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Join in for the annual FREE end-of-summer celebration of Asheville's artistic and musical communities. LAAFF is entering its 9th year of filling three blocks of N. Lexington Ave in downtown with all local art, food, beer, music, street performers, and random acts of creativity.LAAFF has become the showcase event for all types of talent on multiple stages and performance areas including rock and roll, indie pop, funk, folk, ragtime, reggae, world beats, singer-songwriters, bluegrass, old time, African drummers, clowns, magicians, contortionists, belly dancers, modern dancers, vaudeville actors, hula hoopers, and more. LAAFF has grown over the years to become known as Asheville's largest independent street festival with upwards of 15,000 in attendance. LAAFF is an experience the whole family can get into. Kids will love making art, dancing, getting their faces painted and having fun all day long. Kids are also in on the act parading, making music, and hanging out in the Earthfare Kids Universe. The big "kids" will enjoy the ever popular bicycle jousting and Big Wheels for Big Kids in the 98.1 the River Action Area, local brews provided by tvarious craft breeries from the area, an eclectic culinary and artistic experience. There will be lots of fun new vendors as well as old favorites with a ton of variety. Created specifically for LAAFF by Co-Founder Michael Mooney, LAAFF's ever popular Bicycle Jousting is always a mainstay attraction! This is a fun and safe bike joust where contestants are armored up with foam and helmets. The sit upon bike with banana seats and wheel with elliptical hubs which make the bike bounce up and down like riding on a horse. Each contestant holds a long pole with a boxing glove on the end..If they can reach each other they try and joust the other off the bike. It is extremely fun to watch and a great activity that Michael created as an event at LAAFF. To see the gear in advance go to Pack Place's Front Gallery... will you dare to ride? LaZoom Tour Bus has also been getting involved as a performance area! If you just want to enjoy an easier going ride... LaZoom has traveling sideshows with a variety of acts throughout the day in 35 minute loops around Asheville. This is set up as an affordable way to fundraise at LAAFF with extra entertainment to the festival. As part of an ongoing commitment to improve and expand the role of the Lexington Avenue Arts Festival in the community, greening efforts and more emphasis on environmental issues will continue to increase. The core principle of being an all local event has been a foundation of the festival's efforts to support local artists, musicians, restaurants, and non-profits. For instance, using water sales as a way for local non-profits to raise funds and involving the Asheville On Bikes organization to host a bike corral, encouraging participants in the festival to ride bikes, use public transportation, and carpool to limit their impact. Reducing waste has always been an important goal, and last year composting was added to the recycling and reuse efforts. Many of the food and beverage vendors are now using compostable cups and utensils. The festival will continue to include local non-profits, especially environmental and arts organizations and hopefully will showcase renewable energy in LAAFF's to come. Danny's Dumpsters will be helping out in the effort this year! LAAFF also has a great merchandise area with LAAFF T-shirts, water bottles, and performer merchandise. 100% of performer merch proceeds goes back to the bands themselves. There is also a raffle to raise funds for Arts 2 People of which some donated items are avaible to see on our "silent auction" page of this website. We accepting items up through the morning of the festival each year. Arts 2 People is devoted to promoting the role of the arts as an integral part of our culture by serving the entire community through arts outreach, bringing the arts to those in need of the healing power of art, supporting the careers of artists, and through community cultural development. Arts 2 People is the umbrella organization for:
The Lexington Ave Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF) They also hosts numerous events and workshops and events throughout the year. To find out more, visit www.arts2people.org. Come prepared for many LAAFFs on this amazing day and to truly experience the original local flavor of Asheville. For more information, please visit lexfestasheville.com. (Image provided by LAAFF.)
Looking for more happenings in the area? Check out Asheville.com's comprehensive visitor center.
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