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

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

Friday, July 26, 2019
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Jul 26 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Community input/design workshops announced for Celebrating African-Americans Through Public Art project
Jul 26 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
YMI Cultural Center

visiting artist rendering

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Art Ecologie abd adé PROJECT, will host four community workshops to help in the completion of a mural and two installations representing the legacy and memories of THE BLOCK.  Residents are invited to become part of the artistic process. The final piece will be unveiled in September during the Goombay Festival.

The City’s Visiting Artist Project has been rebranded as Celebrating African Americans Through Public Art (CAAPA). The inaugural public artwork will be a community-informed project that will honor THE BLOCK.

Here is the community workshop schedule:

Session One: Thursday, July 25

YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Eagle St, Asheville, NC 28801

11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Session 1)

2-6 p.m. (Session 2)

For adults, 18 and older

Childcare and Spanish language interpretation will be provided.

Session Two: Friday, July 26 

YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Eagle St, Asheville, NC 28801

11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Session 3)

2-6 p.m. (Session 4)

For youths, ages 10-17.

Spanish language interpretation will be provided.

Let’s Make History: Help Us Celebrate Pack’s Centennial
Jul 26 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

News
                            article image

We think Pack Memorial Library is looking pretty darn good as it celebrates 100 years of being a free public library. Technically, Pack originally opened as a subscription-based library back in 1879, and after 40 years it became a public library in 1919. After several locations around downtown Asheville, Pack moved into its current home in 1978. To celebrate, we’re hosting a party and have some exciting and original events and activities on tap.

On Friday we will be holding a block party at Pack and here’s what you can expect:

  • Golden ticket giveaway. Between now and the Centennial party, golden tickets will be placed in books throughout the Pack Library. If you find one, you’ll have a chance to run through Bookends used bookstore filling a tote bag with free books.
  • A library themed relay race.
  • Listen to first-hand accounts about fond memories of Pack.
  • Live music.
  • The Hop Ice Cream Café will have special library inspired flavors.

The centennial celebration is also your chance to access rarely seen areas of Pack Memorial Library. “This will be one of the only times the public can take a tour of the top floor of Pack Memorial Library and get a peek at special collections from the North Carolina Room,

And the celebration doesn’t stop after the block party. There will be unique programs and events throughout the year that will be announced on our website, Facebook page, and in our monthly newsletter.

Saturday, July 27, 2019
11th Annual Blue Ridge Pride Festival Volunteer Opportunity
Jul 27 all-day

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

Chow Chow Festival – September 12-15 Volunteer Opportunity
Jul 27 all-day
Asheville

Looking for a fun, enriching, and rewarding way to give back to the Asheville culinary scene? Chow Chow is calling on friendly, helpful, and professional individuals to help make the culinary event a successful one. Through a variety of events hosted by makers and talents from all over, it’s a great way for volunteers to network and have fun. Positions range from greeters to ticket scanners to chef assistants and more. Over 200 dedicated individuals will make up the Volunteer Program.

PubCorps is partnering with Chow Chow to sponsor the volunteer lounge to give volunteers a place to meet and interact with one another. Volunteers must be 21 years or older to serve, attend a one-hour training session in August, and complete special training for specific tasks.

To learn more about the Chow Chow volunteer requirements and application, visit here.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Jul 27 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Sunday, July 28, 2019
Chow Chow Festival – September 12-15 Volunteer Opportunity
Jul 28 all-day
Asheville

Looking for a fun, enriching, and rewarding way to give back to the Asheville culinary scene? Chow Chow is calling on friendly, helpful, and professional individuals to help make the culinary event a successful one. Through a variety of events hosted by makers and talents from all over, it’s a great way for volunteers to network and have fun. Positions range from greeters to ticket scanners to chef assistants and more. Over 200 dedicated individuals will make up the Volunteer Program.

PubCorps is partnering with Chow Chow to sponsor the volunteer lounge to give volunteers a place to meet and interact with one another. Volunteers must be 21 years or older to serve, attend a one-hour training session in August, and complete special training for specific tasks.

