“Wish You Were Here” Combines Heartwarming Holiday Showmanship with Community Service

Don’t you wish there were a night of laughter, live music, and community spirit this holiday season? Wish no further! Wish You Were Here: A Christmas Show is just the ticket. Hosted by the ever-charming Bryan Dupuis, this one-of-a-kind variety show blends the clever comedy of Saturday Night Live with the heartfelt storytelling of A Prairie Home Companion — all while giving back to the local charities that make Central Virginia shine a little brighter all season long.

🎄 Friday, December 5 at 7:00 PM
📍 Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center | 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060
🎟️ $13 Online | $15 At the Door (Doors open at 6:15 PM | General Admission)

“Each show we partner with an organization doing good in our community,” says host Bryan Dupuis. “It’s family-friendly and highlights the best of what we have happening right here in our area.”

This year’s Christmas show shines a spotlight on Jacob’s Chance, a local nonprofit enriching lives by empowering individuals ages 5–40 with disabilities through inclusive programs that nurture confidence, creativity, and connection. Every ticket sold and laugh shared helps amplify their incredible work — proving that giving back can be as joyful as it is meaningful.

✨ A Night Full of Heart and Hometown Talent
The stage will come alive with a lineup as warm and welcoming as the season itself. The evening kicks off with the toe-tapping harmonies of Nothing Too Crazy, a Mechanicsville-based acoustic quartet whose effortless blend of voices and instruments feels like coming home to your favorite song.

Singer-songwriter Logan Miller, host of itsnowstreaming, will take the stage next with melodies that stir both laughter and reflection — the kind of tunes that make you smile before you realize you’re humming along.

The Glen Allen High School Select Ensemble brings youthful joy and incredible talent, filling the theater with bright voices and big holiday spirit. And just when you think the night couldn’t get more delightful, the COTU Players sweep in with comedy sketches and storytelling that will have you laughing until your cheeks hurt.

And that’s just the beginning — every Wish You Were Here performance holds a few surprises up its festive sleeve.

🎁 Become a Sponsor and Support the Story
Wish You Were Here is more than a show — it’s a celebration of what happens when creativity and compassion share the same stage. You can help the story continue by becoming a sponsor:

• Individual Supporter – $50 | Receive a warm thank-you in the event handout — a small gesture with a big heart.

• Silver – $200 | Enjoy your logo on-screen and on social media, plus a shoutout from the stage during the show.

• Gold – $500 | Shine even brighter with your logo on the show’s website and communications with ticket holders.

• Platinum – $1000 | Take center stage as a “Presented By” sponsor, featured in all event communications.

To sponsor or learn more, or get your tickets, visit: www.WishYouWereHereLive.com

So gather your friends, grab a seat, and get ready for an evening that will make your heart glow as bright as the Christmas lights. Wish You Were Here: A Christmas Show proves that the most entertaining night of the season can also be the most meaningful — a joyful reminder that when our community comes together, we all shine a little brighter.

Downtown Ashland is Gonna Be Golden This New Year’s Eve

2025 Gonna Be Golden ticket winners in ReFunkIt

In the Center of the Universe, the countdown to 2026 is getting sweeter. Downtown Ashland Association is thrilled to announce the launch of its Gonna Be Golden milk-chocolate bars — a limited-edition treat designed to delight chocolate lovers, celebrate community, and support local businesses this New Year’s Eve.

Inspired by KPop Demon Hunter, the “Gonna Be Golden” name was dreamed up by the owner of Caramia Arts - Angelica Valencia - who, as a face painting, glitter tattoo, fairy hair, and airbrush artist, is no stranger to glowing up. “The same way Huntress spreads joy through song, we hope to spread sweetness through Ashland,” said Louise Keeton, Director of Operations for Downtown Ashland Association. “It’s a joyful way to close out the year while giving our community a chance to enter 2026 winners.”

