Kid Zone Blessings by New Community Church

Ashland Train Day and the New Community Church is a match made in the Center of the Universe.

On Saturday, April 29 the young and young-at-heart will be delighted by a kiddie train ride, three bouncy houses, games, The Singing Conductor, and Kona Ice - all made possible by the New Community Church’s generous sponsorship of Ashland Train Day’s Kid Zone.

“We believe the church should be in its community and for its community,” Co-Lead Pastor Brandon Baldwin told Downtown Ashland Association. “Ashland Train Day is an important day for our town, so our heart is to show our support and do our part to make it a great experience.” Last year, New Community Church made the Kid Zone a great experience with face paint, prizes, and even a blow-up cow costume. This year they plan on bringing more smiles with an additional bouncy house and field games.

The Church’s mission is to bring hope to their neighbors. Their efforts are exemplified by spearheading the Family Room Renovation Project completed at Hanover Department of Social Services. Over two dozen local businesses and churches worked together to give our community’s kids a fun and comfortable playroom for tough days in the office–complete with a rope loft, indoor slide, gaming station and craft station. “We recognize that many children find themselves in that room on some of the most difficult days of their lives,” said Co-Lead Pastor Hannah Baldwin. “It was our intention to work with the DSS to improve that experience and inspire hope for each child who is there.”

Meet the people making New Community Church’s mission a reality at Ashland Train Day in the Kid Zone behind Ashland Branch Library and/or worship with them Sundays at 6:00 PM inside Ashland Theatre.

RCI Builders Hosts Touch-A-Truck at Ashland Train Day

On April 29, gear heads of all ages will visit an impressive display of heavy equipment, a fire truck and ambulance, dump trucks, and tractors. Ashland Train Day’s Touch-A-Truck Area is made possible by RCI Builders.

You probably know RCI Builders for the well-crafted, high-quality homes they’ve been building in Ashland since 1999. Today, RCI is one of the largest locally owned construction companies in central Virginia, supporting more than 30 employees and contracts. They extend support into the community through charitable giving, including hosting the Touch-A-Truck Area at Ashland Train Day.

RCI Builders’ Vice President and Co-Owner Patrick Ashley recall all the delights of Ashland Train Days past. “There is nothing like showing the children the heavy equipment and dump trucks we work with daily and giving them a glimpse into the fun of construction!” 

Children and their loved ones are invited to climb into vehicles, touch and feel everything, and speak with the operators–completely free of charge. “Because Touch-A-Truck is in Ashland at Train Day, it feels like stepping back in time to old holiday parades,” muses Ashley. “We love connecting and engaging with the public and meeting the families that live in and around Ashland.”

You can meet Builder Integrity Award-winning, RCI Builders, at the Touch-a-Truck area at Ashland Train Day on Saturday, April 29th from 10 AM to 4 PM. We'll see you there!

Stone Designs for Ashland Train Day

For artist Geoff Stone, design is so much more than a career. “Design has taken me around the nation and allowed me to do what I enjoy with people I enjoy,” he says. Now design is bringing Geoff back home with a fresh Ashland Train Day image emblazoned on merchandise.

“As a designer, what better subject could one hope for but Ashland, trains, and the spirit of a family-friendly good time?” Geoff asks in an interview with Downtown Ashland Association. 

Geoff’s previous work can be spotted in the Center of the Universe Brewing Company logo and on over 20 of their cans. With so much experience in the Center of the Universe, Geoff had no trouble incorporating iconic Ashland train elements into the 2023 Ashland Train Day design. - like the station, clock, and dual tracks. “Pulling it all together in this way allowed for a variety of applications,” says Geoff, “from full-color posters to fun merchandise.”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Geoff donate his time and expertise in support of Ashland Train Day,” says Maggie Longest, Downtown Ashland Association’s executive director, and the event’s organizer. “His designs are both eye-catching and timeless. I can’t wait to see people wearing them on Train Day!”