To learn more about the Chow Chow volunteer requirements and application, visit here.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Jul 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Monday, July 29, 2019
Chow Chow Festival – September 12-15 Volunteer Opportunity
Jul 29 all-day
Asheville

Looking for a fun, enriching, and rewarding way to give back to the Asheville culinary scene? Chow Chow is calling on friendly, helpful, and professional individuals to help make the culinary event a successful one. Through a variety of events hosted by makers and talents from all over, it’s a great way for volunteers to network and have fun. Positions range from greeters to ticket scanners to chef assistants and more. Over 200 dedicated individuals will make up the Volunteer Program.

PubCorps is partnering with Chow Chow to sponsor the volunteer lounge to give volunteers a place to meet and interact with one another. Volunteers must be 21 years or older to serve, attend a one-hour training session in August, and complete special training for specific tasks.

To learn more about the Chow Chow volunteer requirements and application, visit here.

Job Opening RiverLink is Growing!
Jul 29 all-day

We are writing to ask for your help to find the best candidates for an open Development Manager position. RiverLink is in the process of growing our organization to better meet the needs of our mission. This position will support us as an organization as we continue our good work, which includes the creation of more than five miles of greenways, four public parks and one Woodfin Whitewater Wave over the next 5 to 7 years.
We value teamwork and open communication, and look forward to finding the right person to boldly lead our fundraising efforts. Please help us if you or someone you know would be interested. See link here to our website for the full position details, as well as instructions on how to apply.
Thank you for sharing a passion for River revitalization!
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Jul 29 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Chow Chow Festival – September 12-15 Volunteer Opportunity
Jul 30 all-day
Asheville

Looking for a fun, enriching, and rewarding way to give back to the Asheville culinary scene? Chow Chow is calling on friendly, helpful, and professional individuals to help make the culinary event a successful one. Through a variety of events hosted by makers and talents from all over, it’s a great way for volunteers to network and have fun. Positions range from greeters to ticket scanners to chef assistants and more. Over 200 dedicated individuals will make up the Volunteer Program.

PubCorps is partnering with Chow Chow to sponsor the volunteer lounge to give volunteers a place to meet and interact with one another. Volunteers must be 21 years or older to serve, attend a one-hour training session in August, and complete special training for specific tasks.

To learn more about the Chow Chow volunteer requirements and application, visit here.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Jul 30 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Chow Chow Festival – September 12-15 Volunteer Opportunity
Jul 31 all-day
Asheville

Looking for a fun, enriching, and rewarding way to give back to the Asheville culinary scene? Chow Chow is calling on friendly, helpful, and professional individuals to help make the culinary event a successful one. Through a variety of events hosted by makers and talents from all over, it’s a great way for volunteers to network and have fun. Positions range from greeters to ticket scanners to chef assistants and more. Over 200 dedicated individuals will make up the Volunteer Program.

PubCorps is partnering with Chow Chow to sponsor the volunteer lounge to give volunteers a place to meet and interact with one another. Volunteers must be 21 years or older to serve, attend a one-hour training session in August, and complete special training for specific tasks.

To learn more about the Chow Chow volunteer requirements and application, visit here.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Jul 31 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Thursday, August 1, 2019
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 1 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Asheville residents review design concepts for Thomas Wolfe Cabin: 2 sessions
Aug 1 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Thomas Wolfe Cabin

Everyone is invited to join the City of Asheville and a design planning team to provide feedback on the vision for the Thomas Wolfe Cabin site in Oteen. The planning team has prepared two design concepts based on a site reconnaissance study and initial community input received this past spring. Now the City is ready to share those concepts with the community for additional feedback prior to finalizing the master plan.

Come review the design concepts at either of these two drop-in sessions:

  • 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 1, Recreation Park Conference Room, 72 Gashes Creek Road (across from the WNC Nature Center).
  • 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1, Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N. Market St.

In the summer of 1937, famous Asheville author Thomas Wolfe lived and worked in a cabin off of Azalea Road near Azalea Park. The City now owns the property and has stabilized it from further deterioration and will begin a master planning process for the cabin and surrounding property.

The master planning process is being undertaken as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the cabin, to allow time for the city to explore ideas for an adaptive reuse program consistent with the site’s history.

This is a master planning process only — no money has been set aside for site development.

One goal of the project is to rehabilitate the cabin and consider additional uses for the surrounding property that could make it a destination for residents and tourists. There will also be an assessment of the connectivity from the site to surrounding destinations, trails and the planned Swannanoa River Greenway. The master plan will also include recommendations for the rebuilding of a treehouse present on the site during Thomas Wolfe’s stay in the cabin.

