Hanover's Got Talent Auditions Open!

Hanover’s Got Talent at historic Ashland Theatre 2025

Do you have a hidden talent you've been waiting to show the world? Well, now's your chance! Hanover's Got Talent is calling all local stars ages 8 and up to come shine on stage!

Auditions are Monday, April 13th at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center (4:00–8:00 PM) — just fill out the registration form to snag your time slot. Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, do magic, martial arts, comedy, juggling, or something we've never even seen before, we want to see what you've got!

The top 15 acts will take the stage at the Ashland Theatre on Sunday, May 3rd for the Hanover's Got Talent Showcase 2026 — and the top three acts will walk away with prizes and the chance to perform at Ashland events throughout the year. How cool is that?!

A mandatory rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, April 26th from 6:00–8:00 PM, so mark your calendars!

Got questions? Reach out to ashlanddanceacademy@gmail.com — we're happy to help. Now go dust off that talent and register today. Your community is cheering you on! 🎉

Fill out audition form

Girl Scout Cookies, and Live Music Kick Off Ashland Fourth Fridays

Spring arrives early on the streets of downtown Ashland this year. On Friday, March 27, from 5 to 8 PM, Ashland Fourth Fridays opens its 2025 season with a celebration that brings together Big Red’s Birthday weekend, the sweet tradition of Girl Scout cookie season, and a live sing-along performance that will lodge itself in your brain with the same stubborn persistence as a sleeve of Thin Mints.

At the center of the evening’s magic is a pop-up photo experience donated by Leigh Rooke, owner of Sign Gypsies Mechanicsville. Rooke is gifting Ashland Fourth Fridays custom yard sign displays throughout the entire season — a gesture as generous as it is colorful. For this first installment, guests will find a Secretariat-themed sign honoring the legendary thoroughbred’s birthday weekend alongside a cookie-themed display set up right beside the sales table of Ashland Girl Scout Troop 609. Grab a box of Samoas, strike a pose, and make a memory.

“Ashland is the Center of the Universe, and we feel the warmth and community bonds every time we come to help those in Ashland celebrate.”
— Leigh Rooke, Owner, Sign Gypsies Mechanicsville

Rooke’s connection to Ashland runs deep. Sign Gypsies Mechanicsville has shown up at Habitat for Humanity key ceremonies, sweet-sixteen celebrations, and the kind of milestone graduations from Patrick Henry High School and Randolph-Macon College that parents photograph obsessively and kids pretend to find embarrassing. The signs, she says, have a way of becoming heirlooms — framed on walls, tucked into scrapbooks, summoned each year with the familiar anticipation of “when is it coming, and what will it say?”

Victor Gottlieb performing Girl Scout Cookies

“When we attend the Habitat for Humanity homecomings celebrating the passing of the house keys to the family, I always beam with a big smile when the family wants to take pictures with our greetings. They become souvenirs in photo frames on the wall, or fill scrapbooks.”
— Leigh Rooke, Owner, Sign Gypsies Mechanicsville

If the photo spot plants a smile on your face, the live music will plant something even harder to shake. Ashland Song Contest winner Victor Gottlieb will take the stage and perform two original songs back to back: “Secretariat,” a tribute to the hometown hero of the horse world, and “Girl Scout Cookies,” an ode that may permanently rewrite the way you think about Tagalongs.

The chorus of “Girl Scout Cookies” is already earning its reputation as the earworm of the season:

“Girl Scout Cookies, I just can’t wait.
Girl Scout Cookies, they all taste great.
Girl Scouts are in town and cookies are around.
We’re glad to have you here in Ashland this year.”

Fair warning: you will not be able to stop singing “Girl Scout Cookies” for the same reason you cannot stop eating them.

Girl Scouts earning their Explore Ashland badges

Ashland Fourth Fridays has built a loyal following across Hanover County and beyond as one of the Richmond region’s most beloved free community events. Each fourth Friday from March through October — with a pause ahead of Ashland Train Day on Saturday, April 26 — downtown Ashland transforms into an open-air gathering place from 5 to 8 PM. Free live music fills the air, lawn games sprawl across the green, and Ashland Town Hall hums with local artisans, craft vendors, small business owners, and food purveyors who collectively make the case that downtown Ashland is not just the Center of the Universe but the center of everything worth doing in it.

