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, August 18, 2023
UNC Asheville Chancellor Search Listening Sessions
Aug 18 @ 5:00 pm
UNCA

Participate in upcoming listening sessions for the Chancellor search. There are two opportunities to attend:

  1. Virtually on Friday, August 18 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom (register here); or
  2. In-person on Tuesday, August 22 from 5 to 6 p.m. in Mountain View Room of Sherrill Center.

During these sessions, you will be asked to elaborate on the following:

  • Top three priorities for advancing UNC Asheville
  • Top three current strengths or “points of pride”
  • Top three leadership characteristics and qualifications of the next chancellor

You can also submit your thoughts through an anonymous survey linked here.

Your input is valuable in this process. On behalf of the President of the UNC System and our Chancellor Search Advisory Committee, we look forward to hearing from you during these listening sessions.

Music on Main
Aug 18 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Downtown Hendersonville

The Friday Night Music series will present the familiar 50’s and 60’s
classic rock and beach music from a host of different bands. Food vendors like Babbles Ice
Cream, Blue Ridge Hospitality and Eggs Up Grill will provide a some spice. The Carolina
Mountain Car Club will participate as in years past.

Friday Night Concerts
Super 60’s June 9
Gotcha Groove June 16
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere June 23
Marsha Morgan June 30
Shades of Gray July 7
Thomas Brown July 14
Emporium July 21
Johnnie Blackwell Band July 28
Rock and Roll Reunion August 4
208 Army Band August 11
Night Moves Band August 18

Saturday, August 19, 2023
Feedback Needed: Take Buncombe County’s Primary Election Early Voting Survey
Aug 19 all-day
online

Your voice matters about how the 2024 Primary Election’s Early Voting will be shaped. We want your feedback on the proposed times and locations for Early Voting via our six-question survey. The Buncombe County Board of Elections will take feedback into consideration when determining the locations and weekend hours for Early Voting.

For additional information about the proposed Early Voting dates, times, and locations, read below. And please take the survey here. Thank you for your input, we appreciate your feedback. The Board of Elections will meet on Tuesday, Sep. 12 to discuss public input of the Early Voting plan for the primary election and adopt it at the Oct. 17 meeting. After that, Buncombe County will publicize the finalized locations and hours on our website, through media partners, social media, and other platforms.

Proposed Early Voting information

Early Voting Period:
Feb. 15- March 2

Proposed locations
Black Mountain Library – 105 N. Dougherty St, Black Mountain 28711

East Asheville Library – 3 Avon Rd, Asheville 28805

Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sand Hill Rd, Candler 28715

Fairview Library – 1 Taylor Rd, Fairview 28730

Leicester Community Center – 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester 28748

North Asheville Location – TBD

South Buncombe Library – 260 Overlook Rd, Asheville 28803

2nd South Asheville Location – TBD

Weaverville Community Center – 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville 28787

Wesley Grant Southside Center (in lieu of BOE) – 285 Livingston St, Asheville 28801

West Asheville Library – 942 Haywood Rd, Asheville 28806

Proposed hours
Please note that voting hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, and on the last Saturday (March 2) hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,as mandated by state law. The Board of Elections can set weekend hours and determine the number of early voting sites.

Proposed weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 17

Saturday, February 24

Sunday, February  25

Grassroots Arts Program Grant
Aug 19 all-day
online

Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local arts councils. The Grassroots Grant Program is made possible by the Grassroots Arts Program of North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, and Buncombe County Government.

The Grassroot Arts Program provides programmatic and operating support for nonprofit arts organizations in Buncombe County. Grants for FY23 will range from $2,500-7,500 dollars depending on the size of the organization. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2022.

Multicultural programs and organizations located outside of the City of Asheville will receive special consideration. To be considered a multicultural organization the mission of the organization must be focused on supporting African American, Asian American, Latino, or Native American cultures. For a program to be considered multicultural it must be conducted by artists, ensembles, or organizations of color.

 

Green Drinks online
Aug 19 all-day
online

Green Drinks lives on every Saturday as The Free & Open University of Eco-Sustainability on Facebook

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
Aug 19 all-day
Extension Office

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

Homeowner Grant Program Inquiry Process Open
Aug 19 all-day
online

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Buncombe County is excited to announce the inquiry process for the 2023 Homeowner Grant Program opens Aug. 1. This program is officially in its third year, and qualified homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs. The website buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant will start accepting inquiries Aug. 1-Sept. 30, or homeowners can call (828) 250-5500. You must call or submit an inquiry to determine eligibility.

