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, September 16, 2022
Hawk Watch
Sep 16 all-day
Grandfather Mountain
A red-tailed hawk soaring over Grandfather Mountain

All throughout September, guests are invited to join the mountain’s naturalists as they count and celebrate the annual spectacle of fall raptor migration. Participants can observe the migration daily at Linville Peak, across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, weather permitting. Included with admission.

Hello Death, Where Have You Been All My Life?
Sep 16 all-day
Center for Craft

Over the past two years, artist-researcher, community organizer, and Center for Craft grant recipient, Macon Reed has built Hello Death, Where Have You Been All My Life? an immersive installation that harnesses the social function of ritual space to reflect, process grief, heal, and envision alternative futures.

Hops for Hunger Support MANNA with a Pint
Sep 16 all-day
various Asheville Breweries

This September, several breweries are participating in our annual campaign that unites MANNA and our local brewers, Hops for Hunger.

For every pour of a particular brew, the brewery will donate $1 to MANNA. This month’s participants include 12 Bones Brewing, Bold Rock, Boojum Brewing Company, Burning Blush Brewery, Green Man Brewery, Hi-Wire Brewing and Mills River Brewing Company

Hunger Action Month
Sep 16 all-day
online w/ MANNA FoodBank
Investing in our Community: $80K in Funding Opportunities for Juvenile Crime Prevention Programs Available Now
Sep 16 all-day
online

The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) is now accepting proposals for the remainder of fiscal year 2022-2023. The JCPC announces the availability of small allocations totaling $84,902 in state funding for local nonprofits and public agencies working to serve youth involved in, or at-risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. The JCPC addresses the gaps in youth services by promoting prevention, intervention, treatment and aftercare strategies and programs which strengthen families and support community safety.

Click here for Request for Proposals (RFP)

The JCPC is seeking innovative projects designed to address the identified needs in our community – highlighted in the 2021 Risk Needs Summary Report:

  • Runaway from Home or Placement
  • School Behavior/Adjustment
  • Substance Use Within Past 12 Months
  • Abuse Neglect History
  • Sexual Behaviors During Past 12 Months
  • Mental Health Needs
  • Basic Physical Needs/Independent Living
  • Conflict in the Home Within Past 12 Months
  • Family Supervision Skills

Based on these factors and possible gaps in the Continuum of Services, the following program types will be considered for funding:

  • Runaway/Temporary Shelter
  • Comprehensive Clinical Assessments (CCAs)
  • Restitution/Community Service
  • Teen Court/Restorative Services
  • Substance Use Services
  • Parent / Family Skill Building
  • Vocational Skills
  • Interpersonal or Experiential Skills
  • Structured Day / Tutoring / Academic Enhancement / Mentoring

Application Information

The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) is responsible for reviewing and allocating funds to programs designed to serve youth involved in, or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system, and to reduce the number of youth who enter the state’s youth development centers. Any nonprofits or public agency interested in applying for JCPC funds is required to send a representative to the applicant orientation.

NEW applicants are required to attend a mandatory orientation (prior applicants may also attend). For information about the program application workshop and other technical assistance contact Lorraine Williams, Area Consultant, Community Programs Western Area Office, 828-405-4056, [email protected].

Interested organizations are required to complete an online application through NC ALLIES (A Local Link to Improve Effective Services). Organizations can review application instructions here.

Current JCPC funded programs requesting additional funds should submit a budget revision in NC ALLIES and email JCPC Admin [email protected] a summary detailing the amount of the request and purpose for additional funds.

Private nonprofits are also required to submit in NC ALLIES, No Overdue Tax forms, Conflict of Interest Statements, and, if requested, proof of 501(c)(3) status.

Application submission deadline is Thursday, October 6th, 2022, by 5 pm. All applications must be submitted in NC Allies; once the application is submitted in NC Allies, send a copy via email to [email protected].

­­­­Applicants will be required to present their proposal during an Allocations Hearing. Applicants will be contacted with the date and time of this meeting upon submission.

