Free shuttle service available for Ashland holiday festival

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

People looking to catch a break from the cold are encouraged to use the shuttle service for the "A Very Ashland Holiday" festival that is set to begin Friday evening.

The holiday festivities will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Downtown Ashland Business District.

According to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team, temperatures will be steady in the low 30s Friday night. People attending the "A Very Ashland Holiday" festival should wear extra layers and take advantage of the shuttle service.

A free shuttle will run throughout the evening from the Southern Boone Primary/Elementary School parking lot, making stops at the following locations:

• Downtown
• Redbud and Henry Clay
• Ashland Baptist Church
• Southern Boone Library
• Main Street

There will be holiday-inspired activities, entertainment and local businesses will participate, spanning multiple locations along Henry Clay, Broadway, Main Street, and the American Legion Hall. Some of the holiday-inspired features include:

• Santa, Mrs. Claus & live reindeer (Multipli Credit Union, 5:30–7:30 PM)
• Holiday crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, and giveaways
• Carolers, story time, letter-writing to Santa
• Fire truck displays & decorated Jeeps
• Living Nativity (Ashland Baptist Church, 5–7 PM)
• Horse-drawn carriage rides (American Legion area)
• Gingerbread contest, photo ops, community mitten drive
• Local shopping, maker booths, and food options throughout downtown

On Saturday, the City of Ashland will also be holding its annual Park Board Christmas Parade. Due to the Christmas parade, some streets along the route will be closed, according to a social media post from the Ashland Police Department.

The parade will begin at 6 p.m. at Southern Boone Elementary and the closed roadways will reopen once the final parade float passes.