End of Summer Main Street Bash

08/21/2026

DAPHNE DONAHUE • CLEVELAND, OHIO

What does kindness mean to you?
“Kindness is in all the small details. It’s telling the contestant next to you that she looks great when she’s clearly nervous. It’s offering to take photos when someone is having a hard time getting the shot. It’s making sure to speak to both the husband and wife who own the car you’re taking pictures with, so no one feels invisible.” — Daphne Donahue

A longtime lover of vintage fashion with a passion for performance art, Daphne has spent more than a decade in the entertainment industry creating experiences for children’s and corporate events, while also exploring the worlds of burlesque, pin-up modeling, cosplay, sewing, and crafting. She’s even an award-winning cosplayer.

Still relatively new to the pin-up community, Daphne was drawn to the Ms. Main Street Bash Gala because she saw something beyond the average pageant—an experience built around connection, interaction, and women sharing the day together.

And if you want to know what her perfect vintage afternoon looks like? Picture a 1955 Thunderbird convertible, a silk headwrap, sunglasses, gloves, and the kind of early-’50s driving outfit that makes simply stepping out of the car an event all its own.

Get to know all of the ladies joining us in Historic Downtown Ashland for all the activities happening September 12 during the End of Summer Main Street Bash at:
https://kandiblaze.com/pin-up-gala

08/21/2026

SWEET LITTLE SUNFLOWER • VENUS, PENNSYLVANIA 🌻

What does kindness mean to you?
“Kindness is about putting others before yourself. Sometimes it requires quiet sacrifice, yet it can be as effortless as a warm smile or a simple ‘hello.’ It’s stepping up to help wherever there is a need, setting aside self-interest, and choosing to love others unconditionally.” — Sweet Little Sunflower

A United States Air Force veteran and longtime educator, Sweet Little Sunflower has spent much of her life helping others while collecting plenty of adventures of her own. She loves creating, giving forgotten things new life, vintage fashion, classic automobiles, and the timeless grace of Audrey Hepburn.

She’ll also tell you she’s an introvert, but stepping into the pin-up community has helped her discover something she didn’t expect: a sisterhood of women who remind one another to dress up, feel beautiful, try something new, and find that little bit of sparkle again.

And if you happen to have a gorgeous late-1950s Cadillac lying around, you may already have her attention. Her dream cruise would be in one of those beautiful rolling works of art—with her husband of more than 30 years beside her, because for Sweet Little Sunflower, who she’s with matters more than what they’re driving.

Welcome Sweet Little Sunflower to the 2026 Ms. Main Street Bash Vintage Pin Up Gala.

Get to know all of the ladies joining us September 12 during the End of Summer Main Street Bash at:
https://kandiblaze.com/pin-up-gala

08/18/2026

Before I begin introducing this year’s Gala ladies, I want to share the question that mattered most to me:

What does kindness mean to you?

To me, kindness is more than simply doing something nice for someone.

Kindness is seeing people.

It’s making room. Offering grace. Protecting someone’s dignity. It lives in how we speak, how we listen, what we choose not to judge, and how another person feels after spending a few moments in our presence.

And kindness costs absolutely nothing.

I’ve always believed it is one of the few things in this life that is completely free to give—and every one of us is responsible for putting the kind in humankind.

People may forget what we wore, what title we held, or exactly what we said.

But they remember being seen.
They remember being welcomed.
They remember how you made them feel about themselves.

Maybe that’s what kindness means to me most of all:

Leaving someone with a little more of themselves than they had before they met you.

By tomorrow, every woman who applied for the 2026 Ms. Main Street Bash Vintage Pin Up Gala will have received her email. Then I’ll begin introducing this year’s Gala ladies individually—with their trading cards, a little of their story, and their answer to the question I believe mattered most:

What does kindness mean to you?

Because before you see the pin-up…

I want you to meet the woman. 🖤

— Kandi Blaze

**Gala updates including 2026 contestants will now be posted on the End of Summer Main Street Bash page, along with the Kandi Blaze website, and additional social media pages.

08/15/2026

2ND ANNUAL BEARDS ON MAIN Sponsors Needed

We’ve set a realistic, reachable goal this year… but now it’s time to PUT THIS ENGINE IN FIRST GEAR!

And we need YOU!

Whether you’re sponsoring a category, entering the competition, showing up to support the cause, or simply SHARING our posts — every bit of support matters.

OFFICIAL CATEGORY SPONSORSHIPS ARE NOW OPEN!

CATEGORY SPONSORSHIP — $100

• Sponsorship payment submitted by August 29th.

Each sponsor will receive a SPECIAL GIFT as our way of saying THANK YOU!

WHAT YOUR SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES:

A) Your company/club name featured on the official 2nd Annual Beards On Main event T-shirt.

B)Priority vendor placement — third selection behind our Main Sponsor and Co-Sponsors.

C) Your company/club recognized and announced by our emcee during YOUR sponsored category.

D) Your company featured on the official Appalachian Bearded Mafia Sponsor Banner as an affiliated 2026 ABM Partner.

E) Recognition throughout our promotional material as we continue pushing and advertising BEARDS ON MAIN!

F) And this one is BIG…

UNLIMITED PROMOTIONAL POSTING PRIVILEGES
for your company and ambassadors within the Appalachian Bearded Mafia Facebook community/platform for the remainder of 2026!

We simply rely on the owners or their representatives to post their own content.

That last benefit is something we take seriously because we DON’T want this relationship to end when the trophies are handed out.