On March 27, that universe expands to include youngest entrepreneurs selling cookies at their first public table, a birthday tribute to a legend born nearby, and a musician who turns community pride into something you can hum all the way home. Admission is free. Parking is easy. The cookies are limited, so arrive hungry.

WHAT: Ashland Fourth Fridays Season Opener — Secretariat & Girl Scout Cookie Celebration
WHEN: Friday, March 27, 2025, 5–8 PM
WHERE: 121 Thompson Street (Ashland Town Hall area)
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public

Luck of the COTU: Your Ultimate St. Patrick's Weekend Guide to Ashland, Virginia ☘️

Origin Beer Lab in historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia

Ashland, Virginia doesn't do anything halfway. So when St. Patrick's Day weekend rolls around, you can bet the Center of the Universe rolls out the green carpet in a big way. Whether you're a local looking to explore your own backyard or a visitor making the easy trip up from Richmond, this weekend is worth leaving the couch for. Here's everything you need to know to eat, sip, and celebrate your way through Ashland's most festive weekend of the year.

Start Sweet: Shamrock Cookies at The Henry Clay Inn 🍪

Before the music starts and the green jello shots start flowing, make a stop at The Henry Clay Inn's market for one of the weekend's most charming treats. The inn has stocked up on festive, made-from-scratch Shamrock Cookies — and trust us, they won't last long. Pick up a few for the road, grab one as a gift, or simply treat yourself. Because every great St. Patrick's Day starts with a little luck and a little sugar.

📍 114 N Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA

Luck in Every Cup: St. Paddy's Specials at Classic Coffee & Tea ☕

Fuel up for the festivities with a festive sip (or four) at Classic Coffee and Tea. Their St. Patrick's Day-inspired specialty menu is genuinely something to get excited about. Here's what's on the menu:

  • Lucky Charm — Crème de menthe, toasted marshmallow, and white chocolate. Basically a holiday in a cup.

  • Nutty Irishman — Irish cream and hazelnut. A classic that earns its name every time.

  • Winds of March — Frosted mint and dark chocolate. Cool, bold, and completely addictive.

  • Shipping Up to Boston — Irish cream, pistachio, and caramel. A flavor combination that belongs in the St. Patrick's Day hall of fame.

📍 112 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA

The Main Event: COTU Irish Festival 🎶

If there's one event that defines St. Patrick's weekend in Ashland, it's the COTU Irish Festival at Center of the Universe Brewing Co. Running from noon to 8:00 PM on Saturday, March 14th, this free, family-friendly festival brings together live Irish music, traditional food, specialty brews, and the kind of community energy that makes downtown Ashland so special. Whether you're bringing the kids or coming with your crew, the COTU Irish Festival is the anchor of your St. Paddy's Saturday — and it won't cost you a dime to walk through the door.

📅 Saturday, March 14 · 12:00–8:00 PM · Free Admission   📍 Center of the Universe Brewing Co., 11293 Air Park Rd, Ashland, VA

Downtown Goes Green: Railroad Avenue Street Party 🇮🇪

Simultaneously, the heart of downtown Ashland will be transformed into an Irish street celebration you won't want to miss. Starting at noon and going until close on Saturday, March 14th, South Railroad Avenue comes alive with Irish-themed food, festive drink specials, and live music from Don't Ask Ned. Think of it as a crawl in the best possible sense — just follow the green and let the good times take you where they will.

📅 Saturday, March 14 · 12:00 PM–Close · 📍 S. Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA

Dom's 3rd Annual St. Paddy's Bar Crawl: The One You've Been Waiting For 🍀

If you've heard the legend of Dom's Bar Crawl, you already know. And if you haven't — well, welcome to the best Saturday night of your year. Now in its third year, Dom's St. Paddy's Bar Crawl is a perfectly choreographed evening of food, free shots, live music, and shamrock-fueled shenanigans across three of Ashland's favorite spots. Here's how the night unfolds:

5–7 PM | Ashland Sportspage

Kick things off with food, drinks, chances to win gift cards, and — yes — FREE GREEN JELLO SHOTS 🟢. Collect your wristband here. That wristband is your golden ticket to free entry at Huddle Up later in the night.