For additional information regarding the application process contact Hannah Legerton, JCPC Administrator, (828) 250-4087

Please see the linked Request for Proposals and visit Buncombecounty.org/grants for more information.

Note: The JCPC had allocated $84,902 to Trinity Place Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter for the upcoming year; unfortunately the program announced their closure effective 5/15/2022. The JCPC has until 12/31/2022 to reallocate funding that had been designated for Trinity Place.

Buncombe County is committed to building a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community that is equitable and sustainable. Buncombe County invests in our community through eight grant programs supporting organizations working in support of the Buncombe 2025 Strategic Plan focus areas and goals. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are critical to our grants processes, and Buncombe County encourages participation from organizations led by and providing service to people of color/BIPOC individuals.

More about the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Juvenile Justice partners with Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils in each county to galvanize community leaders, locally and statewide, to reduce and prevent youth involvement with the juvenile justice system. The intent is to provide community-based alternatives to youth development centers and to provide community-based programming, treatment, counseling or rehabilitation services for youth involved in, or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.

This is an initiative of the NC Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Community Programming, and the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

JourneyPerson Farmer Program Applications open!
Sep 16 all-day
online

The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.

Early bird discount: $100 off if you apply by September 1st, 2022.

journeyperson program insgtagram
Moonlight Mountaintop Zip Line Tour
Sep 16 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Zip line lights on the Moonlight Mountaintop Zip Line Tour trip

Nantahala Outdoor Center’s premier Mountaintop Zip Line Tour takes the heart-pounding intensity up a notch when it’s under the night time sky! On dates near a full moon, NOC offers limited trips on this stunning Moonlight Mountaintop Zip Line Tour.

Zip under the night sky while taking in the sights and sounds of the calm Blue Ridge Mountains. NOC’s expert aerial guides use glow sticks to signal you, and you use glow sticks to paint the night sky. This adventure truly feels magical.

NOC’s Moonlight Mountaintop Zip Line Tour consists of two-miles of mountaintop-to-mountaintop zip lines, culminating in the heart-pounding 1/2 mile Mega Zip underneath the stars – silhouetting stunning 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Highlights

  • NOC’s Moonlight Mountaintop Zip Line is an unparalleled experience of mountaintop-to-mountaintop zips under a full moon.
  • Glow sticks are used by Aerial Guides to signal you forward through the course.
  • Participants use glow sticks to paint the star-filled sky.
  • The 1/2 Mile Mega Zip is the true gem of the trip – offering silhouetted 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the starry night sky.

What to Expect

Please check-in for your trip 30 minutes prior to your reservation at the Adventure Deck. All guests should have prior zip lining experience. Once being fitted for equipment, guests will shuttle to a ground school where they will receive instructions on how to use glow sticks to signal with the Aerial Guides. Guests will be required to demonstrate proficiency in zip lining including breaking.

Nantahala Outdoor Center 2023 Adventure travel trips
Sep 16 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Adventure is what we do.

Nantahala Outdoor Center has a long history of venturing where many haven’t, pioneering new adventures, and bringing opportunities to experience the outdoors to millions of guests over five decades. Our International Adventure Tours offer unique destinations, exciting adventures and activities, experienced guides, and world-class hospitality. These all-inclusive, small group excursions will redefine how you travel. Experience some of the most breathtaking places in the world without feeling like a tourist.

If your idea of fun is a rafting trip on the Chilko, a quiet lake paddle in Argentina, surf lessons in Ecuador, or trekking in Iceland, our trips have something for every adventure and skill level. Enjoy kayaking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, yoga, surfing, ziplining, wine tastings, or cultural experiences, along with the flexibility to customize your own adventure. Settle in after your travels in some of the most unique accommodations in the world; from cozy lodges and five star resorts, with local cuisine and tastings, every detail is meticulously planned so you can soak up every moment.

We hope these guided, off-the-beaten-path expeditions will foster the same spirit of adventure we encourage in our Southeastern locations, while giving you the opportunity to explore beyond your own backyard.

