Calendar of Events
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.

Join us for a guided meditation session by Asheville Wellness Tours! Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of a wide variety of instruments including crystal bowls, gongs, didgeridoo, handpans, flutes, chimes, and so much more! Feel the vibrations wash away any stress or tension and enjoy this opportunity to clear your mind and renew. Space is limited.
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
Swimming Pools
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.
Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.
Admission
- Individual – $3 per session
- Individual Season Pass – $100
- Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)
Locations
- Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
- Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road
Events
- Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
-
Pools will open Saturday, May 25!
Dates of Operation:
Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
August 12th through September 2ndPools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!
Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pmCost is $3 per person per day

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Mondays: Pickin’ in the Park
Enjoy performances by local singer-songwriters in an intimate and relaxed setting. Experience the rich musical heritage of Asheville as talented musicians share their stories and songs.
Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors, Inc. (Affiliated Monitors) announce the schedule for six independent monitor community meetings to be held in June. The
newly selected Independent Monitor (IM) is responsible for overseeing HCA Healthcare’s compliance with its commitments set forth in the purchase agreement for Mission Health
System.
The upcoming community meetings are part of the expanded scope of work for the IM, with increased community engagement and education. The updated Independent Monitor
website and registration information will be available on June 3.
During the community meetings, Affiliated Monitors will introduce their team to the community,
review HCA’s remaining commitments under the APA, provide an overview of how independent
monitoring works within the constraints of the established APA, and update the communities
about the steps Affiliated Monitors has taken to date. In addition, the public meetings will
provide attendees an opportunity to share information with the new IM and ask questions about
the process. Concerns which fall outside of the role of the IM will be referred by Affiliated
Monitors to an appropriate party.
About Community Meetings
This June, the Independent Monitor will host Community Meetings where individuals can hear about the Independent Monitor’s work and ask questions of the Independent Monitor. The Independent Monitor urges interested individuals to register to attend one of the scheduled Community Meetings and to submit any questions or comments in advance when you register here.
To learn more about this year’s Community Meetings, view this Press Release.
To see a schedule of this year’s Community Meetings, view the schedule below.
To register to attend a Community Meeting and/or to submit a question or comment for the Community Meetings, click here.
In addition, individuals can attend any of the Community Meetings virtually. To attend a Community Meeting virtually, you must register using the link associated with the specific meeting below that you would like to attend virtually.
The format for each meeting is designed to both educate community members on the monitoring
process and to gather input pertaining to each HCA facility within their community. As room
capacities will be limited; Affiliated Monitors has requested that attendees pre-register for their
selected location beginning June 3, using the updated Independent Monitor website. Details
about virtual viewing options will also be made available at that time to those who are unable to
attend.
Attendees, and those who are unable to attend, will be able to submit questions in advance via
the website, beginning June 3. Answers will be grouped by topic and prioritized based on
All meetings begin at 5:30p.m. and doors will open 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting.
Locations, dates, and times of the public meetings are listed below:
McDowell County Meeting (Mission Hospital McDowell)
Monday, June 10 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Marion Community Building, 191 N Main St, Marion, NC
Mitchell/Yancey Counties Meeting (Blue Ridge Regional Hospital)
Tuesday, June 11 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)Cross Street Commerce Center, 31 Cross St #215, Spruce Pine, NC
Buncombe County Meeting (Mission Hospital)
Wednesday, June 12 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech, Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC
Transylvania County Meeting (Transylvania Regional Hospital)
Monday, June 17 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Transylvania County Library, 212 Gaston St. Brevard, NC
Highlands/Cashiers Meeting (Highlands-Cashiers Hospital)
Tuesday, June 18 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Final location coming soon.
Macon County Meeting (Angel Medical Center)
Thursday, June 20 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Robert C. Carpenter Room, Macon County Community Facilities Building
1288 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC
Affiliated Monitors, Inc. is a Boston-based company with 20 years of independent monitoring
experience in healthcare, with an emphasis in health care regulation, consumer protection, antitrust, and fraud and abuse.
The independent monitor was selected in April 2024 by Dogwood Health Trust to monitor HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s remaining obligations under the Asset Purchase
Agreement.
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole
purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18
counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on
innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and
wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness.
Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can
live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more,
please visit www.dht.org.
Swimming Pools
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.
Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.