You may qualify for up to $300 in unincorporated Buncombe County, and up to $500 in City of Asheville. Please note that applicants who received grants last year will need to re-apply.

Through this program, residents who own residential property in Buncombe County that they have lived in as their primary residence for at least five years and who earn at or less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as a household may be eligible to participate.

If eligible, grantees may choose to have grant funds applied to their property tax bill and/or paid and applied to other housing-related obligations such as housing costs, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance. Payments are made directly to the source of the approved bill. Payments will not be made directly to individuals. There are several new aspects to this year’s program including new eligibility requirements, and now mobile-home owners may receive the grants.

  • You must have owned and lived in your home for 5 years or more
  • Your home must by your primary and only residence
  • Your household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI)
  • Your household cannot already be receiving tax deferment assistance like elderly/disabled, or Veterans exemptions.
  • You must not have more than $60,000 in liquid resources (for example: your cash on hand, checking & savings accounts combined, or other investments available to you within 7 days)

The inquiry process will be open through Sept. 30. Eligible homeowners can submit an inquiry at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant after Aug. 1 or call (828) 250-5500 to start the application process. Phone support is available in any language. Please note that we anticipate a high volume of calls and inquiries at the onset, and it may take a few weeks for a case manager to get back with you.

“If you think you may qualify, but you aren’t sure, please give our team a call,” says Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “We know there are a number of unique circumstances, and our staff will work with homeowners to help find solutions.”

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Aug 19 all-day
online

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Food Scraps Drop Off: Buncombe County Landfill
Aug 19 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in two locations for all Buncombe County residents.  This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin?  Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

 

Locations

Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center

85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander

    • Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

    • Dawn – Dusk

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

    • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

    • Library open hours
Food Scraps Drop Off: Stephens-Lee Recreation Center
Aug 19 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in

two locations for all Buncombe County residents.  This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin?  Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

 

Locations

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

    • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

    • Dawn – Dusk

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Library open hours

 

Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander

        • Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
        • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
WILD Excursions Free Campout For Middle and High Schoolers
Aug 19 @ 8:45 am – 12:00 pm
Buncombe County Soil & Water

Join us and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for an overnight camping adventure in this special ecosystem. We’ll explore the sights and help with work to protect the area’s many endangered plant species. This outdoor education experience for middle and high school students is FREE!

Meet: Buncombe County Agricultural and Land Resources Office, 49 Mount Carmel Rd. Asheville, NC 28806

Bring: water and lunch, sunscreen/bug spray, closed-toe shoes

Cost: FREE!

 

East Asheville Cluster Annual Picnic Brunch
Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Oakley/South Asheville Library

Come meet fellow Democrats, eat some good food and hear some interesting speakers including State Senator Julie Mayfield and Distrct 11 second chair Kristen Robinson.

Any interested East Asheville Democrats are welcome to attend.

Food Scraps Drop Off: West Asheville Library
Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
West Asheville Library

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in

two locations for all Buncombe County residents.  This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin?  Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

 

Locations

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Library open hours

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

    • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

    • Dawn – Dusk

 

Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander

        • Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
        • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
History Hour: The Untold Stories of PARI
Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Lord Auditorium - Pack Memorial Library

Join the Asheville Museum of History Saturday, August 19 at 10am at Pack Memorial Library or via Zoom as we bring you this free event in partnership with Buncombe County Special Collections. This program airs live and will be recorded.

For six decades, Western North Carolinians have asked the question, “What are those big satellite dishes doing behind that chain link fence?” In the early years of the site near Rosman, NASA gave public tours of the antennas it used to track space satellites. When the defense department took over, the tours stopped. Signs were posted that read, “Unauthorized Entry Prohibited,” and armed guards patrolled the site. Wild myths took root; underground tunnels held nuclear missiles. The site was a submarine base. A city built underground held captive space aliens. Then suddenly, the DoD departed. New owners dusted off the satellite dishes and pointed them into deepest space. Public tours at the new Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute were reestablished and programs were created for a brand new mission: science education. Now author Craig Gralley tells PARI’s full story.

