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.

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Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Jul 3 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Garden Events Outdoors
The Fourth of July at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Jul 3 @ 1:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Celebrate Independence Day with us at The Omni Grove Park Inn, where grandeur meets festivity. Witness the night sky come alive with two breathtaking fireworks displays, enjoy live music in our iconic Great Hall and by the outdoor pool, and dive into family-friendly activities like movie screenings, bingo, and glitter tattoos. Our beloved mascot, Major Bear, will make a special appearance, spreading cheer and creating magical moments. From morning till night, there’s always something happening, ensuring a perfect blend of relaxation and celebration.

Experience double the thrill this Independence Day with our Stars & Stripes Package. Relish in viewing two mesmerizing firework shows, with exclusive viewing, and indulge in an Evening Picnic on July 4th with live music and activities for all ages. Join us for a patriotic weekend filled with fun, music, and memories. We look forward to celebrating with you!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Family Movie Screening │Laurel │1 PM – 3 PM
Live Music │Great Hall │3 PM -6 PM
Balloon Twister │Great Hall │4 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Family Bingo │Skyline │1 PM -3 PM
Live Music with Alex Taub │ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Glitter Tattoos │ Great Hall │3 PM -5 PM
Stars & Stripes Evening Picnic │TBD │7 PM – 10 PM
City of Asheville Fireworks │9:30 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 5

Craft │Outdoor Pool│2 PM – 3 PM
Family Movie Screening │Laurel │3 PM -5 PM
Live Music with Jamar Woods│ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Live Music with Jeff Thompson │Outdoor Pool │1 PM -3 PM
Family Bingo │Skyline │3 PM -4 PM

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
Native Plants for the Garden Workshop
Jul 3 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Dr. John Wilson Community Garden

 

Tickets: $15 (cash, check, or card at event)

Please RSVP to [email protected] so we can prepare for class size, but you are welcome to join regardless.

Join them to learn about the benefits of native plants for us, our gardens, and the ecosystems we call home.

Adam Bigelow, avid organic gardener, will lead us as we immerse ourselves in the diversity of native plants. We will discuss how natives work to attract beneficial insects, beautify vegetable and flower gardens, and provide nutrition to the dinner plate.

Read more
Categories: Garden Garden Events
Asheville Tourists vs. Greenville Drive Independence Day Fireworks
Jul 3 @ 6:35 pm
McCormick Field

Independence Day Fireworks

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Categories: Community Family Fun Featured Holiday Sports
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Farm Beginnings® Program: Farmer program applications open
Jul 4 all-day
Organic Growers School

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

The OGS Approach

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Read more
Categories: Education Garden Garden Events
Support this year’s Camp Bluebird
Jul 4 all-day
online w/ Pisgah Health Foundation

Camp Bluebird 2024 is coming This September!

Together, We Soar!
Make a Difference in the Lives of Adult Cancer Survivors:

 

Did you know almost 2 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2023 alone? Each year, millions of people are directly impacted by cancer with an estimated almost 40% of Americans being diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.

 

For those who’ve heard the dreaded three words “You have cancer,” their lives have changed forever, and their new journey is often filled with tears, worry, isolation, and heartache. At Camp Bluebird, we want to help survivors realize their story is not over when they get their diagnosis, they have merely started writing a new chapter…one filled with resilience, hope, and a new sense of determination. And most importantly, we want them to know they are not alone in this journey.

A camp dedicated to survivors and their journeys of healing and hope…What is Camp Bluebird?

 

Camp Bluebird is a 3-day, 2-night camp where survivors join together for companionship, arts, wellness and therapeutic activities, and even a DJ dance party! Our camp is designed to empower survivors on their journeys of healing and rediscovery while making lifelong friendships.

 

This year’s camp will take place September 10-12, 2024 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in historic Flat Rock, NC.

 

 

We hope you will consider helping  as we reach more campers and make a greater impact in the survivor community!

CAMP BLUEBIRD’S MISSION

 

At Camp Bluebird, our mission is to provide space for cancer survivors from all walks of life to come together for support, encouragement, and understanding.  A place where hearts find rest, strength ignites and spirits SOAR as we share in a journey of healing and hope.

