Around Town: June 11, 2025

By: Ernie Wren
This Saturday, Father’s Day Weekend, is the annual Ashland Optimist Fishing Derby. The Derby will be held at the Ashland City park pond on Saturday, June 14th from 9:00-10:30am. We could always use some experienced hands, Tara Blue is coordinating this and would appreciate at least four volunteers to help with set up, helping young fishers, and help with clean up. Please contact her at bluebirdtara@gmail.com if you can help.

The Arcie Sapp blood drive is scheduled for Wed. June 25th from 2-6pm. If you can donate, please help. This will be at the Ashland Optimist Club, and is dedicated to Arcie, who was a wonderful member of the community.

CALLING ALL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS! Show your patriotism and get some business exposure by participating in the July 4th Independence Day parade! “If your club, group, org, or business would like to be in the Ashland Fourth of July Parade this year, reach out to sweet Sharon Adams: fstygm@hotmail.com (or text/call: 573-424-0920). It’s 100% FREE (n’ all kinds of fun).” (FB).

For those of you wanting to watch and catch candy, the parade starts at 9AM on Friday, July 4 and takes the following route: North on Henry Clay Blvd, Through the roundabout and west on Broadway, South on Main Street, Then loop back to the school lots via South Henry Clay Blvd to disband.

The highly anticipated Cattlemen Days Rodeo is set to return this year with thrilling events, top-notch rodeo athletes, and family-friendly entertainment, and we are excited to announce that tickets for the 2025 event will go on sale May 1st at 10:00am CST! (https://cattlemendaysrodeo.com/)

There is the Fall Festival scheduled for September 13th, Saturday, starting at 9am. Per the city, “Come join in on the fun! Lots of wonderful things to do. There will be a Car Show, Vendors, Concessions. If you would like to be a vendor the link will is posted below.
https://www.ashlandmo.us/162/Fall-Festival”.

One question that’s been going “around town,” is whether or not the intersection on Main Street outside of city hall, still has two lanes going south, one for turning east on broadway, and one for going straight on south main. Mayor Dorise Slinker stated that the striper is working with public works and it should be fixed soon. Hopefully, some day they will also look at Johnson Street between Henry Clay and Main Street to make it one way like they did with Redbud.

“The only thing I like better than a sunny day is a rainy day, because it gives me a perfect excuse to cancel all my plans and do absolutely nothing instead.” (Quotesanity.com)