This is the 10th year for Ooh La La Curiosity Market that is an artist’s market that takes place in Pritchard Park, located in the center of beautiful downtown Asheville and will showcase the work of local artists.

Taking place over 14 Saturdays throughout Summer and every Saturday in October.

Ooh La La will feature works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters, up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. You will also enjoy three different musicians performing throughout the day.

Ooh La La is also a fundraiser for Animal Haven of Asheville, a no kill shelter.

Verner Center for Early Learning is a nonprofit agency providing high quality, affordable early care and education to children birth to five years of age throughout Buncombe County. The mission of Verner Center is to foster holistic learning environments where young children and families thrive. The organization embraces a philosophy that includes excellence in early childhood practices, diversity among children and families, and partnerships and collaboration with families and communities. This philosophy is demonstrated through provision of high quality education, family services, health and nutrition services, and professional development for teachers.

We are currently looking for compassionate volunteers to support our experiential garden.

Volunteer Opportunity Includes:

• Pulling weeds
• Cleaning out garden beds
• Prepping new garden beds
• Building small projects
• Mowing
• Weed eating
• Laying mulch
• Watering

Volunteer Requirements:

• Respond to the shift
• Comfortable working in various weather conditions
• Comfortable bending, stooping, twisting
• Ability to stand for 1-2 hours at a time

NOCtoberfest, NOC’s annual fall family fun event returns!

Enjoy leaf season in the Smoky Mountains at Nantahala Outdoor Center’s annual NOCtoberfest event on October 22^nd, 2022.

This free, family favorite celebration offers activities, kid friendly live music, and prizes for all ages to enjoy.

The most anticipated part of the NOCtoberfest celebration is NOC’s Great Pumpkin Pursuit, a free for all dash through Nantahala Falls. Over 400 numbered pumpkins are tossed throughout the Nantahala’s grand finale rapid as paddlers frantically dash to collect as many of the bobbing pumpkins as possible. Contestants are welcome to bring their own boats, rent them on site, or stand along the riverbanks with a net. Registration is between Noon and 2:00 at NOC’s Big Wesser Riverside Pub. Prizes are awarded via raffle: more pumpkins equal more chances to win!

The Great Pumpkin Pursuit has become a popular spectator event. Up to 75+ paddlers hurtle through the Falls flip, swim, collide and bumble their way down the river there collecting pumpkins. Some spectators are asked to help distribute the pumpkins for the paddlers by tossing them in hard-to-reach places. The exciting event only takes minutes to play out, so spectators should plan on arriving early. The competitors meeting will be at 2pm, so paddlers should be going through the Falls at 2:30pm.

Other event highlights include:

• Trick or treating across campus
• 12-4pm Pumpkin Decorating: NOC supplies pumpkins, as well as decorating and kid friendly carving materials. Every child wins a prize after presenting their works of art to the judging panel.
• 1pm Costume Contests: Dress to impress the judges! Costume categories are Kids, Couples, Most in
  Character and Scariest.
• 3pm-6pm Live Music: Enjoy a bonfire and live music at Big Wesser. S’mores included!
• Family Photo Fun with River the Otter, Fall scenery with the River as the backdrop, and more.
• Tarot/Zoltar/Palm Reading

The Cradle of Forestry is excited to offer visitors their incredibly outdoor drama, “The Legend of Tommy Hodges,” on Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22. Show times for both evenings will be at 6:30 and 8:00pm and will be limited to a total of 75 participants per showing. 

  During this unique and exciting outdoor performance, audiences will travel back in time to the year 1901 and hear yarns about the legendary Tommy Hodges, a student of the Biltmore Forest School who went missing one autumn night. Audiences will be led around the Biltmore Campus Trail by different characters from the play and watch as the story unfolds around them from all sides. In addition, audience members are invited to dress up in Biltmore Forest School-era clothing (early 1900’s) to fully immerse themselves in the event and take part in the story. 

The show is a one-mile-long experience, as the audience walks the well-lit trail to see the entire play and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The story is better suitable for ages six and up. Audience members are asked to dress warmly, wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a flashlight, and although we love our pets as much as you, we ask that you please leave them at home. Ponchos and other rain gear are welcome if the weather is drizzly, but please leave umbrellas at home so everyone has a chance to see the show unobstructed. 

by William Shakespeare Directed by Glenna Grant Opening 9/23/2022 – 10/22/2022

The Cradle of Forestry is excited to offer visitors their incredibly outdoor drama, “The Legend of Tommy Hodges,” on Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22. Show times for both evenings will be at 6:30 and 8:00pm and will be limited to a total of 75 participants per showing. 

  During this unique and exciting outdoor performance, audiences will travel back in time to the year 1901 and hear yarns about the legendary Tommy Hodges, a student of the Biltmore Forest School who went missing one autumn night. Audiences will be led around the Biltmore Campus Trail by different characters from the play and watch as the story unfolds around them from all sides. In addition, audience members are invited to dress up in Biltmore Forest School-era clothing (early 1900’s) to fully immerse themselves in the event and take part in the story. 

