Annual Events

Ashby Legacy Fund, a community-led foundation, strives to make Ashby, Minnesota, a special place to live for generations to come. This includes our focus on fostering community via a variety of annual events that take place in the community each year.

Appreciation Days

Ashby’s annual festival is held the third weekend in July and is rooted in a long tradition of area businesses expressing their “appreciation” to their community and customers. Over the years, this has grown to a weekend full of free activities for the whole family sponsored by the ALF, including an outdoor movie in the park, 5K/10K race, kiddie parade, live music and lunch in the park, petting zoo, large inflatable kids’ activities, and parade. There are also many events hosted by other area organizations and businesses during this fun-packed weekend.

Learn More

Appreciation Days 5K, 10K, and Family Fun Run

Held during the Appreciation Days weekend, the annual Ashby 5K, 10K, and Family Fun Run is a chip-timed race with over 200 participants. With the generous support of event sponsors, this has grown into fun event and an important fundraiser for the ALF. In 2021, the race will take place on July 17th.

Classroom Fundraisers

Each year, students are required to participate in a classroom fundraiser, in order to stay enrolled in the scholarship program. Our goal is to teach children, at a very young age, the importance of community service and giving back. We want to encourage students to come up with a creative fundraiser, that they can take pride in.

Day of Caring

Day of Caring is held the end of May each year. Students and Staff spend the day beautifying Ashby and helping out the Community. Examples of projects are: painting curbs, cleaning parks, washing business windows, yard clean-up for the elderly, painting fire hydrants, trail and lake access clean-up, washing busses & fire trucks and helping local business with various tasks.

Fall Fundraiser

Our Fall Fundraiser Event is held annually, the first Saturday in October, at the Ashby Legion. This event is for anyone, ages 21 and up. We host a huge online auction, which is typically our biggest fundraiser of the year. Come and enjoy bidding, food & beverages, music and learn about the Ashby Legacy Fund. If you would like to donate an item to this event, contact Heidi Hoff at [email protected].

Legacy Awards Ceremony

The Community of Ashby will be hosting the first annual Ashby Legacy Awards on Friday, July 16th at 5:30pm at the Ashby City Park. This event will showcase individuals who have made an impactful difference in the Ashby community, past or present. This event will take place during Appreciation Days each year. Community, family and friends are encouraged to attend.

Ashby holds a special place in our hearts and we would like to take some time to recognize individuals each year who have left their mark in this amazing community. We are accepting nominations now, until June 15, 2021. Please print out a nomination form here.

Red, White, and Blue Parade

The Red, White, and Blue Parade is an annual event held before the 4th of July that was first started by Benson’s Daycare. Everyone is asked to dress in their favorite red, white and blue colors. Kids decorate bikes, wagon, etc. and have a Kiddie Parade down Main Street. The parade ends in the City Park and is followed by a free-will offering meal, with proceeds going toward updating and installing playground equipment in the City Park. Emily Hohman is the current director of this event.

Santa Day

Held the first Saturday in December, the annual Santa Day is a cherished tradition with local families. Featuring great photo opportunities with Mr. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides around town, a kids’ craft project, and holiday treats, this free event is the perfect way to usher in the Holiday Season.

Staff Appreciation Event

In an opportunity to thank the Ashby School Staff for the amazing work they do each year; the School Team hosts a staff appreciation. They have had a luncheon and they have updated the staff lounge. Our staff goes above and beyond each year and helps with student fundraisers and this is our opportunity to say thank you.