Admission
- Individual – $3 per session
- Individual Season Pass – $100
- Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)
Locations
- Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
- Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road
Events
- Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
-
Pools will open Saturday, May 25!
Dates of Operation:
Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
August 12th through September 2ndPools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!
Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pmCost is $3 per person per day

Want to learn more about managing depression and nervous energy? Got questions about medications or emotional implications of chronic illness? Join Vaya Health’s Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty team for a series of classes at the Enka-Candler and Leicester Libraries
Classes are free to attend, but registration is required. Please visit the Vaya Health calendar to register. Everyone is welcome.
Receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can produce a range of emotional responses. In this training, we will explore the physical and mental impact of these conditions. Understanding can help us remain proactive, be resilient and promote better outcomes.
Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors, Inc. (Affiliated Monitors) announce the schedule for six independent monitor community meetings to be held in June. The
newly selected Independent Monitor (IM) is responsible for overseeing HCA Healthcare’s compliance with its commitments set forth in the purchase agreement for Mission Health
System.
The upcoming community meetings are part of the expanded scope of work for the IM, with increased community engagement and education. The updated Independent Monitor
website and registration information will be available on June 3.
During the community meetings, Affiliated Monitors will introduce their team to the community,
review HCA’s remaining commitments under the APA, provide an overview of how independent
monitoring works within the constraints of the established APA, and update the communities
about the steps Affiliated Monitors has taken to date. In addition, the public meetings will
provide attendees an opportunity to share information with the new IM and ask questions about
the process. Concerns which fall outside of the role of the IM will be referred by Affiliated
Monitors to an appropriate party.
About Community Meetings
This June, the Independent Monitor will host Community Meetings where individuals can hear about the Independent Monitor’s work and ask questions of the Independent Monitor. The Independent Monitor urges interested individuals to register to attend one of the scheduled Community Meetings and to submit any questions or comments in advance when you register here.
To learn more about this year’s Community Meetings, view this Press Release.
To see a schedule of this year’s Community Meetings, view the schedule below.
To register to attend a Community Meeting and/or to submit a question or comment for the Community Meetings, click here.
In addition, individuals can attend any of the Community Meetings virtually. To attend a Community Meeting virtually, you must register using the link associated with the specific meeting below that you would like to attend virtually.
The format for each meeting is designed to both educate community members on the monitoring
process and to gather input pertaining to each HCA facility within their community. As room
capacities will be limited; Affiliated Monitors has requested that attendees pre-register for their
selected location beginning June 3, using the updated Independent Monitor website. Details
about virtual viewing options will also be made available at that time to those who are unable to
attend.
Attendees, and those who are unable to attend, will be able to submit questions in advance via
the website, beginning June 3. Answers will be grouped by topic and prioritized based on
All meetings begin at 5:30p.m. and doors will open 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting.
Locations, dates, and times of the public meetings are listed below:
McDowell County Meeting (Mission Hospital McDowell)
Monday, June 10 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Marion Community Building, 191 N Main St, Marion, NC
Mitchell/Yancey Counties Meeting (Blue Ridge Regional Hospital)
Tuesday, June 11 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)Cross Street Commerce Center, 31 Cross St #215, Spruce Pine, NC
Buncombe County Meeting (Mission Hospital)
Wednesday, June 12 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech, Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC
Transylvania County Meeting (Transylvania Regional Hospital)
Monday, June 17 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Transylvania County Library, 212 Gaston St. Brevard, NC
Highlands/Cashiers Meeting (Highlands-Cashiers Hospital)
Tuesday, June 18 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Final location coming soon.
Macon County Meeting (Angel Medical Center)
Thursday, June 20 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Robert C. Carpenter Room, Macon County Community Facilities Building
1288 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC
Affiliated Monitors, Inc. is a Boston-based company with 20 years of independent monitoring
experience in healthcare, with an emphasis in health care regulation, consumer protection, antitrust, and fraud and abuse.
The independent monitor was selected in April 2024 by Dogwood Health Trust to monitor HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s remaining obligations under the Asset Purchase
Agreement.
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole
purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18
counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on
innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and
wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness.
Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can
live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more,
please visit www.dht.org.
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
Swimming Pools
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.
Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.
Admission
- Individual – $3 per session
- Individual Season Pass – $100
- Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)
Locations
- Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
- Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road
Events
- Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
-
Pools will open Saturday, May 25!
