ASHLAND — Balloon swords, friendly mascots, and many smiling, painted faces could be found at Ashland Main Street’s second “Back-2 -School Celebration” on Monday.
The event, which attracted over 1,000 visitors, shut down Main Street between Claremont Avenue and Center Street to allow attendees to browse booths from local businesses, charities, churches, and public servants.
“We like the idea of making coming back to school exciting,” Ashland Main Street Executive Director Sandra Tunnell said.
“Not only are you getting back to school and stuff and thinking about the school, which maybe not everyone thinks is exciting, but you’re having fun, you’re seeing your friends, you’re getting cool things.”
School districts from all around Ashland County were invited to attend. Ashland City Schools in particular had a strong showing at the event, Tunnell said.
Free hot dogs and chips were available from South Street Grille, free snack boxes from Substance Church, free backpacks filled with school supplies from United Way, and free face painting from Ashland University.
Substance Church prepared 240 family snack boxes for the event, which amounted to around 1,500 individual snacks distributed, Deacon Tami Vanhove said.
“We’re always looking for ways to reach into the community. It’s the heartbeat of who we are and it’s part of our DNA,” Vanhove said.
The following dates account for the first day of instruction for school districts across the county. For more information, click on each district’s link:
• Aug. 17: Mapleton Local School District
• Aug. 17, 18, 23: Crestview Local Schools
• Aug. 23: Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools
• Aug. 22: Ashland City Schools
• Aug. 30: Black River Local Schools
• Aug. 30: Hillsdale Local School District
