Ashby Appreciation Days set to sparkle July 12-16

Jake Sias
Grant County Herald

Ashby is gearing up to celebrate its annual Appreciation Days festival from July 12th through the 16th. The five-day event aims to be a delightful affair for residents and visitors alike.

The festivities kick off on Wednesday, July 12th, with free root beer floats at Viking Bank from 3-5pm. Family Night at the Park is a highlight of the day, offering a hot dog meal from 5:30-7pm (or until gone) courtesy of Evansville Meat Market. A Kiddie Parade with prizes for the best Patriotic and General category costumes will commence at 6pm. The day concludes with kids’ activities, craft booths, family BINGO, and an outdoor movie showing of “A Goofy Movie” at dusk, sponsored by Park Region Telephone.

The Ashby Appreciation Days takes a sporty turn on Thursday, July 13th, with the PRBA Championship Games, hosted at the Ashby School Ballpark throughout the evening.

On Friday, July 14th, Ashby will honor its notable citizens at the Ashby Legacy Award Ceremony, recognizing the commendable contributions of 2023 inductees Winnie Thompson, Tom Grover, and Paul Ellingson. The evening features an open house at the fire hall with equipment demos and truck tours, a Steak Fry at the Ashby Legion, and a grand fireworks display at the school ball fields.

Saturday, July 15th, is a packed day beginning with the Ashby 5K/10K & Family Fun Run at the Central Lakes Trail. Food Shelf Breakfast, a Horseshoe Tournament, a Golf Scramble, a Street Fair, and live music performances are also on the schedule. Children can enjoy inflatables, a petting zoo, and an archery fun shoot. The day wraps up with a big parade and a parking lot dance at the Legion.

The festival culminates on Sunday, July 16th, with the Lion’s Pancake Breakfast and the Community Worship in the Park. 

As part of an eco-conscious initiative, this year’s festival will use compostable paper products for many of its food events, courtesy of Grant County Solid Waste. Organizers are urging participants to use the provided green bins for compostable products. 

Appreciation Days is a community-driven event, and donations are welcomed to support the festivities. Contributions can be made via mail by sending a check to “Appreciation Days c/o ALF, PO Box 301, Ashby, MN 56309” or making an online donation at www.ashbylegacyfund.org with “Appreciation Days” as the note.

Detailed information about Appreciation Days 2023, including a full list of events and registration details for the 5K/10K, Street Fair, and Parade, can be found at www.ashby5k.com.