Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Friday, October 13, 2023
Stand Up for Veterans Fundraiser
Oct 13 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Point Lookout Vineyards
Saturday, October 14, 2023
The Blue Ridge Honor Flight: Captain Frederick M. Hall, USAF
Oct 14 all-day
WNC Agriculture Center at Gate 7

This year’s flight is dedicated to Captain Frederick M. Hall, USAF who was missing in action for over 54 years. His remains came home to Haywood County earlier this week where they were interned with full military honors. WNCSource partners with Blue Ridge Honor Flight to transport veterans, their travel companions and the public who attend the huge Welcome Home celebration at the airport on Saturday night.

Saturday, November 11, 2023
Dunkin’ Honors Military Members on Veterans Day
Nov 11 all-day
Various Dunkin' Donots

To thank those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country, Dunkin’ is offering all active and retired military a free donut* on Veterans Day.

Current and former members of the military can stop by participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide on Saturday, November 11 to pick up a free donut on us.

This small token of our appreciation is part of a larger effort to support our troops. Dunkin’ has partnered with the United States Armed Forces through the brand’s Coffee for Our Troops program since 2003. Over the last two decades, Dunkin’ has donated more than 249,000 pounds of coffee to troops deployed overseas and has sent more than 12,000 pounds of coffee to active military members each year. Additionally, Dunkin’ has 32 locations serving military bases around the world. We are proud every day to serve those who bravely serve our country.

How will you salute those who serve our country? Let us know on FacebookTwitter, Instagram and TikTok. To stay up to date on all things Dunkin’, sign up for our email news alerts at news.dunkindonuts.com/alerts.

* Limit one per guest while supplies last. No ID required. Offer available in-store only. Not available for orders placed using On-the-Go Mobile Ordering through the Dunkin’ Mobile App.

Veterans Day Celebration
Nov 11 all-day
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Antique, Classic Cars, Trucks, Jeeps, and Military Vehicles to Escort Veterans to Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Saturday November 11th Veterans Day.
If you are a Veteran, We Thank You for your Service.  In Recognition of Your Service, you are invited to allow owners of Antique, Classic Cars, Truck, Jeeps and Military Vehicles to escort you to the Veterans Day Services at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Saturday November 11th 2023.
Vehicles will assemble at the American Legion Post 77 on Washington Street at 9 AM.  A Sheriffs Department Escort will take the Veterans Caravan to the Park leaving at 9:30 AM.  Please be sure to arrive at the Legion at 9:00 AM.
11th District Congressman, Chuck Edwards will ride with the Veterans Caravan.  If you would like to speak with the Congressman before the Services begin, this is an ideal time to meet with him.
Beginning at 10:00 AM, WTZQ Radio will interview Veterans, Live on the Air until 11:00 AM.  This is an opportunity to tell your story of Your Service.
The Veterans Day Services will begin at 11:00 AM.  Following the Services, a Lunch will be provided at the Park.
From November 8th-12th, The Moving Viet Nam Memorial Veterans Wall will be on display at the Veterans Healing Farm in Horseshoe/Etowah.
The History of Veterans Day began at the 11th Hour, on the 11th Day, of the 11th Month in 1918 with the signing of the Armistice ending the War to End All Wars.  In 1938 it was declared a National Holiday.  At the end of WWII the name was changed to Veterans Day to Honor those who served in WWII.  Today we Honor All Veterans for their Service and those who currently Serve.
The Transylvania Cruisers Car Club invites all owners of Classic, Antique Cars, Trucks, Jeeps and Military Vehicles to participate in Honoring our Veterans.  For more information call Bill 828 388 0671, Bruce 828 329 44971 or e mail [email protected].
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Free Screening: Veteran’s Battlefield
Nov 16 @ 6:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Special Events to Celebrate Local Veterans and Raise Awareness of Unique Challenges

For hundreds of years, brave Americans have been answering the nation’s call. These selfless individuals put their lives on the line no matter the political landscape or conflict that arises. We owe them an unpayable debt of gratitude for their past, present, and future service to our nation.

The Buncombe County Veterans Service Office is one of the best in the state of North Carolina, with a team of dedicated Veteran Services Officers (VSO) including Sherry Manning, Clint Cook (Air Force), Ivan Sarabia (Army), and Heath Smith (Marine Corps). The office provides a wide range of assistance to veterans and their dependents, including disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, survivor benefits, and more.