We want to build RELATIONSHIPS.

We want the companies supporting ABM to have opportunities to introduce their products, interact with our Family, build relationships and GROW RIGHT ALONGSIDE US.

We want our Family to know WHO SUPPORTS THESE EVENTS — and in return, we want our Family to have every opportunity to SUPPORT YOUR COMPANY!

Interested in a spot? Text me anytime!

Chris Hall
Founder
Appalachian Bearded Mafia

08/14/2026

Hey folks! Hope to see some of you this weekend! 🖤

I’m running around the Detroit area all weekend — Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, Ferndale and wherever else the ’72 Travelall takes us. 😂🛞

If you spot me, come say hi! Or shoot me a message. I’ve got flyers with me for the ☀️🍁 ☀️🍁 Main Street Car, Truck & Bike Show - Sponsored by Big 3 Racing 🍁 ☀️, happening September 12 as part of the End of Summer Main Street Bash in Historic Downtown Ashland, Ohio.

If you love cars, trucks, bikes, downtown events and a damn good time, come cruise into Ashland with us! 🖤

Now back to enjoying some Detroit horsepower. 😎🛞

Kandi Blaze

Hey folks! Hope to see some of you this weekend! 🖤

I’m running around the Detroit area all weekend — Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, Ferndale and wherever else the ’72 Travelall takes us. 😂🛞

If you spot me, come say hi! Or shoot me a message. I’ve got flyers with me for the ☀️🍁 ☀️🍁 Main Street Car, Truck & Bike Show - Sponsored by Big 3 Racing 🍁 ☀️, happening September 12 as part of the End of Summer Main Street Bash in Historic Downtown Ashland, Ohio.

If you love cars, trucks, bikes, downtown events and a damn good time, come cruise into Ashland with us! 🖤

Now back to enjoying some Detroit horsepower. 😎🛞

Kandi

08/05/2026

Did someone say Car Show? You bet we did!

The Main Street Car, Truck & Bike Show — Sponsored by Big 3 Racing returns to Historic Downtown Ashland on Saturday, September 12th as part of the End of Summer Main Street Bash!

Expect beautiful classics, hot rods, customs, trucks, motorcycles, special guests from the racing world, unique awards, downtown shopping, live entertainment, the Vintage Pin Up Gala, and so much more.

This isn’t just another car show…

It’s an entire downtown celebration.

🔥🛞 Registration details, event information, and everything you need to know are linked in the comments.

We’ll see you on Main Street!

- Kandi Blaze

08/02/2026

💄 Ladies! Great news! Because of the recent Meta issues (and knowing some of you had trouble reaching me), I’ve extended the application deadline for the 2026 Ms. Main Street Bash Vintage Pin Up Gala to August 7th! 🩷

To make things even easier, I’ve added all of the Gala details, The Jewel (our official Applicant Information Packet), and the application to my brand-new website!

I’ve pinned the link in the comments. I can’t wait to see who joins this year’s journey! 💋

— Kandi Blaze

07/31/2026

Kids’ Categories are always FREE!

Mom & Dad, it’s time to get those little hearts and little hands busy building those creative beards! Every beard they build is more than just fun—it’s an opportunity to plant the seed of charity, kindness, and giving back.

Let’s teach the next generation what Family Helping Family is all about. We can’t wait to see all of our future beard champions show off their amazing creations!

Bring the family, make some memories, and let those little imaginations run wild!

07/29/2026

Pin Up Gala Application Deadline is almost here for the End of Summer - Ms Main Street Bash Pin Up Gala 2026 ♥️👗

🩷 Last year, 36 incredible women applied. Only 16 were selected to become part of the 2025 Ms. Main Street Bash Vintage Pin Up Gala.
And what an unforgettable day it became.
From the laughter shared during our Pin Up Pit Stop Tour through historic downtown... to classic cars, local businesses, live entertainment, beautiful vintage fashion, community, new friendships, custom sashes, cash awards, and countless memories...
It became so much more than a pageant.
It became an experience.
This September, as part of the End of Summer Main Street Bash, downtown Ashland will once again come alive for one incredible day—and applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Ms. Main Street Bash Vintage Pin Up Gala & Pageant.
Applications must be received by Saturday, August 1 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
If you think your name belongs in this year’s lineup, simply request The Jewel—our official 2026 Applicant Information Packet and application—by emailing [email protected] with “Ms Main Street Bash” in the subject line.
Complete Gala details and the official event page will be linked in the comments.
Some of the women you’ll see in these photos aren’t just former contestants anymore—they’re now returning as VIP Ambassadors, judges, and members of the team helping welcome this year’s class.
🖤 Maybe this September... your story becomes part of ours.
— Kandi Blaze

Photo by Nick Beckner

03/20/2026

The official event page for the ☀️🍁End of Summer Main Street Bash🍁🖤 Car, Truck & Bike Show 2026 - Sponsored by Big 3 Racing is up! Click it, visit it, invite your friends. Don’t forget friends, this page here will have the official event links to all the awesome happenings during the 2nd Annual End of Summer Main Street Bash in Downtown Ashland, Ohio!
You know - the Pin Up Competition & Gala, Beards on Main Comp from the Appalachian Bearded Mafia, the Car, Truck & Bike Show, Live Entertainment, Local Eateries & more. Be sure to follow this page and click the event links for full details.

🛞 Car, Truck, & Bike Show Sponsored by Big 3 Racing 🛞
https://facebook.com/events/s/end-of-summer-main-street-bash/3328186857332297/