7–8 PM | Andy's

The ultimate pregame stop. Andy's brings the energy up another notch with FREE ORANGE JELLO SHOTS 🟠. Grab your second wristband and get ready for the main event.

8 PM–12 AM | Huddle Up

This is where the night becomes a memory. Tëaze — a 100% Hair Metal band — takes over Huddle Up for a full-blown St. Paddy's party with live music, a packed dance floor, and enough energy to power the whole COTU. Your wristband gets you in free. Don't overthink it. Just go.

📅 Saturday, March 14 — All stops along Ashland's Railroad Avenue corridor

Cure the Shamrock Shakes: Sunday Morning at Cafe54 🍳

Every legendary Saturday night deserves an equally legendary Sunday morning. Head to Cafe54 for a restorative breakfast and — bless them — FREE COFFEE ☕. It's the Sunday AM reset your body ordered, and it's right there on Railroad Avenue. Stay downtown, sleep in, and stumble over when you're ready. No judgment here.

📍 100 N Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA · Sunday Morning

The Real Deal: St. Patrick's Day at Bravo Bakeshop 🧁

The celebration doesn't stop at the weekend. On March 17th — the actual St. Patrick's Day — Bravo Bakeshop goes full festive with Irish-inspired flavors, specialty desserts, and all the green treats your heart desires. It's the perfect sweet send-off to a weekend well spent in downtown Ashland.

📅 Tuesday, March 17 · 📍 Bravo Bakeshop, 278 Washington Hwy · bravobakeshop.com

Stay Downtown & Live Your Best St. Paddy's Life 🏨

Here's a pro tip: skip the traffic, skip the designated driver debate, and just stay in Ashland. The Henry Clay Inn puts you right in the heart of the action — within walking distance of every stop on this list. Wake up to shamrock cookies from the market, walk to coffee, stumble home from the bar crawl, and brunch the next morning without ever getting in a car. It's the St. Patrick's Day weekend you didn't know you needed.

📍 Henry Clay Inn, 114 N Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA · henryclayinn.com

See You in the Center of the Universe ☘️

Ashland has a way of making every celebration feel like it was made for exactly this moment — and St. Patrick's Day weekend is no exception. From the first shamrock cookie to the last jello shot, from hair metal at midnight to free coffee at sunrise, the Center of the Universe delivers.

Tag your photos, bring your crew, and we'll see you on Railroad Avenue. 🍺🎶🍀

Business Bootcamps Help Entrepreneurs Grow, Learn, and Succeed

Local business owners looking to sharpen their marketing skills and grow their revenue are invited to attend the Downtown Ashland Association’s Business Bootcamps, held on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00 – 7:30 PM at the Ashland Branch Library, 201 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005. Registration and more information are available here.

This March and April, the bootcamps are especially designed to help business owners gain clarity, confidence, and actionable tools to accelerate growth. These sessions feature Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching and Consulting bringing expertise, guidance, and an interactive approach to each workshop. We are proud to be co-promoting this workshop with the Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce (CVAACC),

In March, participants will dive into the art of validating their customers and understanding their market. Attendees will explore practical ways to identify their ideal customer, uncover insights about their target market, and leverage free and low-cost resources—ranging from library collections and government tools to emerging AI platforms. Through interactive exercises with fellow business owners, participants will learn how to implement a “test-and-learn” process, gain confidence in their marketing decisions, and leave with clear steps to grow their business.

Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce’s April’s Business After Hours event at Annie Ruth’s Wine Bar and Bistro in Midlothian, VA, with guest speaker Dr. Dwayne Whitehead

April’s session focuses on building a marketing strategy that works. Attendees will explore a variety of ways to market their business and will walk away with a 90-day plan designed to turn strategy into action. The workshop emphasizes execution and reflection, helping entrepreneurs evaluate results, refine approaches, and invest their time and money more efficiently to generate revenue.

“March and April are critical months for business growth,” says Dorian Cunion. “Many small businesses face slow revenue in January and February, and this year, challenges like snow and school closings have added extra hurdles. These workshops give entrepreneurs a chance to pause, reflect, and put a concrete plan in place to make up lost ground and accelerate revenue growth.”

