ARCADIA, WI – Ashley for the Arts, one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, hosted more than 50,000 visitors at the three-day music and art festival in Arcadia’s Memorial Park this past August. With increased growth and popularity, the annual event raised over $425,000 for more than 40 participating school districts and non-profit organizations. Over the last three months, the Ashley for the Arts committee has been busy presenting participating schools and organizations with their monetary donations as well as honoring 29 individuals for their dedication and support in their local communities.
The monetary donations, which are awarded to participating organizations, are based on involvement. Each group raises funds per volunteer that assists at the event as well as additional funds for schools who perform at the event. This year’s event supported the following school districts: Alma, Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan, Aquinas Catholic School, Arcadia Holy Family Catholic School, Arcadia, Black River Falls, Blair-Taylor, Cochrane-Fountain City, Cotter, Eleva-Strum, Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau, Holmen, Hope Lutheran High School, Independence, Melrose-Mindoro, Mondovi, Osseo-Fairchild, St. Boniface Catholic School, St. Matthews Catholic School, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School, West Salem, Whitehall and Winona. In addition, this year’s event supported the following non-profit organizations: Frenchville Cloverleaves 4H, Merrick Park, Montana Ridge Pioneers, Blue Angels Gymnastics, Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire Explorer Post 521, Team Vogel vs. Cancer, Trempealeau County Horse Project, Trempealeau County Fair, Troop 43 (Boy Scouts), Venturing Crew 13 (Boy Scouts), American Cancer Society, Arcadia Ambulance, Ashley's Angels, Arcadia Lion’s Club, Arcadia Lioness Club, OLPH Mission, and Rita Tranberg Memorial.
Ashley for the Arts created the Humanitarian Award to honor people who go above and beyond to make their schools and communities better. The award recognizes people who are role models and inspire others to become better human beings. Each year, participating school districts select a Humanitarian recipient and acknowledge them during the Ashley for the Arts check presentation ceremony. This year’s Humanitarian recipients included: Marie Bentz (Alma), Jeanine Strandberg (Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan), Donna Cramer (Aquinas Catholic School), Antoinette Johnson (Arcadia Holy Family Catholic School), Luis Cruz (Arcadia), Peter & Jone Hoffman (Black River Falls), Carolyn Frederixon (Blair-Taylor), Jenny Ehlenfeldt (Cochrane-Fountain City), John Broadwater (Cotter), Debbie Wright (Eleva-Strum), Chris Petersen (Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau), Trygve Mathison (Holmen), Larry Finke (Hope Lutheran High School), Keith & Nancy Edison (Independence), Tory Lockington (Melrose-Mindoro), Lori Vetterkind, Tessa Harmon and Jim Rud (Mondovi), Buzz Thompson (Osseo-Fairchild), Darlene Slaby (St. Boniface Catholic School), Duane & Cindy Paubicki and Rich & Andrea Frick (St. Matthews Catholic School), Ryan Nelson (West Salem), Richard Staff (Whitehall) and Ray Felton (Winona).
This year will be Ashley for the Arts’ 10th anniversary. The charity music and art festival will take place on August 9, 10 and 11 at Memorial Park in Arcadia, Wis. Headlining entertainers Rascal Flatts, Andy Grammer, Chris Janson and Carly Pearce have already been announced with more to come. To learn more about Ashley for the Arts and to receive event updates, visit www.ashleyforthearts.com or "like" Ashley for the Arts on Facebook.
Ashley for the Arts is a non-profit initiative that provides the entire family with world class entertainment, art, exercise and play for a remarkably low cost. It is also one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, raising more than $425,000 in 2017 for more than 40 non-profit organizations, including participating schools, children’s charities and medical research. This music and arts festival was conceptualized and established by Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. in 2009. Today, more than 50,000 people attend the event held in Arcadia, Wisconsin’s Memorial Park.
For more information on Ashley for the Arts, visit www.ashleyforthearts.com. "Like" Ashley for the Arts on Facebook, follow AshleyfortheArts on Instagram or follow us on Twitter at @AshleyfortheArt.