Counties play an important role in connecting veterans with supportive housing, employment and education resources, and mental health services that treat trauma and prevent suicide. Buncombe County is no exception. The Buncombe County Veterans Service Office provides a wide array of assistance to veterans and their dependents. This assistance includes disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, survivor benefits, and more.

 

We are thrilled to host a free screening of the movie “Veteran’s Battlefield” at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. North Carolina is home to around 700,000 veterans – the eighth largest veteran population in the nation. And with the fourth largest active-duty military presence nationwide, it stands to reason that our state needs to pay special attention to issues impacting our service members. From starting new careers to navigating a complex process to obtain earned benefits, shifting mindsets and establishing homes, it can be just too much for a person to bear… mental and physical health suffers… unemployment and even homelessness ensue. Yet, hope and help are alive in our counties. Veterans service officers in our communities are devoted to doing what they can to make life after the military the best it can be for our veterans.

The showing is free, and no tickets are required. The snack bar will be open and all are welcome to attend.

Supportive Veterans Resources: 

If you are a veteran or know someone who is, please check into these great local resources for assistance.

Buncombe County Veterans Services
6th Floor
40 Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
(828) 250-5726

BCVS offers essential benefits assistance to Veterans and their families. Services include:

  • Health Care
  • Home Loans
  • Life Insurance
  • Education & Training
  • Vocational Rehabilitation & Training
  • Burial Benefits
  • Dependent & Survivor Benefits
  • Disability Benefits

Charles George VA Medical Center
1110 Tunnel Road in Asheville
Open 24/7 for your convenience
Main phone: 828-298-7911
Mental health care: 828-298-7911 x2519

The Charles George VA Medical Center offers comprehensive medical care to Veterans and their families, including mental health care services, urgent care visits, and clinical care scheduling. Visit their website for a comprehensive list of medical services and support services offered at the Charles George VA Medical Center.

Veterans Treatment Court
60 Court Plaza- 9th Floor
Buncombe County Courthouse
(703) 389-9918

Veterans Treatment Court is an alternative to the conventional criminal justice system in which Veterans who are struggling to acclimate back into civilian life and find themselves charged with an offense are met with the support, structure, and resources they need to settle into life after service.

 


Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Learn Libby with the Experts
Jan 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
online w/ Pack Memorial Library

Join a one-hour Getting Started with Libby ONLINE webinar, and learn Libby with the Experts!

From downloading the app & signing in, to searching & borrowing titles, placing holds, adjusting reading settings, and more, our Libby experts are here to get you started. The session will close with a mini-quiz and live Q&A.

Want to learn Libby, but can’t attend one of our monthly sessions live? Sessions will be recorded and emailed to everyone registered 24 hours after the webinar. Please register to receive the recording.

To register go to this link:
overdrive.zoom.us…

If you don’t have the Libby app downloaded on your device already, you can download the Libby app on most iOS and Android devices. Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search for Libby. Your result should be Libby, by OverDrive, and the app is FREE! You can also use Libby in your web browser by going to libbyapp.com. Webinar is set in Eastern Time. If you would like to show the time in your zone, click on “Time shows in Eastern Time (US and Canada)” and choose your time zone.

AVL Tech Connect
Jan 10 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
The Track at Asheville

Join the growing tech scene in Asheville and connect with fellow developers and designers in town. Each event will include a presentation (or two) and the opportunity to discuss technical, design, and product challenges with our talented community of creators and engineers.

Interested in presenting? Apply here: https://forms.gle/bJyj9AK9ruJpXzYX6

AVL Tech Connect starts at 5:30 with 30 minutes of socializing and presentations start at 6:00.

Event series supported by: AVL Digital Nomads, Venture Asheville, and the NC Biotech Center

Hosted at The Track at Asheville, there will be an opportunity to experience the thrill of SIM racing toward the end of the event.
Sign up and help us spread the word!

Thursday, January 11, 2024
Code with Asheville Monthly Meeting
Jan 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
online

Are you curious or even passionate about using advocacy, technology and sensible design to create more equitable social and civic structures in Western North Carolina?
Whether you call yourself an organizer, a technologist, a designer, planner, concerned resident, all of the above or something else entirely, we want to be in relationship and build community together with you.
Check out a list of our current projects: https://github.com/CodeForAsheville/projects
What to expect:
Since project work takes place asynchronously—individually and in smaller squads—the goals of our monthly gatherings are to:

  • build relationships and learn about each other’s skills, interests and goals,
  • learn what we are doing across the organization (project updates),
  • provide opportunities to get involved with and/or initiate projects, and
  • shape where we are going as an organization, co-creating the culture and course of our work together.

