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.
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
Program Launch and Expansions
Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.
The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.
2024 ESMF https://earlscruggsmusicfest.com/ Aug 30 – Sep 1, 2024 (Hours vary by day)
General Admission – $175
● Access to festival grounds, workshops, onsite activities, and secondary stage
● Children under age 12 are free with a paying adult
● Access to the floor of the International Arena at Flint Hill Stage
● May bring blankets or chairs for seating – limitations apply, see FAQs
Grandstand – $250
● Access to festival grounds, workshops, onsite activities, and secondary stage
● Access to the floor of the International Arena at Flint Hill Stage
● Children 3 and under are free with a paying adult
● Access to covered seating and concessions, including bars and washrooms, in the Grandstand
Scruggs Patron VIP – $450
● Access to festival grounds, workshops, onsite activities, and secondary stage
● Plus, access to designated VIP area on the International Arena floor
● Children 3 and under are free with a paying adult
● Includes dinner (deli sandwiches, chips, cookies, snacks), Two hour happy hour each day with access to a private bar, and washrooms on the second floor of the International Arena
● Exclusive ESMF merchandise item
● VIP Benefits apply only to the Flint Hill Stage (main)
Ridge VIP – $650
● Access to festival grounds, workshops, onsite activities, and secondary stage
● Plus, access to designated VIP area on the International Arena floor
● Children 3 and under are free with a paying adult
● Includes gourmet food service with tables and waiters on the third floor of International Arena, with balcony seating overlooking the Arena
● Private bars and washrooms in the Ridge VIP area
● Exclusive ESMF merchandise item
● VIP Benefits apply only to the Flint Hill Stage (main)
Bluegrass Cabana – $5,000
● Access for 8 to festival grounds, workshops, onsite activities, and secondary stage
● Private cabana on the floor of the International Arena, Includes private bar and food service
● Access to private washrooms
● Children 3 and under are free with a paying adult
● VIP Benefits apply only to the Flint Hill Stage (main)
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Jocelyn Kakavas will speak at the Asheville Parkinson’s Support Group meeting on September 3. Kakavas, a Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) ambassador for the Southeast and a member of the Foundation’s advancement team, will give a brief overview of MJFF’s role in the Parkinson’s community accompanied by a research update covering biomarker breakthroughs, current drugs up for regulatory approval, and drugs in the pipeline.
Kakavas will highlight the MJFF’s Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Launched in 2010, PPMI aims to validate biomarkers of Parkinson’s onset and progression. It expanded in 2020 to include more participants and sites. The initiative follows people with and without PD over time to understand disease progression, leading to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The Foundation shares its extensive data set and bio-sample library to support other studies and accelerate breakthroughs. The study has grown to over fifty international clinical sites and aims to increase participant numbers significantly.
Kakavas will talk about recent drug research advances, including drugs to improve mitochondrial function and targets surrounding alpha-synuclein aggregation which could slow or stop Parkinson’s progression.
She will share how members of the Asheville Parkinson’s Support Group can become involved in MJFF’s drug and therapy trials across the nation.
The Fox Foundation was founded in 2000 by actor Michael J. Fox. It is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressive research agenda and ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with the condition. The Foundation funds promising research opportunities worldwide, focusing on innovative projects that have the potential to make significant advancements in understanding and treating Parkinson’s disease. A portion of the presentation will allow for allotted time for attendees to ask questions of clarity or information not covered in this presentation.
Date and Time: On Tue, 03 Sep 2024 at 10:00 – Tue, 03 Sep 2024 at 12:00
Venue details: Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, North Carolina, 28805, United States
Category: Community | Local / Community
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Sing songs that celebrate Peace & Community, with Resident Teaching Artist Melissa McKinney. Sing, play, drum, and dance while learning songs from the Justice Choir Songbook.
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
$15 drop-in class
All ages welcome.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
Program Launch and Expansions
Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.
The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.
Join the Asheville Symphony for our fourth annual Symphony in the Park pops concert, presented by Givens Communities! You’ll hear everything from classical to pop hits to Broadway in this free concert held in downtown Asheville’s Pack Square Park. Featuring works by Rossini, Strauss, Bizet, as well as music from Dune and Superman, alongside Queen and Broadway hits, this concert is perfect for the whole family!
This year, Symphony in the Park is part of the Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL, a brand new festival taking place September 6 – 7, 2024. Check out Boomtown FestAVL at www.boomtownfestavl.com.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
Program Launch and Expansions
Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.
The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.
Baker Exhibit Center
Where can you see a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, or a longhorn beetle with antennae more than twelve feet across? The answers can be found amongst the enormous sculptures on display in BUGS: Outside the Box!
Scientifically exact, with a keen attention to detail, the exhibit features a virtual army of giant bugs with one aim in mind – educating the public and shining a light on museum collections, taxonomy, and the power of magnification.
Among the highlights of the exhibit is a rarely seen long-arm beetle more than ten feet in height, a collection of heavily armored stag beetles with impressive jaws and horns as long as your arm, and an insight into the amazing intricacy of the physiology of each insect on display. Alongside these impressive works of art is the insect in question represented at life size, and detailed information on the life habits, location, and other facts unique to each insect and its family.
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
Sing songs that celebrate Peace & Community, with Resident Teaching Artist Melissa McKinney. Sing, play, drum, and dance while learning songs from the Justice Choir Songbook.
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
$15 drop-in class
All ages welcome.
