While this parade has changed over the years, Ashland borough residents have refused to let it die and are beginning to bring it back to life.
One of the center pieces of the parade is Ashland's Mother's Memorial.
The memorial was erected in 1938 and the ABA raised the funds for the fabrication and erection of this monument.
The monument construction was first proposed at the 1933 ABA reunion. Members felt that such a memorial would represent the very foundation of the organization, because their motto "Come on home" and home evoked thoughts of one's mother.
Some ABA members, and borough residents, advocated the building of library instead, but the memorial was decided upon and gained the town's full support.
The statue itself is based off of the painting "Whistler's Mother".
The statue was designed by Emil Siebern and sculpted by Julius Loester. Both were from New York.
The Historic ABA Parade will begin at 6 PM on Saturday, August 30th. The parade will be the same format as 2011 and 2012 parades. The parade will be small and not the same as last year’s historical marker celebration parade. Parked cars will not be removed and the town will not be closed. Fire Police will be at the main areas to temporary close traffic for the parade. The parade entry line up will be 5:30 PM first come first served on Oakland Ave. The parade will be the traditional parade route on Front Street, up Walnut Street, onto 21st Street, down Centre Street, and ending at Boyer’s Supermarket.