Donate Securely Online

With generous donations from our community and friends like you, we can ensure every deserving survivor can experience the magic of Camp Bluebird. Every donation, no matter the size, makes an impact.

 

Donations not only help those with financial hardships, but also help pay for camp activities, programs, and supplies. Will you help make an impact this year?

Your gift today makes a difference in the lives of Cancer Survivors! 
Read more
Categories: Community Donations
Tools to Support Liberation
Jul 4 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Read more
Categories: Community Donations Garden Events
Urgent need for blood donations during holidays
Jul 4 all-day
Blood Connection

The need for blood products as vital parts of life-saving medical procedures and treatments is constant. As summer begins to hit its stride, the need for these blood products in the community significantly increases while blood donor turnout typically drops.

 

The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center which serves local hospitals, wants to make the public aware of an urgent need for blood right now and urges the communities it serves to celebrate this Independence Day by volunteering to donate blood to fellow Americans – their neighbors in need – during TBC’s Freedom Week promotion July 1-4.

 

According to AAA, an estimated 70.9 million Americans are expected to travel more than 50 miles from their homes during the entire week of July 4th this year. With the increase in travel during the summer months, hospitals in our communities have historically seen an increased volume of trauma cases. This is why TBC is urging any community member who is willing, to come out and donate blood.  The local life-saving organization stresses that it is the blood on the shelves – waiting in case of trauma events – that saves lives.

 

“It is imperative that the local community come forward to support the hospitals in their area during this time of urgent need for blood donations,” said Delisa English, President & CEO of The Blood Connection. “Unlike many of the other products used to treat trauma and other injuries, blood cannot be replaced through lab manufacturing or built on an assembly line. Blood must be donated from volunteer donors, who embody the selflessness that is a staple of our nation.”

 

TBC will have its donation centers open this entire week including July 4 and will continue hosting mobile blood drives July 1-4. As a thank you for donating during this time, all donors will receive $70 in rewards and an exclusive TBC Freedom Week t-shirt. To find a blood drive or center near you, visit thebloodconnection.org/donate. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome.

 

Read more
Categories: Community Donations Health & Wellness
WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
Jul 4 all-day
Asheville Area

Become a CRAFT member and join us for some incredible CRAFT farm tours this summer!

WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).

Why join CRAFT?

  • Network with beginning and experienced farmers to exchange your ideas and knowledge and build community in the region.
  • Expand your training opportunities beyond your farm to bolster the robustness of your apprenticeship offerings.
  • Attract aspiring farmers to your apprenticeship positions to cultivate success and improve the future of our region’s agriculture.
  • Farm tours are held monthly from April through October and focus on a specific aspect of sustainable farming. Check out the tour schedule and read blog posts about past tours.
  • Gain access to the CRAFT Farmer Handbook: farmer-generated, regionally-specific information on all aspects of farming.
  • Round-table discussions provide a place for farmers to discuss advanced farming topics.
  • The farmer network includes farmers and farm workers and is built on a farmer-to-farmer exchange of ideas.
Learn More
Read more
Categories: Garden Garden Events Tours
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Jul 4 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Garden Events Outdoors
july 4th celebration with concert & fireworks display
Jul 4 @ 10:30 am – 9:00 pm
Main Street, Hendersonville, NC

Come out to Hendersonville on July 4th to celebrate our nation’s birthday!

The day begins with a parade, which runs north along Main Street in the morning. In the evening, come downtown for a family-friendly festival with inflatables, kid’s games and activities, food trucks, and 2 stages of live music. The evening will be capped-off with a fireworks** display that can be seen from either concert area (sponsored by the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority). In 2024, the festivities are organized by the Arts Council of Henderson County, Downtown Merchants & Business Association, and Henderson County Parks and Recreation.

 

 

**Please note, fireworks will be launched shortly after dark from Jackson Park, which will be closed to the public at that time. Look for the big red balloon the morning of July 4th, if you can see it, you will be able to see fireworks.