Copies of Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute: An Untold History of Spacemen and Spies are available for purchase at this event as well!

 

About the Speaker:

Craig Gralley, a former CIA senior executive, served as an analyst, manager and chief speechwriter for three agency directors. He is now a freelance writer and author of Hall of Mirrors: Virginia Hall—America’s Greatest Spy of World War II, a Kirkus Reviews, “Best Book.” His work has been published in the Washington PostWorld War II MagazineElan, and The Sun, among others. Craig graduated with honors from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and holds master’s degrees from Georgetown University (government) and Johns Hopkins University (writing). When he’s not writing, Craig enjoys running and adventure travel with his wife, Janet. Their son, Will, is a business owner and DJ in the Washington, D.C. area. For more information about Craig and his work, visit: www.craiggralley.com.

Tickets: This event is free, but donations are accepted afterward. These donations are placed in the Community Fund for the Asheville Museum of History, which allows us to offer tickets to other events at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

 

Viewing: Registrants will receive a confirmation email with the physical address as well as Zoom link which can be used to view the program remotely. The event will also be recorded and later available on our website.

 

Summer Cycle Riding in Color: BIPOC + Asheville on Bikes
Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
New Belgium Brewing Company

Summer Cycle Schedule

Riding in Color: BIPOC Affinity Schedule

10:00 AM:
Summer Cycle Check In

10:30 AM:
Summer Cycle Begins

11:30 AM:
Summer Cycle Returns

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM:
Pop-Up Bike Park

Asheville on Bikes: Open Afternoon Schedule

2:00 PM – 7:00 PM:
Pop-Up Bicycle Park

3:00 PM:
Summer Cycle Check In

3:30 PM:
Summer Cycle Begins

4:30 PM – 7:00 PM:
Post Ride Silliness & Pop-Up Bicycle Park

*The morning affinity program is for individuals and families that identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color.

The Summer Cycle includes the pop-up bike park sponsored by Kid Cycle Club and three route options which can be previewed and downloaded to your device via the Summer Cycle Ride With GPS Event Page. Each route features an infrastructure project that AoB is influencing.

The Routes:

  1. Cruiser: (4 miles) A mostly level tour of the River Arts District featuring the Wilma Dykeman Greenway, protected and traditional bike lanes. The route rolls by the French Broad River West: AVL Unpaved project area.
  2. Main Ride: (13 miles) Includes the Cruiser plus active city and slow neighborhood streets. The route rolls by both the Bacoate Branch: AVL Unpaved & College Patton Complete Street project areas.
  3. Ride More: (17 miles) Includes the Main Ride and features a climb through North Asheville before descending back into the River Arts District. The route rolls along the new Merrimon Ave bike lanes and street calming project.
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Aug 19 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

AMCHC Health Fair + Ribbon Cutting for New Dale Fell Office
Aug 19 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
AMCHC

To Celebrate Community Health Center Week and the Official Ribbon Cutting for our New Dale Fell Center, AMCHC is holding a Health Fair on 08/19 from 11AM to 3PM. Please join us for an afternoon of entertainment, education, and food to help introduce our new health center to the Asheville community.

Toybox’s (mostly) Monthly Puppetry Series
Aug 19 @ 11:00 am
The Magnetic Theatre

Toybox Theatre, in collaboration with The Magnetic Theatre, presents a new puppetry series for ALL AGES. This new series will feature original works by acclaimed award-winning puppeteer and clown Toybox, and will bring some of the best puppeteers in the nation as special guests!

Toybox Theatre has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast with their unique brand of humor and art for over 20 years! Garnishing many “fan favorite” and “funniest show” awards, Toybox has also received an UNIMA Citation for Excellence in the Art of Puppetry, and funding from The Jim Henson Foundation.

AVL Women in Trades: Member Host- Gathering
Aug 19 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
14 Buchanan Rd, · Asheville, NC

Welcome female identified people who work in traditionally male industries. Come meet other rockstar women in the trades. This will be a relaxed informal meet and greet. Come share your knowledge, connections and encouragement.

This event is hosted at a Members home to introduce everyone to a new wellness space she’s creating.

She’ll introduce us all to PEMF, which is an intriguing wellness modality that many have never heard of, each person will have a chance to demo it.