Ashland Dance Academy through the lens of Robert Pfeifer

Thanks to the generosity of Ashland Dance Academy, 110 Thompson, and Minuteman Press of Ashland, 200 Gonna Be Golden creamy milk-chocolate bars have been created — and 10 of them contain golden tickets! Each golden ticket unlocks fabulous downtown prizes, including a $40 gift basket from Take Away, a Homemades by Suzanne Snack Pack complete with a pint of chicken salad, rolls, and a chocolate chess pie, and even a mystery prize from Refunkit.

“Minuteman Press loves sponsoring events that bring our community together,” said Caroline Sweeney, owner of Minuteman Press of Ashland. “If it’s something we can support at the time, we’re always happy to help make it happen.”

“I hope this fundraiser not only supports Ashland’s incredible events but also draws more foot traffic to our local shops,” added Colette Maranda, owner of Ashland Dance Academy and 110 Thompson.

Beginning on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, Gonna Be Golden chocolate bars will be available at select downtown retailers, including Chirp, Take Away, Homemades by Suzanne, Refunkit, and Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys. Miss Timmie’s will offer bars on Saturdays, and Wagner Jewelers will join the lineup when they come back from winter break in early January.

To add to the excitement, Ashland Dance Academy is forming their own “Huntress Group,” preparing a KPop Demon Hunter performance around participating stores to celebrate the spirit of the season.

“Downtown Ashland has a way of turning every season into a reason to celebrate,” said Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “The Gonna Be Golden bars are a shining symbol of the joy, creativity, and connection that make our downtown truly golden year-round.”

Downtown Ashland Association invites visitors to hop aboard Amtrak Virginia and journey into Ashland’s winter wonderland of historic charm, curated shopping, and farm-to-fork dining to search for these Gonna Be Golden prizes — and experience the sweet magic that makes the Center of the Universe shine all year long.

Find the Gonna Be Golden bar location map, list of prizes, and more details at AshlandVirginia.com/taste.

Celebrate Small Business Saturday with hometown pride and local love

Photo of Ashland Train Day by Rick Kidd

This Small Business Saturday, November 29, Downtown Ashland invites you to experience holiday magic in the Center of the Universe — where every purchase, every cup of coffee, and every meal shared supports the dreams of local business owners and helps our town thrive all year long.

Nestled around our historic train station, nearly every shop and restaurant in Downtown Ashland is independently owned. That means when you shop Ashland first, you’re not just buying a gift — you’re investing in someone’s dream, fueling local jobs, and helping a neighbor’s business shine a little brighter.

Visitors are encouraged to skip the traffic and take Amtrak Virginia straight to the heart of downtown. Step off the platform and into a walkable wonderland of farm-to-fork restaurants, curated boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafés — all within sight of mighty trains rolling by.

From fine dining at Henry Clay Inn to handcrafted gifts at Thrill of the Hunt, from colorful yarn at Center of the Yarniverse to a morning latte at Classic Coffee, Tea & Books, Ashland’s shops and restaurants reflect the heart and soul of the community.

“Small Business Saturday isn’t just about shopping,” says Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of the Downtown Ashland Association. “It’s about connection — neighbors greeting neighbors, discovering local craftsmanship, and realizing that every dollar spent here helps shape the story of our town.”

So this holiday season, shop local, dine local, and give local. Support the small business owners, dreamers, and doers who make Downtown Ashland a place where everyone feels at home.

Plan your visit, find local favorites, and explore upcoming events at ashlandvirginia.com.

Invest in the Center of the Universe

As the holiday season approaches, Downtown Ashland Association (DAA) is celebrating a year of community impact and inviting residents and local businesses to invest in the “Center of the Universe” through tax-deductible year-end donations or sponsorships.

Center Street Pitch Competition in historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia.

This year, DAA has helped transform Ashland into a hub of energy, creativity, and opportunity. From hosting free entrepreneur bootcamps at the Ashland Branch Library to providing AI workshops at Ashland Theatre and bilingual business workshops at Around the Table, DAA has empowered local entrepreneurs to grow and thrive. Partnerships like the Center Street Pitch Competition with the Dominion Energy Innovation Center awarded $35,000 to innovative small businesses, creating opportunities that ripple throughout the community.