 

We have officially announced our new 2023 Adventure travel trips for you to explore new destinations, try new adventures, and experience new cultures! Our trips are small groups, offer world-class hospitality, unique lodging and the most diverse activity options for you to try! We’re giving “revenge travel” new meaning.

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Sep 16 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.

Organic Growers School: Join Our Board of Directors
Sep 16 all-day
Organic Growers School

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The Organic Growers School is looking for dedicated individuals interested in serving on our Board of Directors! We are currently seeking socially conscious, diverse, impact-driven individuals to join our Volunteer Board of Directors.

The board of directors plays a critical role in the Organic Growers School. Members of the board are involved in program and policy oversight, financial management, strategic direction, and fundraising.

 

OGS is looking for energetic, passionate people to:
🌱 Build community networks
🌱 Act as change catalysts in the community
🌱 Serve as ambassadors for organic growing & OGS

 

If you believe in the value of organic growing and want to be part of OGS’s change agenda, we have a chair for you at our boardroom table!

 

Applications are due by October 10th.

Outpace Hunger Feed People and Your Passion
Sep 16 all-day
Online w/ Manna FoodBank

OUTPACE HUNGER

FEED PEOPLE AND YOUR PASSION!

What Is Outpace Hunger?

Looking for a way to make a real impact this spring and summer? Feed people while pursuing your passion through Outpace Hunger, an action-based fundraising campaign that turns a favorite activity into meals!

For decades, MANNA FoodBank has been working to outpace hunger and food insecurity all across 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. The 2022 campaign runs May 1 through September 30, and we invite you join the growing community of folks who are Outpacing Hunger alongside of us!

How It Works

Participating in Outpace Hunger is easy!

You decide your level of commitment, so every participant can create their own path to helping provide food to our community. Participants also decide how, when, and where they complete their goal, any time now through the campaign end on September 30.

Outpace Hunger participants:

(1) Register to be a part of MANNA’s Outpace Hunger community. The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt for you and provides 80 MEALS for neighbors facing food insecurity in WNC.

(2) Choose a favorite activity (run, walk, roll, stroll, hike, bike, paddle, climb, float, skate, golf, and everything in between!) to complete individually, or as a family/group/team.

(3) Set a goal to reach. This can be an activity-related goal, a fundraising goal, or both.

(4) Invite friends and family to support your fundraising efforts through your own, personalized Outpace Hunger webpage.

Whether running a 5K, walking your neighborhood, hiking the Mountains to Sea trail, or paddling the French Broad River, Outpace Hunger participants play a vital part in ensuring our WNC neighbors have access to healthy food

READY TO OUTPACE HUNGER WITH US?

REGISTER NOW!

ALREADY AN OUTPACE HUNGER PARTICIPANT?

VISIT YOUR PAGE

 NEED MORE INFORMATION?

OUTPACE HUNGER HOW-TO GUIDE

RAFFLE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Revolve + Bob Moog Foundation
Sep 16 all-day
online

Make a $20 donation or more to either REVOLVE or the Bob Moog Foundation (or both), and be entered into a raffle to win wonderful prizes such as our new Sync T-Shirt, Records and Tapes from the Make Noise Crew, and an XPO! For every $20 you donate, you’ll receive a raffle ticket. Donations must be made September 9-September 27 10AM EST directly to the org using the links provided (coming soon), and you must include Make Noise in the memo line. These orgs will send us a list of all donors & donations on the 27th, and we will announce the winners live in person at our Closing Party September 29th. Items will be mailed the following week, unless the winner is there to receive it. People who come to the pop-up for a demo will receive an extra raffle ticket after they donate.

 

Why do these organizations mean a lot to the Make Noise Crew?
REVOLVE is a place we go to often–to play, to see each other play, to immerse ourselves in sound, to experience installations, to gather with other artists. REVOLVE provides inclusive programming centered around sound experiments, and that’s joy for us!

The Bob Moog Foundation creates hands-on opportunities for folks of all ages to explore the science of sound. We especially love the work they do teaching children about the intersection of music and tech, preparing them for a lifetime of sonic adventures!

