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Ashley for the Arts Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Record-Breaking $750,000 Donation to Local Non-Profits

Ashley for the Arts marked its 15th anniversary with a spectacular three-day festival in Arcadia, Wisconsin, raising over $750,000 for more than 70 local non-profit organizations. The event featured a diverse lineup of musical performances, art displays, and family-friendly activities, making it one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events.

Key Takeaways

Event Duration: August 8-10, 2024
Funds Raised: Over $750,000
Beneficiaries: More than 70 local non-profit organizations
Main Attractions: Musical performances, art and craft vendors, family activities
Next Event: Scheduled for August 7-9, 2025

Festival Highlights

The festival kicked off on August 8 with performances by The Jimmys, Josieellen, The VanDwellers, and Them Coulee Boys, concluding with a fireworks display. The event also featured the annual Pursuit of a Cure Glow Run, which saw 375 participants and raised funds for medical research and emergency medical costs.

Art and Craft Vendors

Over 75 art and craft vendors lined Memorial Park Drive, showcasing and selling their unique creations. The Ashley Zone highlighted Ashley Furniture’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, including Heartworks, City of Hope, and Wreaths Across America. Children enjoyed interactive activities in the "How It’s Made" section, where they could design their own Ashley products.

Family-Friendly Entertainment

The festival offered a wide range of family-friendly entertainment, including street performers, fire dancers, an extreme pogo stunt show, and line dancing lessons. Other activities included Painting in the Park with The Paint Shack, 11 local school performances, and three side stages featuring music and family entertainment. The Timberwork’s Lumberjack Show also made a return, delighting audiences with its Northwoods logging history performance.

Main Stage Performances

The multi-genre Main Stage lineup included performances by Old Dominion, Journey, Bret Michaels, The Script, Vertical Horizon, LOCASH, Tigirlily Gold, and Neal McCoy. A hot air balloon launch preceded Bret Michaels’ performance, and the festival concluded with Old Dominion’s hit song "I Was On A Boat That Day" under a star-filled sky.

Community Support and Volunteers

The success of Ashley for the Arts is attributed to the unwavering support from fans, volunteers, sponsors, and the local community. Over 3,500 volunteer shifts were filled, ensuring the smooth operation of the event. Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC, the host sponsor, along with numerous community and corporate sponsors, made the event possible by providing affordable access to music and arts for the entire weekend.

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars for the next Ashley for the Arts festival, scheduled for August 7-9, 2025, in Arcadia, Wisconsin. For more information, visit the official Ashley for the Arts website.