Join us for the 2018 4th of July Celebration Wednesday, July 4th
This Celebration, now over 100 years old, is what makes Ashland a “great small town to live in.” The event begins with a run organized by the Ashland Parks & Recreation, followed by a Parade enjoyed by over 20,000 spectators each year beginning at 10:00am. After the parade concludes, there are over one hundred booths in Lithia Park featuring food, crafts, information and a Family Activity Zone while bands, including the Ashland City Band, perform all afternoon at the Lithia Park Bandshell. In the evening, enjoy the spectacular Fireworks which are visible all throughout town.
2018 4th of July Theme & Grand Marshal announcement and T-Shirt & Theme Design Contest
Thank you to the Ashland community for submitting theme nominations for the 2018 Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration.
This year’s theme will be -
Empowering Wellness Through Community
This year, we are honoring our community and collaborative spirit that makes Ashland such a special place. As we gather together to celebrate the 4th of July in Ashland, raise your voices whether you are singing for joy, community spirit, America or Independence Day, join the parade with your friends and celebrate – Empowering Wellness Through Community
For 2018, we wanted to highlight our community’s efforts to make Ashland a wonderful place to live and work through the power of wellness. Wellness not only means conscious healthy living, but MIND, BODY and SPIRITUAL wellness. Many organizations and community members work daily to make Ashland special. For example, for the 2018-19 year, OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) will celebrate their 25th anniversary. We look forward to honoring lifelong learning and continued support our local institutions such as OLLI, Ashland’s public and private K-12 schools, higher education (SOU and RCC), our vocational schools, the Ashland Public Library, local service clubs, Ashland YMCA and more! As we gather together to celebrate the 4th of July in Ashland, share your sense of community and join the Celebration with your organization, friends and family.
For the 2018 Grand Marshals, the Committee voted to honor Joyce Epstein and Mary Mastain. We will be inviting all those who are currently serving or are a Veteran to walk or ride in the Parade. Should you want to participate and to receive email instructions, please email Kelsey Frantz (kelsey@ashlandchamber.com).
Please help the Ashland Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Committee recognize these individuals for their great service to our Community and Country.
To commemorate the theme, the committee held a contest looking for a design to be used on the event t-shirt, posters, website and other promotional materials for the 2018 event. See this year's winning design and all submissions here.
Get involved -
Sponsor the 4th - The Ashland Chamber of Commerce is able to bring this free event to the community because of the generosity of our sponsors. Consider joining our sponsors in making this event happen. Click here to donate. Click here to donate.Parade and Booth Applications -Booth & Parade applications are now available online. If you participated in the event last year, you will automatically receive an application sent to you by email.
Volunteer Opportunities - Each year there are over 100 community members who volunteer for this wonderful event. There are many opportunities to get involved in both leading up to the event and on the day of. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Kelsey Frantz at (541) 482-3486, ext. 104 or by email, kelsey@ashlandchamber.com. See volunteer positions to the right.
Here are some examples of possible Volunteer Positions:
Selling t-shirts and providing information at grocery stores – during the weekends of June, the Ashland Chamber will have tables set up at local grocers where volunteers will have event t-shirts available for sale and information about the event details and schedule. Volunteers are needed to help fill these shifts.
Parade Volunteers - on the Fourth of July, many volunteers are needed to help direct parade entries, line them up correctly and help them move down the parade route safely. There are shifts both before and the during the parade. The best seat to watch the parade is being right on the route volunteering!
Parks Volunteers - on the Fourth of July, there are volunteer positions in beautiful Lithia Park directing vendor booths, checking in performers, helping with the Family Zone and providing general information to vendors and patrons. Shifts are available both before and after the parade.
Provide information on the day of – on the Fourth of July, volunteers are needed to help staff that Ashland Chamber’s event information booth. This booth has information about the event schedule, nearby bathroom options and water refilling stations. The booth also has event t-shirts and patriotic items for sale such as flags, beaded necklaces, etc.
Assisting in the Conservation efforts – throughout the afternoon on the Fourth, volunteers partner with Master Recyclers to assist vendors in the park with their recycling needs and check on the Clear Stream recycling centers. They collect cardboard and assist spectators with where their recycling options are. The final shift of these volunteers helps collect the Clear Streams from Lithia Park.
General event support – each segment of the Fourth of July celebration, whether it be the parade or the Lithia Park activities in the afternoon, or cleanup the day after at the Fireworks site, require volunteers to help with the coordination efforts. If you are interested in being a part of the general event team, we would welcome your support.
Fireworks cleanup - What goes up, must come down… Join us on 8:00am on July 5th with a wonderful group of volunteers who help in picking up the Fireworks Debris on the SOU Athletic Fields. All materials and pick-up sticks are provided.
We look forward to seeing you on the Fourth!
Click here
for information on the Ashland Parks and Recreation Fun Run.
