Ashland Springboards Flowers and Finery with First Daffodil Springtacular in March
Kathy Clayton
The Ashland Beacon
Spring flowers and spring finery go hand in hand, and the first Daffodil Springtaclar will meld the two together in what Norma Meek and her committee hope will be an ongoing event for Ashland and the surrounding area.
The idea for the flower event sprang from the mind of Meek, a well-known activist for improving the community. Recognizing that so many stop by Central Park in the spring to revel in the bright fields of daffodils after the long, gray winter, she thought that would be a springboard (no pun intended) to make Ashland a spring event site.
“We want to do something to spread that cheer through our neighborhoods,” Meek explained. The group has planted thousands of bulbs around various neighborhoods and will have a kickoff event Sunday, March 17, at Central Park with a family walk.
“It’s much more than just a walk,” Meek enthused. “Mr. Easter Bunny will be there with his wife, Esther, to take pictures amongst the daffodils. We have hot chocolate, and we’re giving away about $2000 in prizes.” The event is sponsored by the Ashland Area YMCA. “You don’t have to sign up, and the walk around the park will begin at the shelter house.”
Part of the festivities will begin next week on March 1 when the Haberdashery Shop will open in the Highlands Museum. The hat shop project is headed by Clark Wiley, who said all proceeds will help fund the daffodil project.
“Spring flowers always bring to mind Easter finery,” Wiley said, “and the shop will have beautiful hats designed by Kimberly Watula,” who Wiley said is a former buyer for Nordstrom. “The Haberdashery Shop will have something for everyone – women, children, we even have ties for the men.” There will also be special socks for men, and cat and dog collars.
The Spring Spectacular will run from March 1-24. People can stop by the museum and pick up a map of the neighborhoods and areas where daffodils have been planted. So far, seven meadows have been planted with cheerful flowers, as well as at Armco Park and the large city of Ashland sign, and Meek said there has been a great response from the community in planting daffodils in their yards. The 2024 Springtacular will highlight the Bradley Drive neighborhood.
“Our goal is for Ashland to be designated as a spring event. We want to get people out to enjoy what Ashland has to offer, see our neighbors,” Meek declared. “We want this to be a festival that promotes love, beauty and peace.”
Also on hand will be Daphne Dil, the daffodil fairy. “The daffodil fairy helps keep them growing through the year after the long winter,” Wiley said. “Every time people see the daffodils bloom year after year, we want it to remind them of good times.”
Wiley is excited for the Haberdashery to bring in families. “The shop is in the area of the museum that long-time residents will recognize as the area where hats were sold when the building was Parsons Department Store.”
“They can make an appointment,” he continued. “We’re going to set up vanities back-to-back, and ladies can come in and try on different hats.” Wiley said he’s read up on Princess Diana’s designer, who emphasized using mirrors to make sure everything looked good coming and going. “I had never really thought of that.”
Wiley said that Ms. Watula has already designed some hats and will bring some with her, and someone is available to paint shoes to match. “And of course, the hats and matching gloves are essential for Derby parties.”
“And we are adding a special touch, a little crown, someplace on each item,” he said.
“We want to create an atmosphere from days gone by when department stores catered to women shopping, when everything was wrapped and taken to the car for them,” Wiley explained. “Bring your friends, make an appointment, and have tea and cookies.”
Meek noted that each year, the committee will recognize someone influential in the beautification effort.
“This year, our honoree is Dr. M.J. Wixsom, the veterinarian who started planting the daffodil bulbs many years ago.”
Meek praised the nine-member committee for their hard work. “We have so many great sponsors, and we were able to get a grant to help fund the Springtacular. The committee is also selling long-sleeved kelly green t-shirts. Order forms will be available at the family walk on March 17.
“We just want to emphasize that this is a family event and show off our beautiful town,” Wiley said.