In this meeting, we will:

  • gather virtually using Zoom for group video chat,
  • do brief introductions, with a prompt,
  • share updates about the projects that we’re working on, highlighting deliverables for the next month and areas where additional resources would be useful, and
  • discuss proposals and new opportunities to engage with local government and community organizations.

It isn’t all glamorous, but the stakes are low for showing up and we’d be delighted to join together with you in this work.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
PC Snacks at the Public Library
Mar 13 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Leicester Library
Sign Up

Join us for three “small bite” classes to learn basic computer skills to navigate today’s online world.

March 13: In this first class, participants will get familiar with the desktop, taskbar, start menu, and file explorer.
March 20: Internet browsers: safety and security, searching and reading websites, and bookmarks.
March 27: An overview of email: inbox and other folders, unsubscribing, and safety

Participants will be registered for all three classes. Class size is limited, so please make sure you can attend all three before claiming a spot. Laptops will be provided for the class!

Email [email protected] with any questions.

Thursday, March 14, 2024
Military Appreciation Night: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
Mar 14 @ 7:00 pm
PNC Arena

Join the Hurricanes as we honor servicemen and women from all branches of the military and thank them for their service and commitment to our country. Presented by Navy Federal Credit Union.

Join the Hurricanes as we honor servicemen and women from all branches of the military and thank them for their service and commitment to our country. Presented by Navy Federal Credit Union.

Thursday, March 28, 2024
Brothers + Sisters Like These: Stories of Healing
Mar 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Presented by North Carolina Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation, Inc. Hear veterans’ stories of healing. Free.
No registration is required.

Saturday, March 30, 2024
Spring Town Square
Mar 30 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
One World West

Come eat, drink, and be merry at Beacon’s Spring Town Square event, where we will connect across Asheville’s many communities. Join us Saturday, March 30th from 12 to 3 pm at One World West in West Asheville. This is an opportunity for locals to learn and share about what’s happening in their communities. Attendees will have an opportunity to make announcements, requests, and offers during our Community Forum portion of the evening.

Donations are requested but not required. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Saturday, April 13, 2024
Maker Faire Asheville
Apr 13 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
AB Tech/Mission Health Conference Center

Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists toscientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects.

We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth – a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Glimpse the future and get inspired!

Sunday, April 21, 2024
Tail Chaser 250
Apr 21 all-day
Deerwoode Reserve

Get revved up for best weekend of the year! Join us for the Tail Chaser 250, where you will experience an epic “ride at your own pace” dual sport adventure ride on the best scenic paved, gravel, and back roads in the Southeast. This in-person event is an absolute must for anyone who loves being on the motorcycle, hanging out with good people, and enjoying the beauty of the open road.

We’ll be returning to Deerwoode Reserve, situated along the French Broad River, just outside Brevard, NC, where we’ll gather for meals together in their new event pavilion, enjoy the property’s beauty, and stay both Friday and Saturday nights. We’ll be able to spread out in wide open fields for camping and cabins available for rent, and enjoy the view beyond.

Join Eurosport Asheville and the entire adventure motorcycle community to help raise essential funds for Muddy Sneakers and the Veterans Healing Farm. It’s an honor to donate 100% of the proceeds of Tail Chaser 250 to these organizations doing important work in our communities. We really appreciate your support!

So mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready to immerse yourself in a weekend of adventure and being a part of the motorcycle community. The Tail Chaser 250 is waiting for you – suit up and prepare for the best weekend of the year!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Tech Time at the Library
May 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Tech Time is a drop-in program where you can receive one-on-one help from library staff. To the best of our ability, we will help you solve a tech related problem or accomplish a specific task. We can work together on the library’s computers or your device. Anyone is welcome to stop by, we will help

Learn Libby with the Experts
May 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Join a one-hour Getting Started with Libby ONLINE webinar and learn Libby with the Experts!

From downloading the app & signing in, to searching & borrowing titles, placing holds, adjusting reading settings, and more, our Libby experts are here to get you started. The session will close with a mini-quiz and live Q&A.

Want to learn Libby, but can’t attend one of our monthly sessions live? Sessions will be recorded and emailed to everyone registered 24 hours after the webinar. Please register to receive the recording.

