Calendar of Events

The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation, Inc. is excited to host its Spring Plant Sale & Marketplace on May 3, 2025 from 9AM – 3PM. Join us for an amazing day featuring locally grown trees, flowers, shrubs, herbs and veggies, as well as hand-crafted works of art. Throughout the day we will feature a variety of educational talks along with live music, a food truck, and of course all LOCAL vendors!
This event helps to support the WNC community by supporting its small business owners. Our vendors are thoroughly vetted in sustainable growing practices. Join us for a day of fun, education, and entertainment. Vendors will offer a huge variety of plants and artwork including:
– Rare specialty plants, boxwoods, and unusual perennials;
– Stately conifers, dwarf conifers, and trees;
– Premium fruit trees and flowering shrubs;
– Japanese Maples and other fine ornamental trees;
– Edibles, grasses & groundcovers;
– Early spring herbs & vegetable starts;
– Fresh-cut, locally-grown flowers;
– WNC natives & landscaping plants;
– Wildcrafted, certified organic skincare options;
– Planted containers, unique floral designs and plant materials;
– Honeys and vinegars;
– Hand-crafted wrought iron and functional garden art;
– Knife and tool sharpening.
This one of a kind event is not to be missed! Rain or shine so please dress accordingly.  Supporting local scholarships and community grants focusing on horticulture, conservation, and the environment.

Explore 22 beautiful greenhouses filled with mixed patio planters, hanging baskets, perennials, houseplants, shrubs, and plant starters. Enjoy live music, food from Smashville Food Truck and Mountain Man BBQ, a craft fair featuring jewelry and home goods, kids’ activities including a scavenger hunt and potting station, plus a mechanical bull! Appalachian Standard CBD products also available. With 600-900 attendees expected, carpooling is recommended. Free admission.

Don your best Derby attire and help us reach the finish line as we raise funds for our school’s Hurricane Helene recovery costs. Join us for a festive evening at our North Campus on the banks of the French Broad River. Dinner provided by Los Gauchos Heroes with libations from Riverside Rhapsody Brewing and Troy and Sons Distillery. We’ll have some Derby themed fun, live music, a silent and live auction, and a raffle for a trip for 2 to Costa Rica.

Join us for a powerful evening with Massey Campos, a nationally recognized speaker, preacher, and constitutional advocate. In this timely and engaging presentation, Massey will unpack the moral and biblical foundations of our nation, exploring how faith, liberty, and personal responsibility intersect with the U.S. Constitution.

With humor, passion, and deep conviction, Massey challenges audiences to think critically about our role as citizens and the values that make America exceptional. Whether you’re a seasoned patriot or just beginning to explore your civic responsibility, this event will inspire and equip you to stand for truth in today’s cultural climate.

Insect Pollinators of the Blue Ridge

with Shane Myers

Friday, May 9  |  1 – 3 pm

BRN – Elective |  BREG – Core

Our plants in the Blue Ridge are pollinated by more insects than just Honey Bees. In this course, we will look at common and some less obvious pollinators of the region and discuss their life cycles, the benefits they provide the world, and how to attract them. We will also go outside to look for pollinators doing their work around the Arboretum grounds.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Historic Johnson Farm will host the fifth annual Mother’s Day Market on Saturday, May 10th from 10 AM-4 PM, rain or shine. This outdoor craft fair will showcase over 25 local vendors. A diverse array of crafts will be available, including jewelry, ceramics, leather items, wooden décor, baked goods and more.

The event will take place outdoors at the farm. Hot dogs (donated by Hot Dog World), chips, and drinks will be available for purchase to support the farm’s operating fund. Stop by the farm table to purchase a plant from the Johnson Farm gardeners or a farm logo item like a mug or magnet. The Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists will have their gift shop open with plenty of fiber gifts for purchase. From 12-3 PM, Doug and Lisa, an acoustic vocal duo, will be singing and playing music on the back porch of the farm house. In addition to the numerous crafters, the historic farmhouse will be open for self-guided tours, and people can visit the farm’s donkeys and goats.
Parking will be available across the street at Rugby Middle School, and volunteers from the Sheriff’s Office will help visitors cross the street. Handicapped parking is available at the farm.

