ZZ Top, Brad Paisley set to rock Ashley for the Arts festival in Arcadia

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Tents, ticket booths, fencing and more are popping up throughout Memorial Park in Arcadia, signaling Ashley for the Arts is ready to rock.

The annual music festival brings a wide range of well-known acts to the small city from Thursday through Saturday.

This year's headliners on the main stage includes The Castellows, Daughtry, ZZ Top and Brad Paisley on Friday and Neon Trees, Chris Janson, Third Eye Blind and Darius Rucker on Saturday.

Tony Orlando was also recent added to the amphitheater stage lineup Thursday night.

Betsy Ottman, one of the event managers for the festival, said Orlando reached out to Ashley for the Arts and asked about performing. He also plans to talk about his upcoming book, she said.

Orlando has connections in Arcadia, Ottman said.

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"He wanted to come out and just have a special performance," she said. "We're excited to have him along with the rest of our side stage and main stage lineup."

People can expect to see performances from top regional artists during the festival as well.

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Many other events are also scheduled, including an art and craft fair, interactive art tent, inflatable air park, grilling demonstrations from The McLemore Boys, mini golf, painting in the park, hot air balloon launch, line dancing lessons, Pursuit of a Cure Glow Run and more.

A variety of food vendors also will be available.

The festival isn't just about getting together for music and fun, though. It's also about supporting community arts, as each year Ashley for the Arts supports the organizations that volunteer at the event.

"At its core, Ashley for the Arts is a nonprofit initiative, and through volunteerism, we're able to give back to over 70 nonprofits," Ottman said. "Almost every year we've been able to expand the number that we're able to donate back to."

Last year, more than $750,000 was raised for area organizations. That list includes schools in Arcadia, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Sparta, Onalaska, Holmen, Osseo, Mondovi and more.

The event also supports organizations like Eau Claire Kiwanis, American Cancer Society, Arcadia Ambulance Service, United for a Dream, Trempealeau County Humane Society, Trempealeau County Robotics and more.

"There are some organizations that this is their fundraiser of the year. This is how they're able to fund some of their programs," Ottman said. "So it's this really beautiful relationship of we're giving those students the opportunity, or those groups those opportunities, to come and fundraise for their cause, while we get their help with putting on the event."

For more festival information, including a full list of performers, activities and food vendors, and to buy tickets, visit www.ashleyforthearts.com.

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