To register go to this link:
overdrive.zoom.us…

If you don’t have the Libby app downloaded on your device already, you can download the Libby app on most iOS and Android devices. Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search for Libby. Your result should be Libby, by OverDrive, and the app is FREE! You can also use Libby in your web browser by going to libbyapp.com. Webinar is set in Eastern Time. If you would like to show the time in your zone, click on “Time shows in Eastern Time (US and Canada)” and choose your time zone.

Saturday, May 25, 2024
3RD ANNUAL VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR
May 25 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Veterans Healing Farm
Our 3rd Annual Veterans Resource Fair open to the public. Come out to the farm have a great time, eat some good food, listen to some amazing music, and meet these wonderful organizations that give back to the veterans community! AARP Appalachian Dog Training, LLC Aura Home Brothers and Sisters Like These CenterWell Home Health Congressman Chuck Edwards Council on Aging Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 14 Eagle Rock Camp Equinox Ranch Healing The Hole Collective Heart of Horse Sense Lighthouse Collective Foundation Man With A Horse Project Military Working Dog Heritage Museum Mission 22 MOAA of Westeren North Carolina Mothers of Veteran Suicide Mountain Vista Recovery Patient Advocacy Charles George VA PGA Hope Pisgah Legal Post-9/11 Military 2 Charles George VA Project Healing Waters Soldiers Angels Sugar Bear Foundation The Self-Regulation Station Therapeutic Cuddling : HoldmeAVL Unbroken Spirit VA Innovation Program Charles George VA Veterans Healing Farm Veterans Services of the Carolinas VFW Hendersonville WADO Studios Warrior Canine Connection Warriors at Ease Whole Health Charles George VA FOOD TRUCKS (suggest not eating at least 2 days before so you can gorge yourself from these delicious mobile chefs) North Meets South Dreadlife Kitchen Allie’s Sweet Treats BANDS (amazing, super talented artists) Rooster Hope Griffin

 

Monday, May 27, 2024
Memorial Day Services Caravan
May 27 @ 9:00 am
Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Presser Memorial Day Services Hendersonville

for more info.

 2024 Memorial Day

Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jun 11 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jun 18 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jun 25 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Friday, June 28, 2024
RANGER
Jun 28 @ 7:00 pm
Gunter Theatre

RANGER is a true tale of war seen through the lens of a Special Operations soldier, Sgt. David Waterhouse, in Iraq and Afghanistan. This first-hand account documents the brutality of combat and the raw nature of killing and death. It’s a journey of innocence lost, and the scars of war etched into the minds of service members. An untold account everyone should hear.

The Ranger Creed states that, “I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than other soldier.”

After the release of RANGER, Further Faster Harder Foundation was created to give veterans a platform to tell their stories and find their purpose and voice again through documentaries, books, art, podcasts, and many other avenues.

Friday, June 28th marks the 19-year anniversary of the largest loss of Special Operations life since the Vietnam War. This event honors the memories of the 19 men who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

We want to welcome everyone to join us in our First Charity Screening and Silent Auction to help give Voices to Vets.

Saturday, June 29, 2024
Music Night at the Farm – The Infringements
Jun 29 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Veterans Healing Farm
Come out to the Veterans Healing Farm and listen to music by The Infringements!
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 2 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 9 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 16 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Friday, July 19, 2024
AI In Production Conference
Jul 19 all-day
The Collider

AI in Production is a two-day, single-track conference designed for product teams and software developers tasked with building AI products, offering guidance on best practices and starting points.

This community event brings together professionals to exchange ideas, learn about the latest AI practices and tools, and discuss their applications and limitations with industry leaders and peers in AI and software development.

Join us to learn, network, gain inspiration, and shape the future of AI in business and applications.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 23 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 30 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Thursday, August 1, 2024
PARI Summer STEM and Space Exploration Camps
Aug 1 all-day
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