This is an afternoon that’s meant to relax and get to know each other in a casual environment. Light drinks and snacks will be provided.

Create and Connect: Making Friends While Creating Art
Aug 19 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Focal Point Coworking

Share an art making adventure in a relaxed, inspiring, and nurturing environment. Feel supported as you create a one-of-a-kind painting that you will be proud of. A fun interactive approach will set the stage for meeting new friends, enjoying great conversations, and digging into your creative spirit.
Hosted by Blue Ridge member, Cynthia, a Teaching Eco Artist, who has hosted gatherings at her studio in Weaverville. Cynthia’s classes

August event theme: Fun with Pet Portraits!

You bring a photo and Cynthia will bring all the materials and guidance you’ll need to create an artwork to celebrate your friend. Beginner Friendly!! The focus is on FUN!
$30 covers all the materials, and simple refreshments. (Cash, Venmo)

Downtown and West Asheville Democratic Party Picnic
Aug 19 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Carrier Park Shelter

Let’s get Democrats together for some summer fun before we start organizing for the 2024 elections! We are looking forward to lots of good food, music and plenty of lively conversations!

We will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, including veggie options- please bring a side dish, but come even if you don’t have time to prepare one! We’ll have a DJ and a chance to get to know one another in fun, informal ways. We’ll start making plans to GOTV for the 2024 elections.

We’re inviting Democrats who live in FIFTEEN precincts: 1.1, 2.1, 8.2, 8.3, 10.1, 11.11, 12.1, 13.1, 14.2, 14.3, 15.1, 16.2, 26.1, 42.1, and 43.2. See below if you don’t know your precinct number but you know your neighborhood polling location! If you’re not sure which precinct you live in, come anyway!

DOWNTOWN Cluster Precincts voted in 2022 at Shiloh, Montford, Hillcrest, Klondyke, Stephens-Lee, Senior Opportunity Center, and Wesley Grant Center WEST ASHEVILLE Cluster precincts voted in 2022 at Haw Fletcher School, Calvary Baptist Church, W. Asheville Rec. Center, Land of Sky Regional Council, Lucy Herring Elementary School, W. Asheville Library, St. George’s Episcopal Church, Emma Elementary School, and Johnston School

Shindig on the Green
Aug 19 @ 7:00 pm
Pack Square Park

The 57th season of Shindig on the Green, a free event in the heart of downtown Asheville with a stage show and informal jam sessions, takes place on Saturday evenings July 1 through August 26, 2023.

Locals and visitors alike come together at downtown’s Pack Square Park “along about sundown,” or at 7:00 pm for those who wear a watch, and continues until 10:00 pm. Concessions are available! The remaining Shindig on the Green events will be held on July 1, 8, 15, 22 and August 12, 19, 26, 2023.

The stage show takes place on the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, named for the founder of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Since the outdoor event’s inception in 1967, hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the region and throughout the world have shared and enjoyed the rich traditional music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this outdoor setting.

Shindig on the Green remains a free event due in part to net proceeds from ticket sales to the nation’s longest continually running festival, the granddaddy of all festivals, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.

Sunday, August 20, 2023
18th Annual Come to Leicester Artist Studio Tour
Aug 20 all-day
Leicester Community Center

For the 18th year in a row, artists in this small community will open their studios to the public for the annual Come to Leicester Studio Tour. This free, self-guided event is held every third weekend in August, with this year’s tour dates being August 19th and 20th, 10 AM to 5PM each day.

Visitors choose their own tour stops using a printed brochure with a full-color map of the area, with bold signs directing to the individual studios. The tour route travels through some of the most scenic rural countryside in Western North Carolina. Along the way, visitors can view beautiful, hand-crafted work and meet the artists who create it. The variety of arts and crafts on the tour includes brooms, pottery, paintings, iron work, woodworking, jewelry, fiber, mosaic, enamel, and mixed media. Local food and wine-tasting add to the experience of the day! Visit our website to print a map and see all the artists. http://cometoleicester.org

Feedback Needed: Take Buncombe County’s Primary Election Early Voting Survey
Aug 20 all-day
online

Your voice matters about how the 2024 Primary Election’s Early Voting will be shaped. We want your feedback on the proposed times and locations for Early Voting via our six-question survey. The Buncombe County Board of Elections will take feedback into consideration when determining the locations and weekend hours for Early Voting.