We are currently full for crafters. Please email [email protected] to be added to the waiting list. IMPORTANT NOTE: Every year, scammers try to recruit crafters. All communication will come from [email protected], and credit card invoices will come through Square. Anything else is a scam!

Kids, join us for an educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn all about the many different Herptiles that call Western North Carolina their home! What’s a Herptile you ask? Herptiles are reptiles and amphibians! We’ll answer all of our biggest questions about Herptiles, like “Why are some amphibians slimy?” and “Where do Herptiles go in the winter?” Come ready to hear about the ecoEXPLORE program, find out what distinguishes Herptiles from other animals, where they live, what they eat, how they breathe, plus much more! Located at the Black Mountain Library.

Public libraries are such a staple of American communities, but how did this system come to be? Celebrate (and investigate) the history of our public libraries! Join us for a screening + community-driven conversation of @IndependentLens’ Free for All: The Public Library at the Black Mountain Public Library. This one-hour documentary explores the transformative power of public libraries in America—from their pioneering origins to their enduring role as sanctuaries in the face of modern challenges like closures and book bans.

A Q&A session follows with Buncombe County Public Library Director Jason Hyatt and members of the Trust Fund for Buncombe County Public Libraries. Together, they’ll explore the issues raised in the film and discuss their relevance to libraries in our local community.

Join us for Age Well Buncombe and learn how to “age in place” with resources provided by area organizations and a panel discussion. PLUS – FREE Refreshments, FREE Blood Pressure Readings and GIVEAWAYS. The panel features area aging experts and is moderated by Ashley Steward, RN from MAHEC. Panelists include:
-Ann Marr with AdventHealth who will discuss Home Safety Tips
-Maureen Williams with Four Seasons, The Care You Trust who will discuss Advance Care Planning
-Edward Jones with Area Agency on Aging at Land of Sky Regional Council who will discuss Caregiver Support
-Molly Behan, with Four Seasons, The Care You Trust who will discuss the Quality of Life Care

Bring your friends and family and come learn more about ways to make the aging journey a bit easier.

Everyone is welcome to share a few poems (3-5 min. each), or just sit back and have a drink for a good cause.

$1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to the Friends of the Black Mountain Library!

Join us at the Black Mountain Library where local air quality staff will provide updates on post-Helene conditions, tips for protecting against pollution and wildfire smoke, and information on finding reliable air quality information.

Learn how to make altered books and make a page for one of the volumes of Turning the Page on Helene. All supplies are provided free of charge. No previous art experience is necessary.

Turning the Page on Helene is a community-based art project that is using the transformative power of altered books to tell our communities’ stories of Hurricane Helene through the visual arts. The goal is to create a safe space for community members to share experiences of the hurricane as well as their hopes for rebuilding a better and brighter future.

AdventHealth, in collaboration with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC), is hosting
an event to support the local veteran community at Asheville-Buncombe Community
Christian Ministry (ABCCM). LEGACY MC Co-Owner Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Cup
Series driver Erik Jones, and the LEGACY MC pit crew will visit ABCCM in Asheville to
pack backpacks and lunches for Veterans of the Armed Forces who are still being
impacted by Hurricane Helene. AdventHealth is proud to be the host of this effort,
demonstrating its commitment to the well-being of veterans and the local community.
LEGACY MC will also have the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE show car at
the appearance.

 Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY MC Co-Owner & Driver of the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry
XSE
 Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MC

If you are interested in attending and/or participating, contact AdventHealth NC
Communications Director, Victoria Dunkle at [email protected] or 828-209-
8570.

Catch an afternoon FULL of high-level ROLLER DERBY!

This family-friendly derby-filled afternoon will include TWO Travel Season bouts. First, the Y’All Stars will face River City Riot from Richmond, Virginia in an A-level sanctioned game. Then, the Retrogrades will take on the River City River Rats in a B-level sanctioned game. Both games’ final scores will impact BRRD and River City’s INTERNATIONAL WFTDA rankings.
Tickets available online or at the door.