Today, the Herbal Witch may not always live close to the forest, but you likely will find them there, working with the elements and gathering plants and remedies. Herbal Witches have long had a deep love for the plants, roots, seeds, stars and stones and know the medicinal, spiritual and healing properties of all that surrounds them. The wise Herbal Witch enlists nature to heal ailments of the body, mind and of the spirit. They have a remedy for everything under the sun and have likely prepared it by the light of the moon.
Join us in remembering the Herbal Witch within. This weekend course was designed to walk each participant through what it is to practice as an Herbal Witch. Beginning with the History of worldwide Green Witch Traditions, working with the directions & elements to create powerful spells, prayers, magic, rituals, ceremony and song. Deepening our relationships to Mother Nature and the magical and medicinal herbs She provides.
Hosted by Green Witch Lupo Passero & Friends
Welcome to HauntFest, where we summon the spirit of horror and Halloween all year round! We are SUPER excited to be kicking off our third event, HauntFest – A September to Dismember. Immerse yourself in the macabre delights of live music, art vendors, spine-chilling entertainment, bewitching activities such as a to DIE for haunted trail into the dark forest, and more. This fiendish affair beckons dark spirits, midnight wanderers, witchy souls, and the eternally restless. Perfect for oddity lovers and Halloween enthusiasts. It’s a dead man’s party!
Established in May 2023, HauntFest has risen as a leading horror festival business, captivating audiences with its spine-chilling spectacles and atmosphere. From bewitching entertainment to macabre vendors and haunted attractions, HauntFest offers an unparalleled immersion into the realm of terror. Experience spooktacular live performances, encounter creatures both mythical and monstrous, and traverse unhallowed grounds where every corner hides a new fun and exciting horror. Unlike other Halloween conventions, HauntFest prides itself in highlighting the arts through a weekend celebration, where patrons can wear their monster skins and join in on the dead man’s party. HauntFest invites you to embrace the darkness that lurks within, but beware: once you enter, there’s no turning back…
HauntFest – A September to Dismember
WHEN: Friday September 13th – Sunday September 15th, 2PM – 12AM
WHERE: Lutheridge (2049 Upper Laurel Dr. Arden, NC 28704)
Lutheridge’s cabins, pavilions, and recreational areas make for a wonderful venue with shade and picnic tables. As you enter, you can monster mash to the KILLER live bands in the Bat Cave and peruse the macabre vendors in the field across. Ghouls will slink freely around the festival. Behind the Bat Cave, you can snag some “boos” at the Bar and enter the Haunted Trail. At the center of the festival, enjoy interactive activities and solo artists by the lake – you can even take a canoe or paddle boat out if you dare! Bring close-toed shoes, as the ground may be uneven in some areas.
LODGING:
Summer camp perks! Visit the “Lodging” page for details on cabin rentals, treetop tents, and campsites. Wake up and be right on site and ready to join the party!
TICKETS (Starting at $20) : https://www.hauntfest.net/buy-tickets
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.hauntfest.net/
*COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED*
We are so excited to bring HauntFest to North Carolina and we hope to see you there!
Today, the Herbal Witch may not always live close to the forest, but you likely will find them there, working with the elements and gathering plants and remedies. Herbal Witches have long had a deep love for the plants, roots, seeds, stars and stones and know the medicinal, spiritual and healing properties of all that surrounds them. The wise Herbal Witch enlists nature to heal ailments of the body, mind and of the spirit. They have a remedy for everything under the sun and have likely prepared it by the light of the moon.
Join us in remembering the Herbal Witch within. This weekend course was designed to walk each participant through what it is to practice as an Herbal Witch. Beginning with the History of worldwide Green Witch Traditions, working with the directions & elements to create powerful spells, prayers, magic, rituals, ceremony and song. Deepening our relationships to Mother Nature and the magical and medicinal herbs She provides.
Hosted by Green Witch Lupo Passero & Friends
Join us for Fae Nectar’s biggest and most musical Festival yet, the inaugural CAROLINA CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL this September!
A showcase for the rich and diverse traditions of Celtic Music, the festival will bring nationally renowned musicians to our stage for a full day of live music, Celtic entertainment, Irish sessions, and an incredible evening of lawn dancing at our Scottish Ceilidh! And our festival lawn will also be host to Celtic artisans, vendors, and food trucks, and don’t forget about the fine libations available in our old-world Fantasy Tavern!
Check out our full festival schedule at https://www.carolinacelticmusic.com/ and purchase tickets at our event page
Let us all come together and make our beautiful hills ring with the sounds of Celtic music and hearty cheers! Sláinte!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
Program Launch and Expansions
Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.
The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.
We can’t wait to yet again celebrate Western North Carolina’s vibrant food and farming community with interactive demonstrations, toe-tapping music, tasty craft beverages and a community potluck. Stay tuned for more information – you won’t want to miss this fun event!
Bullington Gardens’ Fall Plant Sale is happening from September 12-14 from 9 am – 4:00 pm. Bullington has long been well known for growing unique and healthy plants. This year is no exception. The sale will feature an impressive selection of locally grown native plants, fall perennials, shrubs, trees, and cool-season annuals, all carefully chosen to thrive in our local climate. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go directly towards supporting the ongoing operation of Bullington Gardens, a beloved non-profit botanical garden that has been a cornerstone of the Hendersonville community for 35 years. With a focus on horticultural therapy and environmental education, Bullington Gardens plays a vital role in connecting people with nature and promoting well-being through the power of plants.
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Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.