10:30 am – 11:00 am

4th of July Parade

Read more
Categories: Community Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Independence Day Block Party
Jul 4 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
South Slope Brewing District
Join us for the Ingles Independence Day Block Party, presented by Ingles, in Asheville’s South Slope area on July 4th. Enjoy free entry, local food vendors, crafts, kids’ activities, and live music!
This Fourth of July, the Asheville Downtown Association and the City of Asheville are excited to invite you to the Ingles Independence Day Block Party, presented by Ingles. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s event will be free to attend and is moving to the vibrant South Slope area, specifically on Coxe Avenue and Buxton Avenue in Downtown Asheville. The festivities kick off at noon with a thrilling performance by the Ultimate Airdogs, alongside a variety of local food and beverage vendors where delicious treats will be available for purchase throughout the day. Additionally, a number of local marketplace vendors will be present, offering unique goods and crafts that showcase the best of Asheville’s vibrant community. The entire South Slope neighborhood is participating, ensuring an exciting day filled with kids’ activities, live music, and engaging activations for all ages. The Rock Academy will provide musical entertainment during the early part of the day, setting the perfect mood for a celebration of independence and community spirit. At 4:30 PM, the main stage opens with Asheville’s very own Secret Agent 23 Skidoo as the emcee, followed by performances from DJ Badonkey Kong and The Legendary Tuesday Night Funk Jam House Band. The night will feature a headline performance by The Pink Stones. Don’t miss the grand finale – a dazzling fireworks display set to light up the night sky at 9:30 PM. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate our nation’s independence in the heart of Asheville. Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a day filled with music, fun, and community spirit. We look forward to celebrating with you! These events are not possible without our amazing community sponsors. A big thank you to Ingles Markets, Tribute Companies, Burial Brewing, Wicked Weed Brewing, Empire Distributors, Renewal by Andersen, Go Mini’s Mobile Storage, Bears Smokehouse BBQ, The Element Hotel, A Look at Asheville, PieZaa, and more!
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Categories: Community Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
The Fourth of July at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Jul 4 @ 1:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Celebrate Independence Day with us at The Omni Grove Park Inn, where grandeur meets festivity. Witness the night sky come alive with two breathtaking fireworks displays, enjoy live music in our iconic Great Hall and by the outdoor pool, and dive into family-friendly activities like movie screenings, bingo, and glitter tattoos. Our beloved mascot, Major Bear, will make a special appearance, spreading cheer and creating magical moments. From morning till night, there’s always something happening, ensuring a perfect blend of relaxation and celebration.

Experience double the thrill this Independence Day with our Stars & Stripes Package. Relish in viewing two mesmerizing firework shows, with exclusive viewing, and indulge in an Evening Picnic on July 4th with live music and activities for all ages. Join us for a patriotic weekend filled with fun, music, and memories. We look forward to celebrating with you!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Family Movie Screening │Laurel │1 PM – 3 PM
Live Music │Great Hall │3 PM -6 PM
Balloon Twister │Great Hall │4 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Family Bingo │Skyline │1 PM -3 PM
Live Music with Alex Taub │ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Glitter Tattoos │ Great Hall │3 PM -5 PM
Stars & Stripes Evening Picnic │TBD │7 PM – 10 PM
City of Asheville Fireworks │9:30 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 5

Craft │Outdoor Pool│2 PM – 3 PM
Family Movie Screening │Laurel │3 PM -5 PM
Live Music with Jamar Woods│ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Live Music with Jeff Thompson │Outdoor Pool │1 PM -3 PM
Family Bingo │Skyline │3 PM -4 PM

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
Independence Day Celebration
Jul 4 @ 4:00 pm
Coxe Avenue and Buxton Avenue

This Fourth of July, the Asheville Downtown Association and the City of Asheville are excited to invite you to the Independence Day Block Party, presented by Ingles. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s free event is moving to the vibrant South Slope area, specifically on Coxe Avenue and Buxton Avenue in Downtown Asheville.

The festivities kick off at noon with a thrilling performance by the Ultimate Airdogs, alongside a variety of local food and beverage vendors where delicious treats will be available for purchase throughout the day. Additionally, a number of local marketplace vendors will be present, offering unique goods and crafts that showcase the best of Asheville’s vibrant community.

