On Saturday Sept. 13 from 2 to to 7 p.m., in cooperation with the Appalachian Bearded Mafia, Ashland hosted its first “End of Summer Main Street Bash.”  

This family-friendly event was made with a goal to “focus on the downtown businesses as well as to see what downtown has to offer,” said Kandi McCrea, one of the organizers of the event.  

The event occurred just in time to show off “Peggy’s Pumpkin People,” who returned with new friends on Friday, Sept 12.  

Throughout the event there were many moving components such as the “Vintage Pin Up Pageant & Gala,” “Car, Truck, and Bike Show” and “Beards on Main.” 

While at first many were concerned about the contents of the “The Vintage Pin Up Pageant & Gala,” the rules quickly helped soothe minds. The rules stated, “Contestants are not permitted to wear lingerie or bathing suits as their outfits.”  

Prizes ranged from first place $500, second place $300 and third place $200.  

The “Car, Truck, and Bike Show” had an open registration from 2-4 p.m. and had 100 custom plaques to give away on a first come first serve basis. Four additional prizes were given to: Coolest Ride on Main St., Most Radical or Modified, Vintage Beauty, and Ladies Choice (selected by the Pin Up gala).  

All bikes and additional trophies were presented by Gargoyle Garage.  

All registration money, approximately $3,000, was donated to Ashland’s Safe Haven & ACTS 4 Love.  

The “Beards on Main” competition wasn’t just for men. Chris Hall, founder of the Appalachian Bearded Mafia, said, “We’re a community of bearded people to include women and children.” McCrea elaborated when talking about the unique mustaches she saw on women and children. 

Plans for the next Main Street Bash are already underway with a scheduled date of Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.