Downtown Ashland Association bringing sweet chocolate surprise this New Year’s Eve

ASHLAND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Downtown Ashland Association is bringing a sweet surprise to Hanover County, with a sweet chocolate surprise this New Year's Eve.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, the association announced the launch of the limited-edition "Gonna Be Golden" milk-chocolate bars. The name is inspired by "KPop Demon Hunter" and will be available starting on New Year's Eve -- Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

“The same way Huntress spreads joy through song, we hope to spread sweetness through Ashland,” said Louise Keeton, Director of Operations for Downtown Ashland Association. “It’s a joyful way to close out the year while giving our community a chance to enter 2026 winners.”

According to a release from the Downtown Ashland Association, 200 Gonna Be Golden creamy milk-chocolate bars have been created, all reportedly containing golden tickets.

Each golden ticket includes downtown prizes, including a $40 gift basket from Take Away, a Homemades by Suzanne Snack Pack. The pack features a pint of chicken salad, rolls, a chocolate chess pie and a mystery prize from Refunkit.

The "Gonna Be Golden" chocolate bars will be available at select downtown retailers, such as Chirp, Take Away, Homemades by Suzanne, Refunkit and Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys.

Ashland Dance Academy will also form its own "Huntress Group," preparing a "KPop Demon Hunter" show around participating retailers to celebrate the holiday season.

“Downtown Ashland has a way of turning every season into a reason to celebrate,” said Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “The Gonna Be Golden bars are a shining symbol of the joy, creativity, and connection that make our downtown truly golden year-round.”

Visitors are invited to hop aboard Amtrak Virginia and explore "Ashland’s winter wonderland of historic charm, curated shopping, and farm-to-fork dining," per a release.

For the "Gonna Be Golden" bar location map, list of prizes and further details, visit the Downtown Ashland Association's website.