For additional information about the proposed Early Voting dates, times, and locations, read below. And please take the survey here. Thank you for your input, we appreciate your feedback. The Board of Elections will meet on Tuesday, Sep. 12 to discuss public input of the Early Voting plan for the primary election and adopt it at the Oct. 17 meeting. After that, Buncombe County will publicize the finalized locations and hours on our website, through media partners, social media, and other platforms.

Proposed Early Voting information

Early Voting Period:
Feb. 15- March 2

Proposed locations
Black Mountain Library – 105 N. Dougherty St, Black Mountain 28711

East Asheville Library – 3 Avon Rd, Asheville 28805

Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sand Hill Rd, Candler 28715

Fairview Library – 1 Taylor Rd, Fairview 28730

Leicester Community Center – 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester 28748

North Asheville Location – TBD

South Buncombe Library – 260 Overlook Rd, Asheville 28803

2nd South Asheville Location – TBD

Weaverville Community Center – 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville 28787

Wesley Grant Southside Center (in lieu of BOE) – 285 Livingston St, Asheville 28801

West Asheville Library – 942 Haywood Rd, Asheville 28806

Proposed hours
Please note that voting hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, and on the last Saturday (March 2) hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,as mandated by state law. The Board of Elections can set weekend hours and determine the number of early voting sites.

Proposed weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 17

Saturday, February 24

Sunday, February  25

Grassroots Arts Program Grant
Aug 20 all-day
online

Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local arts councils. The Grassroots Grant Program is made possible by the Grassroots Arts Program of North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, and Buncombe County Government.

The Grassroot Arts Program provides programmatic and operating support for nonprofit arts organizations in Buncombe County. Grants for FY23 will range from $2,500-7,500 dollars depending on the size of the organization. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2022.

Multicultural programs and organizations located outside of the City of Asheville will receive special consideration. To be considered a multicultural organization the mission of the organization must be focused on supporting African American, Asian American, Latino, or Native American cultures. For a program to be considered multicultural it must be conducted by artists, ensembles, or organizations of color.

 

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
Aug 20 all-day
Extension Office

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

Homeowner Grant Program Inquiry Process Open
Aug 20 all-day
online

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Buncombe County is excited to announce the inquiry process for the 2023 Homeowner Grant Program opens Aug. 1. This program is officially in its third year, and qualified homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs. The website buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant will start accepting inquiries Aug. 1-Sept. 30, or homeowners can call (828) 250-5500. You must call or submit an inquiry to determine eligibility.

You may qualify for up to $300 in unincorporated Buncombe County, and up to $500 in City of Asheville. Please note that applicants who received grants last year will need to re-apply.

Through this program, residents who own residential property in Buncombe County that they have lived in as their primary residence for at least five years and who earn at or less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as a household may be eligible to participate.

If eligible, grantees may choose to have grant funds applied to their property tax bill and/or paid and applied to other housing-related obligations such as housing costs, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance. Payments are made directly to the source of the approved bill. Payments will not be made directly to individuals. There are several new aspects to this year’s program including new eligibility requirements, and now mobile-home owners may receive the grants.

  • You must have owned and lived in your home for 5 years or more
  • Your home must by your primary and only residence
  • Your household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI)
  • Your household cannot already be receiving tax deferment assistance like elderly/disabled, or Veterans exemptions.
  • You must not have more than $60,000 in liquid resources (for example: your cash on hand, checking & savings accounts combined, or other investments available to you within 7 days)

The inquiry process will be open through Sept. 30. Eligible homeowners can submit an inquiry at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant after Aug. 1 or call (828) 250-5500 to start the application process. Phone support is available in any language. Please note that we anticipate a high volume of calls and inquiries at the onset, and it may take a few weeks for a case manager to get back with you.

“If you think you may qualify, but you aren’t sure, please give our team a call,” says Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “We know there are a number of unique circumstances, and our staff will work with homeowners to help find solutions.”

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Aug 20 all-day
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If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Food Scraps Drop Off: Stephens-Lee Recreation Center
Aug 20 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in

two locations for all Buncombe County residents.  This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin?  Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

 

Locations

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

    • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

    • Dawn – Dusk

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Library open hours

 

Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander

        • Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
        • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
Sundays Traditional Game Day
Aug 20 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.