Full-color posters and merchandise have been produced from Geoff’s designs by Downtown Ashland’s own print shop, We Think In Ink. While Ashland Train Day T-shirts can be bought on Saturday, April 29 at the central Info Tent in the intersection of Thompson Street and Railroad Avenue beside the tracks, the full selection with hoodies, hats, and bibs are only available until Thursday, April 20. Orders can be picked up at Ashland Train Day or shipped.

Geoff hopes his designs will help the Ashland Train Day memories will last a lifetime: 

“I’d like to imagine that years from now, as folks pull out an old, well-worn 2023 Ashland Train Day T-shirt to work in the yard or dry off the dog after a bath, that they will be reminded of the fun they had,” says Geoff. “After all, it’s not about the design. It’s about the day, and people sharing a good time that becomes a great memory. To me, that’s Ashland every day.”

Geoff Stone’s designs can be found throughout Ashland and Richmond. You can reach him at stonebranded.com.

Ashland Train Day Apparel On Sale Now

Ashland Train Day on April 29 will bring thousands of visitors from all over the world to the Center of The Universe. Show your train town pride with Ashland Train Day t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and even baby bibs. Order now, and receive your custom-printed apparel at the event!

Thanks to We Think in Ink’s friendly neighbor Jessica Robertson Photographic Artistry for modeling this year’s volunteer t-shirt in the photo above.

Geoff Stone designed the 2023 Ashland Train Day logo and Downtown Ashland’s print shop, We Think In Ink, is bringing it to life with screen print and embroidery, creating an array of Train Day-themed apparel for adults, youth, and toddlers.

The full selection with hoodies, hats, and bibs is only available during this two-week presale April 6 to 20, 2023. Order today and pick up your merchandise at Ashland Train Day or have it shipped to your home.

At Ashland Train Day, you’ll find merchandise at the central Info Tent in the intersection of Thompson Street and Railroad Avenue beside the tracks. Presale items will be available there for pick up. Only adult and youth Ashland Train Day t-shirts will be on sale during the event.

Coming Home to Play

Native Ashlander and co-founder of PlayRVA Taylor Pace takes playtime seriously. 

“We started PlayRVA to do something fun and put smiles on people’s faces. My partner and I have other businesses- from vending to a printing company, a web development company, etc.--but this is the most enjoyable.”

To launch PlayRVA, the company began running train rides at Short Pump Town Center and quickly opened more routes. They currently operate at Regency Square, Potomac Mills, and Charlotte Premium Outlets. Next, they began to rent out the trains for mobile parties and events, and bought a fire truck to add more fun to the offering!

Ashland Train Day seemed like a natural fit. “I reached out to the Downtown Ashland Association because we really wanted to be part of the event. I’m so excited to come back to Ashland to offer up some fun rides, but also to witness the amazing growth that's been happening there.”

PlayRVA’s inclusion in Ashland Train Day is especially exciting for Pace; his family roots are deep in the Center of the Universe. “PlayRVA trains will be running right down the street from where I grew up,” he laughs. 

Pace spent his early years on Center Street with his father, Steve Pace, and not far away Aunt Pat, Uncle Jay, and cousins Chris and Liz. While attending Patrick Henry High School and James Madison University, Pace took on many job roles at the Herald Progress newspaper, where his uncle served as editor and his father as general manager.

“One of PlayRVA’s kiddie train routes is going to be at the Ashland Branch Library. There is a statue of my Uncle Jay reading the Herald Progress there, which is so nice to have a place to visit him. I can’t wait to show him the train! My dad is also still present in Ashland as an agent at the Hometown Realty office on the tracks. It will be a fun day for Ashland and a nostalgic day for me.”

The two PlayRVA trains running on Ashland Train Day are not just for children. “One thing that we really like about the trains is the parents can ride too,” said Pace. “They’re not just putting their kid on the train and saying, ‘Bye-bye.’ They actually get to enjoy the experience together.”

You’re invited to take a FREE ride on PlayRVA kiddie trains during Ashland’s 19th annual Ashland Train Day street festival from 10am-4pm on April 29, 2023. See ashlandtrainday.com to plan a visit for the whole family.