Cunion hopes participants walk away with three key insights: that growth doesn’t have to be expensive, that free resources like the Ashland Branch Library are a powerful tool for learning and skill development, and that a focus on the fundamentals of marketing can dramatically improve time and money investment in growing revenue.

The impact of these workshops is already clear. “I first partnered with the Downtown Ashland Association on the Entrepreneur Bootcamp two years ago,” says Cunion. “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.”

Business Bootcamps in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

For CVAACC, the results are equally inspiring. During a Fall workshop for their Business Accelerator Program, participant Devine Crenshaw of Crenshaw Janitorial shared that the frameworks provided gave him clarity and direction for strategic planning. “With the right tools and guidance, small business owners can take confident, actionable steps toward success,” says Cunion.

The Downtown Ashland Association and CVAACC are dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs thrive. CVAACC’s mission is to support business growth, especially within the African American community, by connecting entrepreneurs to resources, education, and opportunities that strengthen and advance their businesses (www.cvaacc.org).

Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your marketing strategy, these bootcamps offer practical skills, networking, and expert guidance that can transform your business. For Ashland entrepreneurs ready to take their growth to the next level, attending the Business Bootcamps is more than an opportunity—it’s a smart business decision.

Date & Time: First Wednesday of every month, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Ashland Branch Library, 201 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005
Registration & More Info: https://www.ashlandvirginia.com/bootcamp

Ashland to Honor “Hero Dog” Gozier at Town Hall Ceremony

Hero Dog Gozier with owner Dan Dan DiCandilo - Ashland neighbor and Edward Jones Financial Advisor

On Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m., the Town of Ashland will pause during its regular Council Meeting to honor an unlikely hero — a loyal golden companion whose instincts saved a life on a bitter winter morning.

The ceremony will take place in the Council Meeting Chambers at Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson Street. Ashland neighbor and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Dan DiCandilo will be present — along with a life-size photo of the town’s newest four-legged legend, Gozier.

For nine years, Dan and Gozier have followed the same morning ritual.

“Gozier and I go for a walk every morning at quarter seven — we’ve done it for nine years,” Dan shared. “We walk over nine thousand miles.”

Through snow, rain, sun, and even frigid temperatures, the routine never breaks.

“It was fifteen degrees out that day, but she doesn’t care. She’ll go out in snow, rain, sun — whatever it is.”

On that particular morning, about 15 to 20 minutes into their walk, something changed.

Historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia in snow

“She started barking wildly — and the bark had a cry to it. I’ve never heard it before.”

Gozier was fixated on a nearby home. Dan looked carefully.

“I don’t see a cat. I don’t see a dog. I don’t see people. I don’t see anything. So I told her, ‘Come on, let’s go,’ and she wouldn’t go. She was pulling toward the house over and over and over.”

Then he noticed it — what appeared at first to be nothing more than a small pile of snow near the front steps.

“It didn’t look like anything… but that’s what she was barking at.”

As they moved closer, the truth came into focus.

“We noticed that it was a woman. She was definitely struggling — non-responsive, I would say, barely hanging on. No gloves, no hat, no shoes. Just stocking feet. She was in a white robe, which camouflaged her in with the snow, so you couldn’t see her.”

Dan immediately called 911 and rang the homeowners’ doorbell. All the while, Gozier stayed by the woman’s side.

“The whole time, Gozier’s was barking in her ear, trying to get her up.”

The homeowners confirmed the woman was not from their household. Emergency responders arrived quickly and transported her for medical care.

“From what I understand, her body temperature was seventy-eight degrees,” Dan said. “The homeowner’s Ring camera saw her out there at 4:15, so she was out in that weather with hardly anything covering her for three hours before we walked by.”

Then came the realization.

“If it wasn’t for Gozier, I would have never stopped — because I didn’t see anything.”

In a town known for neighbors looking out for one another, this act of instinct and persistence stands as a powerful reminder that sometimes heroes don’t wear capes — they wear collars.

On March 3, the Town of Ashland will officially recognize Gozier’s lifesaving action and celebrate the bond between a man, his dog, and a community that believes in showing up for one another.