2:00 Doors Open
3:00 BRRD Y’AllStars vs. River City Riot
5:00 BRRD Retrogrades vs. River City River Rats

Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and up. Kids 11 and under are FREE. All ages are welcome.

Delish Food Truck and Budgies Bake Shop will provide a great menu of refreshments and snacks, including plant-based options.

BRRD is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of our community to provide action-packed, family-friendly fun on four wheels.

Known for its unified support of visual arts, Asheville is once again welcoming back the Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts this Memorial Day Weekend. Residents and visitors will see some of the finest locally made art alongside national artists’ works during this free, outdoor event. A scenic stroll amongst sparkling jewels, one of a kind paintings, exquisitely crafted glasswork, stunning sculpture and every medium of hand-made art, all in the artist’s mecca that is downtown Asheville, rounds out the perfect Memorial Day Weekend for art appreciators around the county. The show is set up on the streets of North Pack Square and South Pack Square around the Vance Memorial as well as Reuter Terrace.

AN AFTERNOON OF STORYTELLING WITH DONALD DAVIS Sunday, May 25, 2025 | 4:00-6:00 PM

Join us On Sunday, May 25, as we welcome Donald Davis to Wells Events Center for an afternoon of storytelling. Donald Davis grew up in Waynesville and will bring much joy and laughter to your heart as you hear him tell of happenings back-in-the-day. You will recognize familiar family names and area locations as he brings his stories to life and adds warm-hearted feelings of days-gone-by in this small mountain town.

Doors open at 4:00 with light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and storytelling begins at 5:00.

This annual run/walk timed event raises funds to support Open Arms Pregnancy Center. Open Arms supports women facing unplanned pregnancies by providing free, confidential ultrasounds and maternity supplies. Mothers receive monthly diapers, clothing and other items once their babies are born up to the child’s 18th month.
The 5k and Fun Run will be held at Bill Moore Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, NC at 8:30AM.
Runners should register now (by May 9) at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Fletcher/Run4for5k for early bird pricing and to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
Businesses/Individuals interested in being a race sponsor can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 828.676.4510.

Calling all young storytellers ages 8-13!
Gallery Tales is a 6-week program where kids explore various art pieces in the gallery to spark their imaginations and create incredible stories. Each week, participants will engage in interactive writing lessons, write unique tales, and gain the skills and confidence to become published authors. At the end of the program, every young writer will leave with their very own professionally published book and the opportunity to share their work and accomplishments with an audience of family and friends at a special Kids Open Mic Showcase!

Pricing Tiers:
Standard Tier: $397 (Includes all program materials, publishing, and showcase support)
Supporter Tier: $500 (Covers program materials, publishing, showcase support, and helps provide scholarships for other young writers)
Scholarship Option: Available to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.

Limited spots are available for this unique program that celebrates art, and creativity, and inspires young writers to shine. Sign up today!

About the Gallery Tales Instructor:
Kate Wargo is a passionate educator with a decade of experience teaching in elementary classrooms. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she brings her expertise in child development and creative learning to every program she designs. Kate is deeply committed to nurturing the whole child, blending art, writing, and community to create meaningful and transformative experiences. As an advocate for bringing the soul and love back into writing and supporting children’s mental health and well-being, she strives to create safe and inspiring spaces where they can discover their voices and shine as confident, creative storytellers.

Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow
A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
May 29, 2025 | 5–9 PM
Treska’s on Highland Lake, Flat Rock, NC

Join us for Asheville Waldorf School’s Annual Spring Bloom Gala—an evening devoted to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing.

In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and Heidi Zellie of Appalachian Watershed Alliance, this year’s gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, feeding communities, and healing the land. Together, we honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food sovereignty, resilience, and hope.

Offerings:
Farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients
Musical performances
Curated silent auction with local art, experiences, and handmade goods
Inspiring keynote speakers: Andrea DuVall, CEO & Founder of Mother Earth Food, Ines Kinchen, Founder, Emerald Ark School & Sanctuary, Grandmaster Tony Morris, Founder, Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts

All proceeds support Asheville Waldorf School, furthering our mission to nurture head, heart, and hands through holistic education.

