Fueling the Rhythm: Ashley for the Arts Community Cares Grant Equips Local Musicians with Performance Gear 

ARCADIA, Wis. – Ashley for the Arts is excited to announce the Onalaska Show Band as the 2025 recipient of its annual Community Cares Grant. Over the weekend, the non-profit presented the grant at the Onalaska High School Show Choir Classic event. The Show Band is an integral part of the Onalaska High School Show Choir program. The funds from the grant will equip the musicians with equipment of their own, helping them to provide live, high-energy music in the local community and deliver a memorable audience experience.  

Until now, the Show Band has relied on borrowing instruments and performance gear from the school’s curricular band department. With support from the grant, the Onalaska Show Band will be able to purchase its own instruments, cases, related accessories and more. The equipment will be used throughout the school year for rehearsals, school concerts and will travel with the group to competitions, where the band will perform before audiences of hundreds of students, families and community members. The grant will help sustain a high-quality music experience for students and audiences while supporting the long-term growth of performing arts in the local community.  

“We are incredibly grateful and humbled to receive the Community Cares Grant,” stated, Carrie Thompson, Onalaska Show Band Director. “For our students to have the opportunity to get equipment of their very own, it makes a world of difference. This allows them to have much needed gear, helping to enhance practice, performance and the overall experience for these students. We are excited about using this equipment for years to come!”  

The Ashley for the Arts Community Cares Grant was created to provide financial support to organizations for special community-focused projects in arts, music and culture.  

“We are thrilled to support the Onalaska Show Band with instruments and gear of their very own,” stated Cole Bawek, Event Director for Ashley for the Arts. “This isn’t just funding a program—it’s an investment in the future of performance art in our region. Each year, we look forward to having our area school bands and choirs perform at our event to showcase the incredible talent in our community to a large audience.” 

The non-profit’s highly anticipated annual three-day music and arts festival makes its return to Arcadia, Wisconsin, from August 6-8, 2026. Be the first to know about upcoming headline entertainment announcements and get the latest news by following Ashley for the Arts on Facebook and Instagram. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ashleyforthearts.com. 

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Ashley for the Arts is a nonprofit initiative that provides the entire family with world class entertainment, art, exercise and family fun for a remarkably low cost. The organization is one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, donating over $5 Million since its inception to more than 70 non-profit organizations, including participating schools, children’s charities, and medical research. This music and arts festival was conceptualized and established by Ashley Furniture Industries in 2009 and takes place in Arcadia, Wisconsin’s Memorial Park.  

For more information on Ashley for the Arts, visit www.AshleyfortheArts.com. “Like” Ashley for the Arts on Facebook and follow us Instagram @AshleyfortheArts. 

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