Downtown Ashland will be the home to a week of holiday-related activities, beginning Monday leading into the ninth annual Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15.
Ashland Downtown Inc., Old-Fashioned Christmas sponsor, will hold the activities at ADI mini-park, Centre and Fifth streets. American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434 will also be involved in some of the activities.
"This year, Ashland Downtown is sponsoring what we're calling 'Ashland's Week-Long Christmas Events' from Dec. 10 through 15," said Gregory Fisher, Ashland Main Street manager.
On Monday, judges will go through town from 6 to 9 p.m. for the holiday decoration contest, with prizes awarded for the Best Traditional Decorating, Best Whimsical Display and Best/Business/Storefront Holiday Display.
There will be a Kids' Christmas movie night at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside the legion building. Two classic Christmas television specials will be shown, Fisher said.
"Bring the kids for a free movie and we'll be handing out free popcorn and drinks," said Fisher.
On Wednesday, the ice chips will be flying as ADI holds an ice sculpturing competition at 6 p.m. The competitors will be Missy McCartney, culinary arts instructor at Schuylkill Technology Centers, and Tom "Ice Wrecker" Kane, owner of M&M Sandwich Shop, Ashland.
"They're going to carve from 6 to 7 and whoever is in attendance is going to judge on which one is the winner, who will receive a prize," said Fisher. Following the ice sculpture competition, the barbershop quartet New Found Sound will perform at 7:15 p.m.
Founded in 2004, the quartet from the greater Susquehanna Valley will fill the air with melodious four-part harmony. The group has performed in many locations and events, including Bloomsburg's First Night, and is a member of the Columbia/Montour County and Lewisburg chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
The Legion will sell bean soup and chili that evening.
On Thursday, there will be a gingerbread house competition from 6 to 8 p.m. in the legion building.
"The art club students at the North Schuylkill Elementary School are currently making the houses," said Fisher. "We will have them on display for spectators to vote on them. Each vote will be $1, with proceeds to go to the Ronald McDonald House in Danville." Santa Claus will be on hand to greet the children, who will also have the opportunity to decorate their own snowman cookies, which will be donated by Cinnamon Stix Sweets and Treats, Ashland.
The second candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in memory of those who have lost loved ones and are dealing with the loss during the holiday season. The vigil is not limited to Ashland area residents. Luminaries will be sold at $5 each, with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House.
