Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine’s Day this year, and the double holiday meant things were busy for some residents of the Capital City. So, for the fourth or fifth year, clerics offered an opportunity to mark the occasion with Ashes to Go, a quick way of letting passers-by in downtown Concord observe the first day of Lent in many Christian denominations.
For 90 minutes or so around lunch, ashes were offered to those who may not have the ability to attend a church service during the workday.
“I think it’s a great concept,” said Robert Arata, who took advantage of the practice this year and noted that he’s done so in years past.