Ashby Digest

4th annual Ashby Bluegrass Festival

The fourth annual Ashby Bluegrass Festival, a fundraiser for the Ashby Historical Society, will be Saturday, Aug. 20, at Ashby Stock Farm and Equestrian Center on Route 119.

Performers will take to the stage between 1 and 6 p.m. Acts include the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band, James Delnero and Lost Mountain, and the Rambling Floyds. Other activities include free hayrides, a silent auction, Morgan horses, antique cars, door prizes, and a book table hosted by the Ashby Library.

A catered buffet dinner by McNally’s Restaurant, of Westminster, will be served at 5 p.m. Dinner tickets must be purchased by Aug. 10 and cost $25 per adult and $15 each for children ages 8-12. Checks are payable to Ashby Historical Society, c/o Lillian Whitney, 119 County Road, Ashby, MA 01431.

Tickets for music only may be purchased upon entrance, $10 per adult, $5 each for children ages 8-12. Children 7 and under are admitted free.

The event is rain-or-shine and will move indoors if necessary. For more information call (978) 386-5653. Flying Irish open house

The Flying Irish Studio is also expanding its Irish Dance roster with additional classes that offer students the opportunity to concentrate in both hard shoe and soft shoe, as well as study ceile and choreography. The studio will also continue to hold aerial classes, including web rope, static trapeze, and cloud swing.

You can find out about fall classes at the Flying Irish Studio, the only facility in the world dedicated to both Irish Dance and aerial instruction, at its open house on Aug. 26 and 27, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Flying Irish Studio is located on Route 119 in Ashby, about one mile from the New Hampshire border. For more information, visit (www.irishstepdancing.com). Lipizzan Stallions

The Friends of the Ashby Free Public Library are pleased to present The Original Herrmann’s Royal Plaza Lipizzan Stallions, appearing at Allen Field, on Friday, Sept. 2, at 4 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 3, at 4 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m.

Tickets prices for the performances are: adults; $12 in advance and $15 at the gate, children 6-12 years; $8 in advance and $10 at the gate, Senior Citizens; $10 in advance and $10 at the gate, groups of 20 or more; $10 per person, and children under 6 are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ashby Free Public Library.

For other ticket locations or information, please call (978) 386-5377. Attention Crafters!

Now is the time to reserve your spot for the Annual Pumpkin Festival. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 1. To reserve your spot, please call Tricia McPherson at (978) 386-0093 or e-mail her at triciamcpherson@comcast.net.