The entire South Slope neighborhood is participating, ensuring an exciting day filled with kids’ activities, live music, and engaging activations for all ages. The Rock Academy will provide musical entertainment during the early part of the day, setting the perfect mood for a celebration of independence and community spirit.

At 4:00 PM, the main stage opens with Asheville’s very own Secret Agent 23 Skidoo as the emcee, followed by performances from DJ Badonkey Kong and The Legendary Tuesday Night Funk Jam House Band. The night will feature a headline performance by The Pink Stones.

Don’t miss the grand finale – a dazzling fireworks display set to light up the night sky at 9:30 PM. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate our nation’s independence in the heart of Asheville.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a day filled with music, fun, and community spirit. We look forward to celebrating with you!

For more information, please visit www.ashevilledowntown.org or contact [email protected].
Read more
Categories: Community Family Fun Holiday
4th of July at The Horse Shoe Farm | The Silo Cookhouse x Root & Bone
Jul 4 @ 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm
The Horse Shoe Farm

Join us for our annual 4th of July Celebration! A Low Country Boil with The Silo Cookhouse & Root & Bone + Live Music + FIREWORKS!

Read more
Categories: Community Family Fun Food & Drink Holiday Music Outdoors
Friday, July 5, 2024
Farm Beginnings® Program: Farmer program applications open
Jul 5 all-day
Organic Growers School

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

The OGS Approach

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Read more
Categories: Education Garden Garden Events
Support this year’s Camp Bluebird
Jul 5 all-day
online w/ Pisgah Health Foundation

Camp Bluebird 2024 is coming This September!

Together, We Soar!
Make a Difference in the Lives of Adult Cancer Survivors:

 

Did you know almost 2 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2023 alone? Each year, millions of people are directly impacted by cancer with an estimated almost 40% of Americans being diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.

 

For those who’ve heard the dreaded three words “You have cancer,” their lives have changed forever, and their new journey is often filled with tears, worry, isolation, and heartache. At Camp Bluebird, we want to help survivors realize their story is not over when they get their diagnosis, they have merely started writing a new chapter…one filled with resilience, hope, and a new sense of determination. And most importantly, we want them to know they are not alone in this journey.

A camp dedicated to survivors and their journeys of healing and hope…What is Camp Bluebird?

 

Camp Bluebird is a 3-day, 2-night camp where survivors join together for companionship, arts, wellness and therapeutic activities, and even a DJ dance party! Our camp is designed to empower survivors on their journeys of healing and rediscovery while making lifelong friendships.

 

This year’s camp will take place September 10-12, 2024 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in historic Flat Rock, NC.

 

 

We hope you will consider helping  as we reach more campers and make a greater impact in the survivor community!

CAMP BLUEBIRD’S MISSION

 

At Camp Bluebird, our mission is to provide space for cancer survivors from all walks of life to come together for support, encouragement, and understanding.  A place where hearts find rest, strength ignites and spirits SOAR as we share in a journey of healing and hope.

Donate Securely Online

With generous donations from our community and friends like you, we can ensure every deserving survivor can experience the magic of Camp Bluebird. Every donation, no matter the size, makes an impact.

 

Donations not only help those with financial hardships, but also help pay for camp activities, programs, and supplies. Will you help make an impact this year?

Your gift today makes a difference in the lives of Cancer Survivors! 
Read more
Categories: Community Donations
Urgent need for blood donations during holidays
Jul 5 all-day
Blood Connection

The need for blood products as vital parts of life-saving medical procedures and treatments is constant. As summer begins to hit its stride, the need for these blood products in the community significantly increases while blood donor turnout typically drops.

 

The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center which serves local hospitals, wants to make the public aware of an urgent need for blood right now and urges the communities it serves to celebrate this Independence Day by volunteering to donate blood to fellow Americans – their neighbors in need – during TBC’s Freedom Week promotion July 1-4.

 

According to AAA, an estimated 70.9 million Americans are expected to travel more than 50 miles from their homes during the entire week of July 4th this year. With the increase in travel during the summer months, hospitals in our communities have historically seen an increased volume of trauma cases. This is why TBC is urging any community member who is willing, to come out and donate blood.  The local life-saving organization stresses that it is the blood on the shelves – waiting in case of trauma events – that saves lives.

