Ashland Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday With Patriotic Parade Through Downtown
ASHLAND — Red, white and blue filled downtown Ashland as the city kicked off its America 250th Birthday Bash with a patriotic parade celebrating freedom, community and the nation’s historic milestone.
The celebration began Saturday morning under sunny skies, with crowds lining Claremont Avenue and Main Street as Ashland came together to honor America’s 250th birthday. Mayor Matt Miller, joined by State Representative Melanie Miller and Shelley Keer from Mix 106.1 WVNO, welcomed the community to what quickly became a powerful display of hometown pride.
“Today we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the greatest nation on the face of the earth,” Miller said during the parade broadcast. “It was founded on the principle of freedom, and we’re so excited that you came out to join us on this beautiful morning.”
The parade route began near Ashland University at King Road, College Avenue and Claremont Avenue, then traveled down Claremont Avenue to East Main Street before continuing toward Union Street. Along the way, families waved flags, children dressed in patriotic colors, and downtown Ashland showed once again why it is known for strong community spirit.
Miller said the city was proud to celebrate America’s birthday in true Ashland fashion, with patriotic decorations throughout town, including a towering Uncle Sam near Claremont and Main and a patriotic eagle near Bicentennial Park.
“When I look down Main Street, I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to deny the fact this city knows how to celebrate the red, white and blue,” Miller said.
The parade was led by Ashland City Council President Steve Workman and Councilman-at-Large Dr. Dan Lawson, who carried the parade banner ahead of local law enforcement. The Ashland Police Division, joined by members of the Mansfield Motorcycle Brigade, helped lead the parade through downtown.
The VFW Post 1067 Honor Guard followed, drawing applause from the crowd as veterans were recognized for their service and sacrifice. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland City Fire Department and other first responders also took part in the parade, receiving thanks from the community for their service.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider was represented in the parade, along with Sgt. Angie Hamilton and therapy K-9 Princess from the DARE/SRO team. The Ashland City Fire Department, which serves the city as well as Milton and Montgomery townships, also received a warm welcome.
The Ashland Elks Lodge 1360 served as the primary sponsor for the day’s celebration, with support from the Ashland County Community Foundation, Ashland Main Street, the Ashland Eagles Club and Culver’s. Ashland Main Street volunteers helped organize the parade lineup, continuing their tradition of supporting major downtown events.
The parade included a wide variety of patriotic entries including, Kenneth Hammontree portraying General George Washington in the spirit of 1776, riding in a 1998 Humvee owned and driven by Tim Moss, an Marine veteran. The Push and Pull children’s parade brought some of Ashland’s youngest patriots to Main Street, with decorated bikes, wagons and plenty of red, white and blue.
The Ashland County Community Marching Band made its inaugural performance during the parade. The band includes musicians ranging in age from 14 to 90 and brought patriotic music to the streets of Ashland as part of the historic celebration.
Local groups and organizations also filled the parade route, including Ashland Regional Ballet and Opus II Dance Studio, the Ashland Noon Lions, Ashland Arts Center, Darcy’s Marchers from Mansfield, the Daughters of the American Revolution, St. Edward School, Quincy’s Refuge, American Legion Riders Post 88, the Ashland Area Jeep Club, Explore Ashland Ohio, and many others.
One of the special moments of the parade came when Korean War veteran Cloyd McNall rode through downtown in a World War II Jeep driven by his grandson, Anthony Tobias. Both men are proud United States veterans, with McNall serving in the Air Force and Tobias serving in the Navy.
The celebration also featured historic and patriotic displays, including Ashland Masonic Lodge No. 151’s float depicting George Washington crossing the Delaware River, a Civil War-style cannon display by William Rotor, and a large group of veterans from Savannah, Ohio.
The parade also brought plenty of fun, including tractors, monster trucks from Gearhart’s Garage, a long line of Jeeps, the Amazing Giants stilt walkers from Columbus, and the Salvation Army’s 45-foot float celebrating 140 years of service to Ashland County.
Following the parade, the city’s America 250 celebration was set to continue at 2 p.m. with the dedication of the new Freedom Monument on Fourth Street. More than 250 Ashland County veterans were expected to take part in the ceremony, which Miller described as a meaningful and historic moment for the city.
The day was also scheduled to continue with a major birthday celebration at Freer Field, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with food trucks, live music from Tom’s Kitchen Table Band and Rare Vintage, giveaways, birthday cake pops, and a fireworks show double the size of the city’s usual display.
Miller said the parade was only the beginning of a full day meant to honor the country, celebrate freedom and recognize those who made that freedom possible.
“We enjoy all of this because of their sacrifice,” Miller said. “These are good days to be an American.”
From veterans and first responders to children, churches, community groups, businesses and families, Ashland showed up in full force to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
And on a warm summer morning in downtown Ashland, the message was clear: this city loves America, honors its heroes and knows how to celebrate the red, white and blue.
See the 2026 Ashland Patriotic Parade Photo Galleries:
2026 Ashland Patriotic Parade Photo Gallery (Part 1 of 4)
