Editor's Note:
This story was updated on Monday, Dec. 8 to reflect the winners of the parade's float competition.
ASHLAND — There was much to celebrate Saturday on the cold streets of Ashland as thousands amassed for the city’s annual Christmas parade.
The most obvious celebration focused on the Christmas season, with 83 themed floats wowing the crowd-lined Main Street and Claremont Avenue.
Each float paraded past judges staged at Corner Park, who noted competitors’ interpretations of this year’s theme: Make Christmas Sparkle — a nod to the mayor’s mantra to make Ashland sparkle.
Who won?
There were 1st, 2nd and 3rd placements for two categories: commercial and noncommercial. Each winner received a trophy and cash prizes of
$250, $150 and $100.
Commercial:
- 1st place: Coldwell Banker Ward Real Estate Inc.
- 2nd place: Comfort Control
- 3rd place: Campbell’s
Noncommercial:
- 1st place: The Ashland Kroc Center
- 2nd place: J&H Lawncare and Snowplowing LLC
- 3rd place: Ashland Elks #1360
The judges also picked floats they thought bst exemplifies the “Make Christmas Sparkle” theme:
- McB Paving and Sealcoating
- J&H Lawncare and Snowplowing LLC
(Story continues under the gallery.)
The hour-long parade wrapped with the usual tree-lighting ceremony and a glorious fireworks display.
Ashland honored as ‘Best Hometown’
But the underlying benefactor of the Saturday’s celebration was the City of Ashland itself.
The publisher of Ohio Magazine joined Ashland Mayor Matt Miller and state Rep. Melanie Miller at the foot of the giant Christmas tree, just before lighting it.
Ashland joined four other cities in Ohio this year in the magazine’s annual Best Hometowns issue — a first for the city. The magazine started the annual designation in 2006, with editors highlighting five cities each year.
Jim Vickers, the magazine’s managing editor, said he’s been involved in the selection process since 2013.
“It’s been really interesting visiting so many towns and seeing all the good things happening,” he said.
Ashland, Vickers said, stood out in three ways — its connection between the Ashland University campus and community, downtown and its diverse offerings of traditional and new community events.
Ohio Magazine’s associate editor, Gracie Metz (an AU alum), wrote the feature on Ashland for the Best Hometown issue. The issue is available on newsstands across Ohio and the city will be featured again in the magazine’s travel issue in August 2026.
Miller accepted a framed version of the magazine’s cover of the Nov./Dec. 2025 issue following brief remarks by Lute Harmon, the magazine’s publisher, who reiterated Ashland’s place among the best hometowns.
“Did you hear that, Ashland? He said we’re the best hometown in Ohio,” Miller said, beaming.
Miller then let Santa Claus lead the city in counting down from 10, to light the tree and launch the pyrotechnics that brightened the December sky.