Events have also been a cornerstone of DAA’s work. Light Up the Tracks lit up downtown with over 10,000 sparkling lights, carolers, and festive programming, while Ashland Train Day welcomed thousands of visitors to explore local vendors and the town’s historic rail legacy. These signature events drew over 35,000 guests to downtown Ashland and attracted major sponsors, including Amtrak, CSX, and Virtual Railfan, solidifying Ashland as a vibrant destination in Virginia and beyond.

Light Up the Tracks in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

DAA’s dedication extends to historic and cultural preservation as well. The fully funded Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park, created in partnership with the Ashland Museum and Hanover County Black Heritage Society, celebrates the town’s rail heritage through interactive exhibits, storytelling, and public engagement. At the same time, strategic initiatives and partnerships with media outlets like Neighbors of Ashland Magazine, Metro Richmond, and K101.2 POP Richmond generated 2.1 billion media impressions in 2025 alone — all without spending a dime on ad buys — putting Ashland, affectionately known as the Center of the Universe, on the map for visitors and investors alike.

“Our work isn’t just about events or numbers,” said Coach Antonio Miller, DAA Executive Director. “It’s about creating a downtown where entrepreneurs flourish, families gather, and every neighbor feels the magic of Ashland. Every donation or sponsorship multiplies that impact — it’s a chance to invest in the heart of our community and get something back that’s truly priceless.”

Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park

The completion of DAA’s five-year Strategic Plan adds another layer to this vision, outlining a roadmap for growth, inclusivity, and vibrancy through 2030. As Kathy Abbott, Chair of the Strategic Plan Committee, reminds us that investing in DAA is more than a donation — it’s an investment in Ashland’s spirit. “It’s about ensuring our downtown remains vibrant, resilient, and deeply connected to the people who live, work, and visit here.”

Neighbors can contribute through a tax-deductible donation to sustain these programs and events, while local businesses can become sponsors, showcasing their brand while supporting free educational programs, volunteer initiatives, and cultural experiences that make Ashland unique.

To give or learn more, visit www.ashlandvirginia.com/donate.

Downtown Ashland Association and Ashland Branch Library Empower Entrepreneurs with Monthly Boot Camps

Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director Coach Antonio Miller speaking during the first Wednesday Entrepreneur Boot Camps in Ashland Branch Library

Local entrepreneurs are growing, connecting, and thriving through a new monthly Entrepreneur Boot Camp Series, held the first Wednesday of every month at 6 PM inside the Ashland Branch Library’s conference room.

The first boot camp, held in November, was a resounding success—bringing together business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and creative minds from across the Center of the Universe for an evening of collaboration, resource-sharing, and inspiration. Attendees networked, learned about new opportunities, and gained tools to take their ventures to the next level.

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“I learned such valuable information in a short amount of time,” Local business owner Anna Riccio of GRIT and Drift Beverage Co. shared. “The whole group was so welcoming! I truly felt like I had a ‘seat at the table.’”

The next Entrepreneur Boot Camp will be held Wednesday, December 3, featuring a holiday meet and greet designed for connection and cheer. Participants can mingle with fellow business owners, exchange ideas, and celebrate the season in true Ashland style.

“These monthly gatherings are about more than business,” said Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “They’re about community—because when our entrepreneurs connect, the entire town grows stronger.”

Downtown Ashland is already known as a hub for small business innovation. Main Street is lined with local shops, farm-to-fork restaurants, and vibrant public art—all powered by passionate local owners who make Ashland unique. Downtown Ashland Association also offers year-round resources, including a free online Start Up Business Accelerator, on-demand video workshops, and Happy Hour Vibes Networking and Recording Parties at K101.2 POP Richmond—a partnership that helps businesses engage 1.3 million listeners while enjoying mocktails, games, and laughter.

The Ashland Branch Library complements these opportunities by offering free access to powerful entrepreneurial tools through library card membership, including the Hoopla and Libby apps.

To explore more programs from the Pamunkey Regional Library, visit www.pamunkeylibrary.org. For questions or accessibility accommodations, email ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call the Ashland Branch Library at (804) 798-4072.

Mark your calendars now—the first Wednesday of every month belongs to Ashland’s entrepreneurs.