Unleash your curiosity of the unknown when you retreat to a dark sky oasis where the stars are innumerable
and beckon overhead. Let the magnificence of space overwhelm you as you discover the mysteries that still
confound scientists, it just might drive you to become tomorrow’s astronauts, physicists, and engineers.
Come learn how different telescopes work and use them and real data to explore space just like professional
scientists do. PARI is a unique site, rich in space science history, and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains
of North Carolina, where an abundance of adventures awaits. From Space and Science to tubing, waterfall
swimming and roller skating, there are fun, refreshing activities for everyone.
Your Next Adventure Awaits!
When you look up at night and see a field of twinkling lights or the bright crescent of the Moon, what is it
you think of? Maybe you wonder what makes the stars burn and how they came to be, or what planets might
orbit them and the worlds they hold. Perhaps you see patterns that tell a story or point the way to a place
beyond the horizon. Or, do they instill in you a sense of adventure and desire to explore?
Space is a frontier that sparks imagination and curiosity to discover and understand. It invokes the same
spirit that drove ancient peoples to sail into the unknown and pioneers to set out across continents. To reach
into space requires tenacity and grit, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who’ve studied,
experimented, and pushed humanity’s abilities forward again and again.
The summer of 2024 will begin PARI’s twenty- third summer camp season. It brings camp programs where
campers explore the ways that researchers delve the depths of our universe to make new discoveries, and the
challenges that humans face when leaving the Earth to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
It is also the third summer of our new partnership with Clemson University. This collaboration expands our
ability to inspire with new topics and resources and will reach even more campers who will become the next
generation of scientists and explorers.
Have you got what it takes to conquer STEM and Space?
PARI Summer Camps
Mission Control: Martian Frontier
-Do you have what it takes to plan a mission to another planet?
Gain confidence, learn space science, and strive to make it to a new world in this combination role-play—academic
camp. The wide variety of topics makes this camp a good fit for a range of interests. You’ll tackle challenges in
space craft and habitat design, astronaut health and well-being, and capturing public interest while swaying others
to support your plan.
This camp is designed for middle and high school aged campers.
Above & Beyond
-Models the research process followed by professionals in space science!
Our signature and most academically intensive camp explores the universe through astronomy, physics, and
astrobiology. Use real research-grade instruments and data to investigate objects like super-nova remnants and
distant star clusters, or map the Milky Way. One small step as a space explorer, one giant step in launching your
career in space.
This camp is designed for high school aged campers.
3D Planets – PARI Edition
Lunar and Martian Geography, 3D Modeling & Printing
What is the surface of other planets like? How do we find out and turn that information into a three dimensional
model? Can we accurately recreate other places in the solar system with a 3D printer in a way that anyone can
see and touch and gain an understanding of places beyond Earth? Campers will investigate these questions and
delve into the processes of making science accessible to all. The PARI edition will feature a field trip to a unique
mountain location to experience the beauty of the Land of Waterfalls.
This camp is available in versions for either middle school or high school aged campers.
Clemson & PARI Summer Camps
3D Planets – Clemson Edition
Lunar and Martian Geography, 3D Modeling & Printing
What is the surface of other planets like? How do we find out and turn that information into a three dimensional
model? Can we accurately recreate other places in the solar system with a 3D printer in a way that anyone can
see and touch and gain an understanding of places beyond Earth? Campers will investigate these questions and
delve into the processes of making science accessible to all.
The Clemson Edition of this camp will feature a guest speaker from Clemson University who will engage campers
with the science and research going on there. Campers will also hike to a unique mountain location in the Land of
Waterfalls.
This camp is designed for middle school aged campers.
Advanced 3D Planets – Clemson Edition
Lunar and Martian Geography, 3D Modeling & Printing
What is the surface of other planets like? How do we find out and turn that information into a three dimensional
model? Can we accurately recreate other places in the solar system with a 3D printer in a way that anyone can
see and touch and gain an understanding of places beyond Earth? Campers will investigate these questions and
delve into the processes of making science accessible to all.
The advanced version of this camp is designed for high school aged campers and will go deeper into the math
behind how the data is modeled in the computer. We will also learn to represent 3D models with code.
The Clemson Edition of this camp will feature a field trip to Clemson University where students experience the
science and research going on there.
This camp is designed for high school aged campers.
3D Planets – Clemson Edition
6/16/2024 3 PM – 6/21/2024 10 AM
Ages 11 – 15
Advanced 3D Planets – Clemson Edition
6/23/2024 3 PM – 6/28/2024 10 AM
Ages 14 – 17 years
3D Planets – PARI Edition
6/30/2024 3 PM – 7/5/2024 10 AM
Ages 11 – 15
Above & Beyond
7/7/2024 3 PM – 7/18/2024 10 AM
Grades 9th – 12th
Martian Frontier
7/21/2024 3 PM – 8/1/2024 10 AM
Grades 7th – 12th
Empowering today’s campers to become tomorrow’s leaders in space and science discovery