔️ Spotlight placement in our Get Centered newsletter
✔️ Complimentary vendor space at every DAA event including the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert (except Train Day) – reaching 15K+ in-person fans + millions of media impressions
Celebrate local talent and get noticed in the process with the Ashland Song Contest!
✔️ Your logo on our website + all contest marketing
✔️ Spotlight placement in our Get Centered newsletter
✔️ Complimentary vendor space at the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert – reaching 1K+ in-person fans + millions of media impressions
Put your business center stage at the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert!
✔️ Your logo on our website + all contest marketing
✔️ Spotlight placement in our Get Centered newsletter
✔️ A ticket to Happy Hour Vibes Networking and Recording Party
Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert
📍 Hanover Arts and Activities Center Lawn – 500 S Center St, Ashland
🗓️ Saturday, September 27, 2025
⏰ 11 AM – Free and open to all!