Plant and Mushroom I.D. walk with Mason!
Aug 1 @ 5:15 pm – 7:15 pm
given upon registration

Go on a walk at the French Broad River Park with Mason and Enjoy Your Life! He is an experienced forager and wild foods teacher and will show you what kind of plants and mushrooms are growing around you, if they are edible, what they might teach us, and how they might be connected with the bigger picture of life on this beautiful planet, Earth.
Dress appropriately to walk and move around the park.
Bring a basket or bag and knife if you’d like to harvest some tasty edibles.
FYI we have found a mushroom on every plant walk to date, but there are no guarantees that we will find mushrooms!
Children are definitely welcome and encouraged!
Dogs are okay if well behaved.
I suggest bringing a notepad and pencil.
Having a camera/phone can help you remember what we identify on our walk.
You can take photos and video of plants and we ask that you might share them on the meet-up event page. Ask permission for photos of people.
Bring water if you need it.
Bring any medicine that you may need and bring ANYTHING you will need to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
Bring your curiosity and a willingness to learn and eat new things and I’ll see you there!

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 1 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Ponderers Cafe – Liberation Meet Up
Aug 1 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Kenilworth Presbyterian Church

Meet and greet at 6pm, Pondering starts at 6:30.

Please enter the church through the front door. There is ample parking on the street in front of the church. There will be a $2 per person offering for the use of the church facilities and I think this is very fair. This is in addition to any donation you may wish to give for the expenses of the meetup itself. Feel free to bring any reasonable food or drink for yourself or to share.

RSVPs go live every Friday at 5pm.

Friday, August 2, 2019
11th Annual Blue Ridge Pride Festival Volunteer Opportunity
Aug 2 all-day

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

Volunteer opportunity for LEAF
Aug 2 all-day
Downtown Asheville

 

LEAF Downtown AVL – August 2-3
It takes many hearts and hands to build an event like LEAF Downtown AVL and this is a key fundraiser for LEAF Schools & Streets LOCAL cultural arts education programs. It’s easy, fun and we need volunteers! . We are currently evolving the new Downtown Volunteer plan, so if you have ideas, email [email protected].

For more information, click here.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 2 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 2 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Saturday, August 3, 2019
11th Annual Blue Ridge Pride Festival Volunteer Opportunity
Aug 3 all-day

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

Lace up! Register Now for LEAF Art Dash 5K
Aug 3 all-day
Pack Square

RUN YOUR ASH OFF for Cultural Arts Education!
Your run (or walk) 100% supports LEAF Schools & Streets
Saturday, August 3rd @ 9am

Lace up your shoes for the LEAF ART DASH,
for an art filled family-friendly 5K in downtown Asheville.
Costumes Encouraged | Pets Welcome
Art Dash kicks off Saturday LEAF Downtown AVL festivities!

This 3.1 mi COURSE will travel through the city,
complete with live roaming Artists & interactive arts.
It feels like a LEAF Parade! 
#RunYourAshOff

Read Aloud to Children- Spread the Joy!
Aug 3 all-day
Buncombe County Libraries Various Locations

From Buncombe County Libraries:

Do you love to read? Do you like children? The Buncombe County Public Library’s Preschool Outreach Project (POP) is currently looking for volunteers. POP is an outreach service of the library, a program designed to bring the joy and excitement of books to children in child care centers. Our volunteers offer stories, songs, puppets and smiles to our youngest book lovers – children under the age of 5.

No formal experience is needed, just a strong commitment to both children and reading. Most volunteers spend approximately five hours per month on POP, reading twice a month at their assigned center. We ask that volunteers commit to participate with our program for one full school year. All story time materials are provided by the library.

All POP volunteers must participate in story time training and submit to a background check. The next training is Monday, Aug. 26.

Interested volunteers must complete a volunteer application before Aug. 19. Applications can be filled out here.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 3 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Sunday, August 4, 2019
60th Annual NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 4 all-day
The Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

For the last 60 years, Spruce Pine has welcomed rockhounds and gem and mineral enthusiasts to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.

Celebrating our Diamond Year!
August 1-4, 2019

One of the oldest & most popular mineral and gem shows in the country!

Admission $5 adults, $3 Seniors, Kids 10 & under free

Festival Times:
Thursday- Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.