Nancy, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation, currently resides in the Wolftown community of the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC. Nancy is passionate about promoting the rich culture and heritage of Cherokee women in today’s society.

Inspired by her father, Nancy has become a renowned storyteller, dedicated to preserving and sharing the traditions and history of the Anikituwah/Eastern Band of the Cherokee people.

As a valued member of the Cherokee storyteller group, she is regularly featured at the Oconaluftee Island Park summer bonfire events.

Nancy will kick off our speaker series with a talk on land stewardship, highlighting cultural knowledge, tradition, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Pan Harmonia, Asheville’s award winning chamber music company presents Dances in Nature for flute and harp with Kate Steinbeck and Jessica Schaeffer Sunday, June 1st at 3 pm at First Presbyterian Church Asheville and Friday, June 6th at 7 pm at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Enjoy mystical dances and haunting melodies by Alan Hovhaness, Joseph Jongen and Carl Nielsen along with tunes inspired by ocean creatures, waltzes, boleros and salsa.

Celebrating its 25th season, Pan Harmonia offers pay-as-you-can, donation-based performances; no one is turned away for lack of funds. “Music is for everyone!,” says Steinbeck. Those that can, help by donating funds for the musicians and Pan Harmonia operations.

Reserve in advance and receive parking information.

For more information visit: https://panharmonia.org/events/

Mountain Valleys RC&D is a conservation non-profit that has served 8 counties in Western NC for over 50 years. We connect farmers, landowners, and small business owners with conservation programs including Shade Your Stream, a grant funded initiative to stabilize eroding streambanks with native plants. In this program, you will learn where to purchase erosion control materials (biodegradable coir matting and stakes), the ideal slope for grading banks, how to apply coir matting, and the best varieties of seeds, live stakes, and native plants to use to establish root systems. We will discuss the benefits of vegetating the riparian zone (the area adjacent to fresh, running water) and the impact riparian zones have on flooding.

It’s time to daub, dance, and donate with a hilarious drag queen at Blue Ridge Bingo – Asheville’s most whimsical way to give back! The first ball drops at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6th at the Hilltop Events Center. Tickets start at $20, include bingo cards, and are available at https://BeardedLadyProductions.org. This event is for ages 21 and up. This month, the drag queen host guides guests over the rainbow for a night of heart, courage, and fabulous fun! Expect six rounds of spellbinding bingo, prizes, and upbeat tunes for clicking your ruby heels with joy. General Admission: USD 20.00

Pan Harmonia, Asheville’s award winning chamber music company presents Dances in Nature for flute and harp with Kate Steinbeck and Jessica Schaeffer Sunday, June 1st at 3 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville and Friday, June 6th at 7 pm at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Enjoy mystical dances and haunting melodies by Alan Hovhaness, Joseph Jongen and Carl Nielsen along with tunes inspired by ocean creatures, waltzes, boleros and salsa.

Now, celebrating its 25th season, Pan Harmonia offers pay-as-you-can, donation-based performances; no one is turned away for lack of funds. “Music is for everyone!,” says Steinbeck. Those that can, help by donating funds for the musicians and Pan Harmonia operations.

Reserve in advance and receive parking information.

For more information visit: https://panharmonia.org/events/

The Henderson County Curb Market, located at 221 N. Church Street in downtown Hendersonville, extends an invitation for its June Jamboree on Saturday, June 7th, from 8:00am – 2:00pm. The Market will offer live Bluegrass music by Liberty Road, a hot dog plate lunch available for purchase, a craft for Father’s Day at the children’s activity table, and a local authors’ signing. Visitors will enjoy chatting with Market vendors and shopping for produce and the many unique items created by local crafters. Fresh baked goods (including gluten free selections), free range eggs, preserves and honey will also be offered. With each purchase, a raffle ticket will be given for a chance to win a basket filled with Curb Market items donated by vendors. This is sure to be an enjoyable, relaxing day for all.