Dates of Operation:
Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
August 12th through September 2ndPools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!
Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pmCost is $3 per person per day

Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors, Inc. (Affiliated Monitors) announce the schedule for six independent monitor community meetings to be held in June. The
newly selected Independent Monitor (IM) is responsible for overseeing HCA Healthcare’s compliance with its commitments set forth in the purchase agreement for Mission Health
System.
The upcoming community meetings are part of the expanded scope of work for the IM, with increased community engagement and education. The updated Independent Monitor
website and registration information will be available on June 3.
During the community meetings, Affiliated Monitors will introduce their team to the community,
review HCA’s remaining commitments under the APA, provide an overview of how independent
monitoring works within the constraints of the established APA, and update the communities
about the steps Affiliated Monitors has taken to date. In addition, the public meetings will
provide attendees an opportunity to share information with the new IM and ask questions about
the process. Concerns which fall outside of the role of the IM will be referred by Affiliated
Monitors to an appropriate party.
About Community Meetings
This June, the Independent Monitor will host Community Meetings where individuals can hear about the Independent Monitor’s work and ask questions of the Independent Monitor. The Independent Monitor urges interested individuals to register to attend one of the scheduled Community Meetings and to submit any questions or comments in advance when you register here.
To learn more about this year’s Community Meetings, view this Press Release.
To see a schedule of this year’s Community Meetings, view the schedule below.
To register to attend a Community Meeting and/or to submit a question or comment for the Community Meetings, click here.
In addition, individuals can attend any of the Community Meetings virtually. To attend a Community Meeting virtually, you must register using the link associated with the specific meeting below that you would like to attend virtually.
The format for each meeting is designed to both educate community members on the monitoring
process and to gather input pertaining to each HCA facility within their community. As room
capacities will be limited; Affiliated Monitors has requested that attendees pre-register for their
selected location beginning June 3, using the updated Independent Monitor website. Details
about virtual viewing options will also be made available at that time to those who are unable to
attend.
Attendees, and those who are unable to attend, will be able to submit questions in advance via
the website, beginning June 3. Answers will be grouped by topic and prioritized based on
All meetings begin at 5:30p.m. and doors will open 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting.
Locations, dates, and times of the public meetings are listed below:
McDowell County Meeting (Mission Hospital McDowell)
Monday, June 10 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Marion Community Building, 191 N Main St, Marion, NC
Mitchell/Yancey Counties Meeting (Blue Ridge Regional Hospital)
Tuesday, June 11 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)Cross Street Commerce Center, 31 Cross St #215, Spruce Pine, NC
Buncombe County Meeting (Mission Hospital)
Wednesday, June 12 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech, Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC
Transylvania County Meeting (Transylvania Regional Hospital)
Monday, June 17 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Transylvania County Library, 212 Gaston St. Brevard, NC
Highlands/Cashiers Meeting (Highlands-Cashiers Hospital)
Tuesday, June 18 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Final location coming soon.
Macon County Meeting (Angel Medical Center)
Thursday, June 20 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
Robert C. Carpenter Room, Macon County Community Facilities Building
1288 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC
Affiliated Monitors, Inc. is a Boston-based company with 20 years of independent monitoring
experience in healthcare, with an emphasis in health care regulation, consumer protection, antitrust, and fraud and abuse.
The independent monitor was selected in April 2024 by Dogwood Health Trust to monitor HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s remaining obligations under the Asset Purchase
Agreement.
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole
purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18
counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on
innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and
wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness.
Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can
live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more,
please visit www.dht.org.
New Park Pavilion Reservation SoftwareWe have launched a new park pavilion reservation software system where park users can seamlessly book park shelters and fields from the comfort of their home. In order to book a park pavilion or field, go to www.buncombecounty.org/parks and click the “Reserve & Register” button. Click here to view a tutorial on how to book a park pavilion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGOrpvY75Xk |
Swimming Pools
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.
Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.
Admission
- Individual – $3 per session
- Individual Season Pass – $100
- Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)
Locations
- Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
- Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road
Events
- Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
-
Pools will open Saturday, May 25!
Dates of Operation:
Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
August 12th through September 2ndPools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!
Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pmCost is $3 per person per day

|
A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels.This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. You Will Learn To: Who Should Attend? Classes are held once a week for 8 weeks for 2 hours each. Participants are expected to attend the entire series. Registration is required and will be limited. This class will be facilitated by Heather Bauer, master trainer. The series is sponsored by the Land of Sky Area Agency on Aging. |
Want to learn more about managing depression and nervous energy? Got questions about medications or emotional implications of chronic illness? Join Vaya Health’s Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty team for a series of classes at the Enka-Candler and Leicester Libraries
Classes are free to attend, but registration is required. Please visit the Vaya Health calendar to register. Everyone is welcome.
Receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can produce a range of emotional responses. In this training, we will explore the physical and mental impact of these conditions. Understanding can help us remain proactive, be resilient and promote better outcomes.
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
New Park Pavilion Reservation SoftwareWe have launched a new park pavilion reservation software system where park users can seamlessly book park shelters and fields from the comfort of their home. In order to book a park pavilion or field, go to www.buncombecounty.org/parks and click the “Reserve & Register” button. Click here to view a tutorial on how to book a park pavilion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGOrpvY75Xk |
Swimming Pools
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.
Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.
Admission
- Individual – $3 per session
- Individual Season Pass – $100
- Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)
Locations
- Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
- Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road
Events
- Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
-
Pools will open Saturday, May 25!
Dates of Operation:
Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
August 12th through September 2ndPools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!
Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pmCost is $3 per person per day

|
Movies in the Park returns with free family favorite films projected on a massive outdoor screen in Pack Square Park just after dusk on the second Friday of the month! Community members are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the beloved summer tradition produced by Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) and sponsored by Au Pair in America.
The APR Rec n Roll Play Zone opens about an hour before showtime with games, music, and other activities for kids and teens, as well as themed giveaways while supplies last.
.:. Movies in the Park 2024 Lineup .:.
🎩 May 10, begins around 8:25pm – Wonka – Kids receive free bottles of bubbles
🕶 June 14, begins around 8:45pm – Barbie – Kids snag free pink and black sunglasses with UV400 lenses providing 100% UVA and UVB protection
🦝 July 12, begins around 8:45pm – Guardians of the Galaxy – Kids get free Recycling Raccoon coloring books
🤠 August 9, begins around 8:25pm – Toy Story – Kids receive unique rubber duck toys that change color in water
.:. Make a Plan .:.
🌜 All movies begin after dusk in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Approximate showtimes listed above, but plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior.
🥰 Bring blankets and folding chairs for comfort.
🎨 APR Rec n Roll Play Zone activities start approximately an hour before showtime.
👛 Bring money for treats from local vendors Kona Ice of Asheville and Kernel Mike’s World Famous Kettle Corn.
🌮 Food truck and food tent spaces available for vendors who sell more substantial food like pizza, sandwiches, and other entrees. Please contact Calvin Owens at [email protected] or (828) 747-1347 for more info.
🚲 Parking is free in marked spaces on city streets and in city-owned lots on Marjorie and Valley streets after 6pm, so there’s no need to feed the meter.
🚫 Pets, smoking, and alcohol prohibited.
🥳 Have fun! Dress up as your favorite characters, invite friends, and celebrate cool summer nights. Be sure to tag APR on Instagram and Facebook.
⛈ Outdoor events may be impacted by summer weather. Follow APR on Instagram and Facebook for cancellation announcements.
New Park Pavilion Reservation SoftwareWe have launched a new park pavilion reservation software system where park users can seamlessly book park shelters and fields from the comfort of their home. In order to book a park pavilion or field, go to www.buncombecounty.org/parks and click the “Reserve & Register” button. Click here to view a tutorial on how to book a park pavilion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGOrpvY75Xk |
Swimming Pools
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.
Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.
Admission
- Individual – $3 per session
- Individual Season Pass – $100
- Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)
Locations
- Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
- Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road
Events
- Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
-
Pools will open Saturday, May 25!
Dates of Operation:
Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
August 12th through September 2ndPools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!
Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pmCost is $3 per person per day
- On several days throughout the year, tours of the Sandburg Home are free! Advance reservations are not available for tour free days. Tickets will be available first come, first serve on the day of, from the Visitor Center/Park Store in the Sandburg Home.
- Saturday, March 23, 2024 (First Saturday of local school spring break)
- Saturday, June 15, 2024 (Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary)
- Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2024 Weekend closest to Carl Sandburg Home NHS October 17, 1968, Anniversary)