 

“It is imperative that the local community come forward to support the hospitals in their area during this time of urgent need for blood donations,” said Delisa English, President & CEO of The Blood Connection. “Unlike many of the other products used to treat trauma and other injuries, blood cannot be replaced through lab manufacturing or built on an assembly line. Blood must be donated from volunteer donors, who embody the selflessness that is a staple of our nation.”

 

TBC will have its donation centers open this entire week including July 4 and will continue hosting mobile blood drives July 1-4. As a thank you for donating during this time, all donors will receive $70 in rewards and an exclusive TBC Freedom Week t-shirt. To find a blood drive or center near you, visit thebloodconnection.org/donate. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome.

 

Read more
Categories: Community Donations Health & Wellness
WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
Jul 5 all-day
Asheville Area

Become a CRAFT member and join us for some incredible CRAFT farm tours this summer!

WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).

Why join CRAFT?

  • Network with beginning and experienced farmers to exchange your ideas and knowledge and build community in the region.
  • Expand your training opportunities beyond your farm to bolster the robustness of your apprenticeship offerings.
  • Attract aspiring farmers to your apprenticeship positions to cultivate success and improve the future of our region’s agriculture.
  • Farm tours are held monthly from April through October and focus on a specific aspect of sustainable farming. Check out the tour schedule and read blog posts about past tours.
  • Gain access to the CRAFT Farmer Handbook: farmer-generated, regionally-specific information on all aspects of farming.
  • Round-table discussions provide a place for farmers to discuss advanced farming topics.
  • The farmer network includes farmers and farm workers and is built on a farmer-to-farmer exchange of ideas.
Learn More
Read more
Categories: Garden Garden Events Tours
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Jul 5 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Garden Events Outdoors
The Fourth of July at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Jul 5 @ 1:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Celebrate Independence Day with us at The Omni Grove Park Inn, where grandeur meets festivity. Witness the night sky come alive with two breathtaking fireworks displays, enjoy live music in our iconic Great Hall and by the outdoor pool, and dive into family-friendly activities like movie screenings, bingo, and glitter tattoos. Our beloved mascot, Major Bear, will make a special appearance, spreading cheer and creating magical moments. From morning till night, there’s always something happening, ensuring a perfect blend of relaxation and celebration.

Experience double the thrill this Independence Day with our Stars & Stripes Package. Relish in viewing two mesmerizing firework shows, with exclusive viewing, and indulge in an Evening Picnic on July 4th with live music and activities for all ages. Join us for a patriotic weekend filled with fun, music, and memories. We look forward to celebrating with you!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Family Movie Screening │Laurel │1 PM – 3 PM
Live Music │Great Hall │3 PM -6 PM
Balloon Twister │Great Hall │4 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Family Bingo │Skyline │1 PM -3 PM
Live Music with Alex Taub │ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Glitter Tattoos │ Great Hall │3 PM -5 PM
Stars & Stripes Evening Picnic │TBD │7 PM – 10 PM
City of Asheville Fireworks │9:30 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 5

Craft │Outdoor Pool│2 PM – 3 PM
Family Movie Screening │Laurel │3 PM -5 PM
Live Music with Jamar Woods│ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Live Music with Jeff Thompson │Outdoor Pool │1 PM -3 PM
Family Bingo │Skyline │3 PM -4 PM

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Farm Beginnings® Program: Farmer program applications open
Jul 6 all-day
Organic Growers School

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

The OGS Approach

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Read more
Categories: Education Garden Garden Events
WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
Jul 6 all-day
Asheville Area

Become a CRAFT member and join us for some incredible CRAFT farm tours this summer!

WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).

Why join CRAFT?

