Climate Wins 1st Place in the Ashland 4th of July parade!
Huge thanks to everyone who showed up bright and early on July 4th to make the first Ashland Climate Collaborative 4th of July Parade experience an absolute blast, and—most importantly—helped us put a positive spin on climate action for a crowd of thousands.
Ashland Climate Executive Director Erin O’Kelley Muck organized our parade entry, which attracted 27 people ages 5 to 83 riding on decorated bikes. Participants included beloved Ashland community members Tia McLean, Kari Robertson, and Jay Preskenis, as well as Ashland Climate board members Lorrie Kaplan and Sharon Dohrmann. Gary, Mike, and Thor represented our Streets for Everyone action team. Two other teams were represented by Compost Bob and Electrify Ashland Now John.
We had a ton of First Friday Bike Ride regulars and folks who volunteer at the community bike shop, too. In addition, the legendary Dave Nourie wowed the crowd with gravity-defying bike tricks, and Tyler Hawkins amazed on his double-decker bike.
You know you’re doing something right when the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director says…
“You were one of my favorite parade entries!” Tim Bond
🤯
Besties Kari Robertson (zumba instructor), Erin O’Kelley Muck (our executive director), and Tia McLean (Helman kindergarten teacher) bring joy and sparkles to climate action!
This year’s parade theme was “the magic of community,” and apparently, we struck the right chord, because our parade entry won first place! Thank you, Ashland Chamber of Commerce judges, for choosing us as the winner of this year’s parade.
When is winning a parade contest NOT just about winning a contest? When you’re trying to build a positive, solutions-oriented movement that everyone will want to be a part of! Here’s a glimpse inside our parade game plan…
Share hope, action, and hello!
This was a big chance to introduce ourselves—and let the community know we exist. “We’re the Ashland Climate Collaborative and we focus on the big moves to reduce climate pollution.”
As we rode our decorated bikes down Siskiyou Boulevard and Main Street, we sported uplifting, clear messages like:
- We are Ashland Climate!
- Climate action gives us hope?
- Why? We love our kids!
- We focus on the BIG MOVES!
- BIG MOVE clean transportation
- Biking is a climate solution
- BIG MOVE electrify your home!
- BIG MOVE compost food scraps!
- Keep food out of landfills
- We got this Ashland!
- Let’s protect future generations!
- Join Us! ashlandclimate.org
Bring the JOY!
When you think of global warming and climate change, it can be overwhelming and downright dreadful.
We want to turn that vibe upside down, because here’s the thing: action brings joy! Action gives hope! Joy and hope build community and create more action! And that’s what we call a virtuous cycle. What’s more, many of the things we do together to reduce climate pollution are fun, like feeling fresh air and hearing birds sing when we do our errands by bike.
“It’s exhilarating and empowering to know that TOGETHER, we can make a difference!” – Erin O’Kelley Muck
So we pumped Happy by Pharrell Williams, clapped along with the song and the crowd, and dazzled everyone with Dave Nourie’s gravity-defying bike tricks and Tyler’s double-decker bike. FUN!
“Climate people are often such downers. I like how the Collaborative is really focused on sparking joy!” – Mayor Tonya Graham
Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham with Executive Director Erin O’Kelley Muck and Board President Lorrie Kaplan.
Invite people to get involved!
We let people know how they can join this joyous community — people on a journey toward positive climate action!
- Sign up for our mailing list! (950+ people and growing!)
- Learn about the BIG MOVES on our website: www.ashlandclimate.org
- Home Energy – sign up for a free home energy assessment and get a going electric yard sign
- Transportation – join us on the next First Friday Bike Ride or start a Bike Bus to get your kids to school!
- Compost at home or bring your scraps to the Tuesday Growers’ Market
- Commit to climate action and let us know you’re in! Visit ashlandclimate.org/EmpowerAshland and share!
- Follow us on Instagram Facebook + LinkedIn #WeAreAshlandClimate
- Volunteer with us!
- Become a business sponsor!
- Donate to help us keep going!
Our booth in Lithia Park was a BIG hit!
The parade was followed by an afternoon of music, crafts, food trucks, and exhibitors, and our Ashland Climate volunteers were there to attract attention!
Electrify Ashland Now volunteers Candace Turtle and Ben Scott brought smiles with their new booth, “Home Energy Advice – the Expert is IN!”
Complete with a yellow piggy bank and nickels, Candace wowed passersby with her “stump the electrician” game. (No surprise, Candace was never stumped!) Multiple people signed up for free home energy assessments and our electric home yard sign program.
Meanwhile, at our Ashland Climate booth next door, Larry, Mary, Sharon, Erin, and Lorrie shared info with folks who wanted to learn more.
WHAT A DAY! Thank you to everyone who made the 4th a great success! We love you, Ashland!
#WeAreAshlandClimate
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Check out our photo galleries!
Thanks to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Kathryn Kavanaugh, riders in our group, and community members for sharing these inspiring photos!
Gallery 1: Getting ready for the parade…
Gallery 2: The 4th of July Parade
Gallery 3: Our booth in the park
Do you know someone who would enjoy being part of the Ashland Climate movement? Share this article and help us reach our goal of 100 new subscribers! Sign up today!