The 16th annual Monster Dash Run for Education will bring out costumed runners of all ages for a little Halloween fun at Ashland’s Lithia Park.

The event includes a wide range of activities from the 1-mile, 5K and 10K running events to hands-on crafts, live music and multiple costume contests for locals to strut their stuff and showcase their creativity and handiwork.

The Monster Dash, organized by the Ashland Schools Foundation and presented by Lithia 4 Kids and the Kiwanis Club of Ashland, raises funds to support Ashland’s schools.

“It’s meant to be an unserious, festive, end-of-October gathering at Lithia Park,” said Erica Thompson, executive director of the Ashland Schools Foundation. “We really keep it fun — it’s a run, but all are encouraged to wear costumes.”

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. A virtual race option is also available for those unable to attend the Oct. 26 event. Virtual races must be completed by Thursday, Oct. 31.

Those interested in participating in the races can register at runsignup.com/Race/OR/Ashland/AshlandMonsterDashRunforEducation.

Registration fees for the 1-mile race is $18; $30 for the 5K and 10K races. It costs $10 for youth for all events. Race packets can be picked up from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the Ashland Middle School Commons or before the race from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the park.

Costume contests will be going on throughout the day in a range of categories: kids 6 to 8 years old, 9 to 11 years old, 12 to 14 years old, 15 to 18 years old, adults aged 19 or older, best group and best couple.

“It’s really exciting. We do it pageant style and kids come up and parade their outfits for a large audience, and there are prizes for categories and a panel of judges,” Thompson said. “I’m always so impressed by how creative and talented the kids are.”

Local band The Danielle Kelly Soul Project will perform live, and band frontwoman Kelly will emcee the costume contests.

According to Thompson, many of the costume contest participants go all out with original and interesting outfits.

“I think one of the most creative ones I’ve seen was one kid dressed as a vending machine that was full-sized with snacks in it; very creative,” she said.

“We had about 1,500 people there last year,” she added.

Apart from participating in the races or costume contests, the Monster Dash also offers myriad activities for all ages.

“We’ve been adding, for example, an obstacle course that’s being put on by the Ashland (High School) Grizzlies,” Thompson said, adding that the Ashland Food Co-op will be hosting a trail mix station as well.

This year’s event will also include an online silent auction.

“We do have a full display of all the items at the auction on site the day of event; it’s a nice, big booth set-up for folks to come and scope out the items,” Thompson said.

The auction will feature a variety of goods and services including a custom watercolor pet portrait, a guitar signed by Michael Franti, bicycles, gift baskets, staycation packages and more.

Following the Monster Dash, ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum, located at 1500 E. Main St., in Ashland, will host the annual family-friendly Monster Ball, held in honor of the late Sarah Wood, from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. 

Dance to the terrorizing tunes spun by DJ Alan Parowski in the “Ghoulish Graveyard,” try fiendish hands-on experiments with ScienceWorks “Mad Scientist” staff, enter a costume contest and raffles to win “spooktacular” prizes and more.

Tickets to the Monster Ball are $25, $12 for ages 2 to 17. For tickets and more information see scienceworksmuseum.org/family-party or call 541-482-6767.

The Monster Dash is the Ashland Schools Foundation’s only major fundraiser of the year and is vital to providing grant funding and additional supports to Ashland’s public schools.

“The Ashland Schools Foundation started around 1989 and has been raising funds for classrooms in Ashland ever since then,” Thompson said. “Our primary source of revenue for this event comes from our sponsorships and we could not do it without their support.”

Volunteers are always needed for the Monster Dash to help out with the costume contest, race support and more. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit ashlandmonsterdash.com/volunteer.

To learn more about the Ashland Schools Foundation, visit ashlandschoolsfoundation.org.