  • Network with beginning and experienced farmers to exchange your ideas and knowledge and build community in the region.
  • Expand your training opportunities beyond your farm to bolster the robustness of your apprenticeship offerings.
  • Attract aspiring farmers to your apprenticeship positions to cultivate success and improve the future of our region’s agriculture.
  • Farm tours are held monthly from April through October and focus on a specific aspect of sustainable farming. Check out the tour schedule and read blog posts about past tours.
  • Gain access to the CRAFT Farmer Handbook: farmer-generated, regionally-specific information on all aspects of farming.
  • Round-table discussions provide a place for farmers to discuss advanced farming topics.
  • The farmer network includes farmers and farm workers and is built on a farmer-to-farmer exchange of ideas.
Learn More
Read more
Categories: Garden Garden Events Tours
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Jul 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Garden Events Outdoors
The Fourth of July at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Jul 6 @ 1:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Celebrate Independence Day with us at The Omni Grove Park Inn, where grandeur meets festivity. Witness the night sky come alive with two breathtaking fireworks displays, enjoy live music in our iconic Great Hall and by the outdoor pool, and dive into family-friendly activities like movie screenings, bingo, and glitter tattoos. Our beloved mascot, Major Bear, will make a special appearance, spreading cheer and creating magical moments. From morning till night, there’s always something happening, ensuring a perfect blend of relaxation and celebration.

Experience double the thrill this Independence Day with our Stars & Stripes Package. Relish in viewing two mesmerizing firework shows, with exclusive viewing, and indulge in an Evening Picnic on July 4th with live music and activities for all ages. Join us for a patriotic weekend filled with fun, music, and memories. We look forward to celebrating with you!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Family Movie Screening │Laurel │1 PM – 3 PM
Live Music │Great Hall │3 PM -6 PM
Balloon Twister │Great Hall │4 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Family Bingo │Skyline │1 PM -3 PM
Live Music with Alex Taub │ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Glitter Tattoos │ Great Hall │3 PM -5 PM
Stars & Stripes Evening Picnic │TBD │7 PM – 10 PM
City of Asheville Fireworks │9:30 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 5

Craft │Outdoor Pool│2 PM – 3 PM
Family Movie Screening │Laurel │3 PM -5 PM
Live Music with Jamar Woods│ Great Hall │ 3 PM -6 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn’s Fireworks │TBD │ 9 PM -10 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Live Music with Jeff Thompson │Outdoor Pool │1 PM -3 PM
Family Bingo │Skyline │3 PM -4 PM

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
Farm to Fiber: From Indigo Plant to Indigo Dye
Jul 6 @ 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
R Farm

Indigo, a deep blue dye derived from the indigo plant (Indigofera), has a rich and complex history in North America. This workshop will incorporate the history of the indigo plant, how artists use it today, and how to grow and use indigo on a small scale. We will visit the field where a local farmer’s indigo plants are growing, harvest our own stalks, use them in a fresh leaf extraction method for dyeing a variety of materials, as well as see a demo of the multi-day traditional dyeing process.

This class includes a silk scarf, indigo supplies, and all the tools you’ll need to dye your scarf.

Read more
Categories: Garden Garden Events
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
Jul 7 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Read more
Categories: Community Donations Garden Events
WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
Jul 7 all-day
Asheville Area

Become a CRAFT member and join us for some incredible CRAFT farm tours this summer!

WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).

Why join CRAFT?

  • Network with beginning and experienced farmers to exchange your ideas and knowledge and build community in the region.
  • Expand your training opportunities beyond your farm to bolster the robustness of your apprenticeship offerings.
  • Attract aspiring farmers to your apprenticeship positions to cultivate success and improve the future of our region’s agriculture.
  • Farm tours are held monthly from April through October and focus on a specific aspect of sustainable farming. Check out the tour schedule and read blog posts about past tours.
  • Gain access to the CRAFT Farmer Handbook: farmer-generated, regionally-specific information on all aspects of farming.
  • Round-table discussions provide a place for farmers to discuss advanced farming topics.
  • The farmer network includes farmers and farm workers and is built on a farmer-to-farmer exchange of ideas.
Learn More
Read more
Categories: Garden Garden Events Tours
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Jul 7 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Garden Events Outdoors
Monday, July 8, 2024
Farm Beginnings® Program: Farmer program applications open
Jul 8 all-day
Organic Growers School

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

The OGS Approach

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Read more
Categories: Education Garden Garden Events