The show is a one-mile-long experience, as the audience walks the well-lit trail to see the entire play and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The story is better suitable for ages six and up. Audience members are asked to dress warmly, wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a flashlight, and although we love our pets as much as you, we ask that you please leave them at home. Ponchos and other rain gear are welcome if the weather is drizzly, but please leave umbrellas at home so everyone has a chance to see the show unobstructed. 

Jazz Sunday at One World Brewing West is a modern jazz jam held every Sunday afternoon from 1-4pm. Previously known as Jazz Monday, the jam has been running non stop since July, 2018 at the West Asheville brewery and is hosted weekly by The Fully Vaccinated Jazz Trio, consisting of Ray Ring on guitar, Jason DeCristofaro on drums, piano and vibraphone, and Connor Law on bass. Jazz Sunday typically features a guest artist for a short set and then welcomes jazz musicians of all levels to sit in for the remainder of the afternoon on One World’s spacious outdoor stage.

This relaxing, easy-paced adventure takes you along the French Broad River and the estate’s lush agricultural fields. Your three-to five-mile spin over a combination of flat paved trails, gravel-packed roads, and dirt trails includes occasional stops where your guide will share intriguing tidbits about the Vanderbilts, their guests, and the estate’s natural history.

Advance reservations are required. To make reservations for this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or an overnight stay booked at Village Hotel, The Inn, or Cottages on Biltmore Estate.

Mountain & Comfort Bikes are available. A limited number of trailers and tag-alongs are available for younger children.

Verner Center for Early Learning is a nonprofit agency providing high quality, affordable early care and education to children birth to five years of age throughout Buncombe County. The mission of Verner Center is to foster holistic learning environments where young children and families thrive. The organization embraces a philosophy that includes excellence in early childhood practices, diversity among children and families, and partnerships and collaboration with families and communities. This philosophy is demonstrated through provision of high quality education, family services, health and nutrition services, and professional development for teachers.

We are currently looking for compassionate volunteers to support our experiential garden.

Volunteer Opportunity Includes:

• Pulling weeds
• Cleaning out garden beds
• Prepping new garden beds
• Building small projects
• Mowing
• Weed eating
• Laying mulch
• Watering

Volunteer Requirements:

• Respond to the shift
• Comfortable working in various weather conditions
• Comfortable bending, stooping, twisting
• Ability to stand for 1-2 hours at a time

This relaxing, easy-paced adventure takes you along the French Broad River and the estate’s lush agricultural fields. Your three-to five-mile spin over a combination of flat paved trails, gravel-packed roads, and dirt trails includes occasional stops where your guide will share intriguing tidbits about the Vanderbilts, their guests, and the estate’s natural history.

Advance reservations are required. To make reservations for this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or an overnight stay booked at Village Hotel, The Inn, or Cottages on Biltmore Estate.

Mountain & Comfort Bikes are available. A limited number of trailers and tag-alongs are available for younger children.

Verner Center for Early Learning is a nonprofit agency providing high quality, affordable early care and education to children birth to five years of age throughout Buncombe County. The mission of Verner Center is to foster holistic learning environments where young children and families thrive. The organization embraces a philosophy that includes excellence in early childhood practices, diversity among children and families, and partnerships and collaboration with families and communities. This philosophy is demonstrated through provision of high quality education, family services, health and nutrition services, and professional development for teachers.

We are currently looking for compassionate volunteers to support our experiential garden.

Volunteer Opportunity Includes:

• Pulling weeds
• Cleaning out garden beds
• Prepping new garden beds
• Building small projects
• Mowing
• Weed eating
• Laying mulch
• Watering

Volunteer Requirements:

• Respond to the shift
• Comfortable working in various weather conditions
• Comfortable bending, stooping, twisting
• Ability to stand for 1-2 hours at a time

This relaxing, easy-paced adventure takes you along the French Broad River and the estate’s lush agricultural fields. Your three-to five-mile spin over a combination of flat paved trails, gravel-packed roads, and dirt trails includes occasional stops where your guide will share intriguing tidbits about the Vanderbilts, their guests, and the estate’s natural history.

Advance reservations are required. To make reservations for this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or an overnight stay booked at Village Hotel, The Inn, or Cottages on Biltmore Estate.

Mountain & Comfort Bikes are available. A limited number of trailers and tag-alongs are available for younger children.

Visiting Asheville soon and looking for a fun way to fill your Friday night? The Asheville Drum Circle is a tradition unique to the area. While locals usually begin the beating of drums, tourists are welcome to join, dance, or simply take in the incredible atmosphere at any point.

If you’re looking for things to do in the area during your stay, this is a must! Here’s everything you should know about the Drum Circle.

The Asheville Drum Circle is a free event that’s open to all.