City to host trick or treat on Oct. 6

ASHLAND — Halloween arrives early in downtown Ashland as businesses in the central business district prepare to dish out tricks and treats during First Friday.

Ashland in Motion will host a special Halloween edition First Friday from 5-9 p.m on Friday, Oct. 6 “First Fright-Day” activities take place on Winchester Ave. between 14th St. and 18th St.

The Halloween themed event is the last First Friday of the 2017 season.

Downtown trick or treat will take place during the First Friday event. Several downtown businesses located in the central business district will participate as trick or treat locations, while also competing for the title of best Halloween display.

Downtown’s Halloween Display Competition is open to all businesses located in the central business district. Participating businesses will decorate their storefronts for the upcoming holiday. The competition is sponsored by Ashland in Motion and Kool Hits 105.7.

The community is encouraged to vote for their favorite business décor beginning Oct. 6 through Oct. 31. Visit Ashland in Motion’s Facebook page on Oct. 6 for a list of participating businesses and an online voting ballot.

Ashland in Motion will also host a No-Carve Pumpkin Contest that will take place during First Friday. The contest is open to all ages. There is no fee per entry.

No-carve pumpkins are pumpkins that are decorated by means other than carving. Pumpkins may be real or artificial. All decorating mediums are welcome.

Participants must register and submit entries by Monday, Oct. 2. Entries may be delivered to Ashland Boyd County Tourism located at 1509 Winchester Ave. Registration forms may be downloaded at www.ashlandinmotion.org/ or via the Ashland in Motion Facebook page.

Awards will be presented to first, second and third place winners. First place winner will receive an Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet (value $80); second place will receive a $50 Amazon gift card; third place winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

The winning pumpkins will be selected by People’s Choice votes during the Friday night event.

Each vote costs $1 and there is no limit on the number of votes one may purchase/submit.

The No-Carve Pumpkin Contest will be located inside the Camayo Arcade located at 1530 Winchester Ave. from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6.

The Town Square Bank Stage will feature live music performed by Revenant Souls. The Town Square Bank Stage is located at the intersection of 15th St. and Winchester Ave. facing the First Friday Beer Garden.

The First Friday Beer Garden is co-hosted by Fat Patty’s and features domestics, wine and specialty drinks. The beer garden is located on 15th St. adjacent to the restaurant.

First Friday will also feature the musical talents of students and instructors of the Aspire! Conservatory. Musicians and vocalists will perform on the sidewalk within the designated event space, some utilizing the recently debuted painted pianos sponsored by the Ashland Kiwanis Club.

Aspire! is an outreach ministry program of Ashland First United Methodist Church that provides private and group instruction for youth and adults in music, art, dance and drama.
Downtown venues Estate Thirty3 Vinyl located at 213 16th St., and Rhythm & Relics of the Camayo Arcade will also feature live music.

The Thoroughbred Agency will host a photography exhibit titled “Looking at Life Through a Lens,” featuring the work of Huntington Museum of Art students, under the instruction of photographer Larry Rees. The Thoroughbred Agency is located at 1430 Winchester Ave.

The Pendleton Art Center, located at 1537 Winchester Ave., will feature “Painting with the Pros,” hosted by resident artists Janet Lester and Sylvia Jackson. Instructors will offer suggestion and guidance to aspiring artists. Artists are encouraged to bring their own supplies and current projects.

The Friday night event also features extended downtown shopping and dining hours, the First Friday Classic Car Show and children’s inflatables and activities.

Children’s inflatables are sponsored by BC Tool and Party Rental and are $5 per child.
Classic Car Show participants may begin parking at 3 p.m. Classic Car Show registration is a $5 donation, which benefits hosting non-profit organizations, Coalition for the Cure of Parkinson’s and Ashland in Motion. Donation registers vehicles and enters participants into a nightly door prize drawing.

Classic cars are encouraged to embrace the event’s Halloween theme.

Coalition for the Cure of Parkinson’s mission is to create “hope for a cure,” creating outlets not only for raising research funds, but also serving as a spiritual and educational support system for families dealing with the disease. Coalition for the Cure of Parkinson’s is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Visit www.ccpdky.org/ to learn more about the organization.

For more information about upcoming Ashland in Motion contests and events, please visit www.ashlandinmotion.org/.