Downtown Bicentennial Kickoff
Saturday, June 27, 2015 - 12:00pm
Presented By: Ashland Main Street
www.ashland200.com
Sponsored by Kingston of Ashland
Ashland’s celebration of its 200th anniversary will heat up with a Downtown Bicentennial Kickoff celebration that will feature a variety of events on Saturday, June 27.
The day-long celebration, which is sponsored by Kingston of Ashland, will start at 12 noon at the stage located in Kinnaman Park next to Home Hardware with the raising of the flag presented by the Ashland Honor Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by Elizabeth Ewers-Jankowski of Kingston of Ashland.
The opening events also will include a prayer and ceremony involving Ashland Mayor Glen Stewart and Rick Spreng, co-chair of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee.
“Bring your family downtown and join us as we kick-off Ashland’s Bicentennial commemorative events,” Spreng said. “The downtown will be full of fun, games, food and sidewalk sales great for the whole family!”
Following the opening ceremony, famous historical Ashlanders will be present on stage to talk about Ashland’s 200th birthday.
Then from 12:30 to 5 p.m., there will be a family fun time with bounce houses, kids games, nature crafts, chair caning demonstration, band organ demonstration, sidewalk sales, food, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, backyard games, area mascots and food vendors. The Humane Society will sponsor an adopt a pet, balloon canvas painting, a photo booth and more.
From 1 to 3 p.m., the Historical Museum will be open for the public to tour and also offer the public an opportunity to talk with the Ashland historical characters.
At 1 p.m., there will be a Limbo Contest on the stage for kids of all ages, courtesy of the Ashland Kroc Center as well as a Corn Hole double elimination tournament from 1 to 2 p.m., courtesy of Kingston of Ashland. At 1:30 p.m., introductions of the Queen Pageant contestants will be made on stage and at 3 p.m., judging for the Beard Growing Contest will take place on the stage.
“Make sure to join the celebration from 3 to 10 p.m. for the many food options and a Beer Garden in the Home Savings parking lot presented by the Ashland Elks,” Spreng said.
The evening will conclude with concerts by two local groups – the Jessica Hannan Band from 5 to 7 p.m. and Krush from 8 to 10 p.m.
The Jessica Hannan Band is a modern country music band based out of Mansfield, Ohio. The band, which played more than 75 shows throughout the state of Ohio last year, plays a mix of new and old country favorites and is known for the high-energy they bring to the stage. The band, led by vocalist Jessica Hannan, is in the process of recording its first Nashville recorded and produced EP. Other band members include David Haag on drums, Mark Merchant on lead guitar, Andy Haupricht on bass and Tom Shields on keyboards and vocals.
Krush is a high energy classic rock group from Ashland, Ohio, consisting of professional veteran musicians Keith Kobilack on guitar and lead vocals, Kevin Kobilack on drums and lead vocals, and Garry Denney on bass and vocals. Their distinctive style of danceable classic rock is combined with a unique and original stage show that is entertaining and energetic, while also incorporating costumes, choreography and outrageous stage antics that showcase their showmanship.
The City of Ashland is celebrating its 200th year anniversary during 2015 and its year-long celebration is sponsored by Donley Auto Group. For more information on these and other events, please go to the Bicentennial website at http://www.ashland200.com/.
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