The 11th Annual ReStore ReUse Contest
Sep 16 all-day
online

Reuse Contest 2022 1236x728 Web Page No Url

ReUse Contest Guidelines

WHEN
The contest begins on August 1, 2022 and ends on September 30, 2022. Winners will be announced in October.

WHO
Anyone! (Except employees of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity)

WHAT
The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore is hosting the 11th annual ReUse Contest to showcase innovative building projects constructed predominantly of used building materials.

Winners will be selected in the following categories:

  • Furniture: $200 ReStore gift card
  • Homesteading (i.e. chicken coop, raised bed): $200 ReStore gift card
  • Live and/or work space: $200 ReStore gift card
  • Art: $200 ReStore gift card
  • Home Decor: $200 ReStore gift card
  • Vans & Vehicles: $200 ReStore gift card
  • Best in Show: $500 ReStore gift card

Winners will be announced in a press release, on Asheville Habitat’s website and social media pages, and featured in the Asheville Habitat ReStore.

OTHER DETAILS

  • Entries must be submitted electronically using the form provided.
  • Projects should have been completed within the last 2 years.
  • You may submit up to three separate projects (individually).
  • Re-submission of a project submitted in previous years will not be accepted.
  • Incomplete entries will not be considered.
  • Questions? Email [email protected].

JUDGING
There will be 5 judges, assessing entries based on:

  • Quality of design and execution
  • Replicability of concept
  • Clarity of description
  • Quality of photos (if we can’t see it well, we can’t judge it fairly)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): reduce internet service costs
Sep 16 all-day
online

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) allows qualifying households to reduce their internet service costs by up to $30 a month (or $75 a month on Tribal lands). This program also provides a one-time financial support for purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.

ACP-eligible households may include those who:

– Utilize SNAP or WIC benefits

– Receive Social Security Income (SSI)

– Receive Medicaid

– Utilize Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

– Participate in Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Programs

– Participate in Tribal assistance programs

– Meet the eligibility criteria for existing broadband provider’s low-income internet program

Vote in the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” Competition
Sep 16 all-day
online

Byer’s Precision Fabricators announced today that they have been named as a semi-finalist in the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” Competition.

The top 5 businesses in each category will be announced on September 22, when Byer’s may move on to the last round, and compete as a “Top 5” contender. The winner will be announced on October 6.

 

The vote tally has been reset to level the field for all semifinalists. As in the first round, the community may still only vote once a day with a valid email address.

 

To cast your vote for Byer’s Precision, click here: http://wshe.es/32QyUdFR

 

This competition helps to highlight manufacturing in NC, a crucial key to the state’s economic success. Byer’s Precision Fabricators was opened in 1942 by Paul Byers, where he started a general sheet metal shop in Hendersonville, NC. Byer’s Sheet Metal Works quickly became one of the largest ductwork and roofing contractors in the state. Today, Byer’s Precision Fabricators is a 60,000 sq. ft facility, and the company has come a long way in 80 years! For more information about Byer’s, click here:  https://www.byersprecision.com/  

 

Double Your Donation: September to Honor Childhood Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease Awareness w/ The Blood Connection
Sep 16 @ 7:00 am – 6:45 pm
The Blood Connection-Asheville

Those who donate with The Blood Connection, the non-profit community blood center, are directly impacting the lives of people in this community; people like children battling cancer, or a neighbor suffering from Sickle Cell Disease.  Those people rely on community blood donors every day to ensure lifesaving blood products needed for treatments are available in local hospitals.  That is why TBC is partnering with local and national organizations to shed light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

 

Both causes have a close tie to blood centers, as blood products are vital for the treatment and management of these diseases.  TBC’s September campaign will give community members an opportunity to double their donation by donating blood to the community and donating their reward points to organizations that support childhood cancer and sickle cell patients.

TBC is also looking for organizations, companies, and groups to host blood drives to benefit these causes.
Blood drive coordinators can pick local chapters and organizations, and TBC will make a monetary donation
per donor. To speak with a TBC representative about hosting a blood drive in September, go to
thebloodconnection.org/host and fill out the form.

Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such Apple Orchard, Weekend Faily Fun Activities, and Country Store + Bakery
Sep 16 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Grandad’s Apples

Visit Grandad’s for the day and enjoy a variety of family fun activities on a 100-acre family farm and apple orchard located in Hendersonville NC near Asheville.  Select pre-picked apples fresh off the trees daily from our bins or enjoy you-pick on select weekends. Starting in late September, in Grandad’s pumpkin patch you will find pumpkins and jack o’lanterns in every size and shape. At Grandad’s Barn and Country Store, you will find a great selection of fall harvest decorations, apple peelers, apple bakers, and other apple gifts. Come by our bakery where we have hot cider donuts all day along with apple pies, cookies, hot cider, apple cider slushies, and many other apple goodies to eat!

WNC Farmers Market
Sep 16 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Farmers Market

NCDA&CS - Marketing Division - Western North Carolina Farmers Market

The WNC Farmers Market is the premier destination for buying and selling the region’s best agriculture products directly from farmers & food producers to household & wholesale customers in an environment that celebrates the region’s diverse culture, food & heritage.

House of Operation:

WNC Farmers Market: 24/7, 361 days a year market access for farmers
Office: Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm
Market Shops: 7 days a week, 8 am-5 pm
Wholesale and Truck Sheds: 7 days a week

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World® – Building Resources for a Better Life
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
YWCA Asheville

Financial Empowerment for Women

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World® – Building Resources for a Better Life. YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families and their community.

Knowledge is Power

A series of “kitchen table” discussions that investigate the causes of poverty, the hidden rules of class, and resources needed by all. Participants will assess individual situations as well as the condition of our community to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

“Going through the program made me realize that I wasn’t in this by myself. I was surrounded by people just like me who were humble enough to say ‘I need help.”

“The class has re-shaped my thinking process- the way I approach situations as possibilities, not obstacles”

Participants Receive

  • Childcare and meals at each session
  • A $20 stipend for each session attended
    Received once the program is completed
  • A workbook to keep track of learning and personal goals
  • One-on-one case management for 18
    months to support personal success
  • Transportation support is available
Help Seniors Fill Out Applications for Benefits
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Council on Aging of Buncombe County
  • The Council on Aging of Buncombe County was formed in 1964 to address the needs of seniors in our community
  • We provide essential support to people over 60 who need assistance with food, heat or a/c, and health care
  • Our volunteers make this work possible– consider joining us today!

Our Mission Statement: Promote the Independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy

We are looking for volunteers to work with low-income Medicare recipients as an unbiased, knowledgeable guide, providing education and assistance with navigating through the application process to help them receive much-needed assistance with the following programs:

  • Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)
  • Medicare Savings Programs
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamps)
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

The safety of our clients is our highest priority. Here’s what’s required for this role:

  • Clear criminal background check and driving record.
  • Minimum $100,000/300,000 in auto liability coverage.
  • Orientation and training with the Council on Aging.
  • A reliable vehicle that will pass NC safety inspection.

Additionally, we are very flexible and will work with your schedule.

Who would make a strong candidate for this volunteer role?

  • You care about seniors and want to support those who need help most
  • A resident of Buncombe County, NC, or a nearby town.
  • Someone willing to learn basic education about the Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) and what benefits are available for lower-income Seniors.
  • Someone willing to receive education about outreach, what larger events entail, and how to assist with these events.
  • Someone willing to travel around Buncombe County and set up a table at outreach events, educating the community on the services offered at Council on Aging and the Benefits Enrollment Center.
  • Someone able to assist clients with benefits applications and maintain awareness of changes to income guidelines.

If you want to help make a difference in the lives of real people right here in western North Carolina, we would love to welcome you on board as a volunteer.

Justus Orchard U Pick or We Pick Apples, Blackberries, and Pumpkins
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Justus Orchard

Girls picking NC Apples

The Justus Family has been growing delicious NC Apples in Hendersonville for more than Four Generations, our Fifth generation is now an active part of Justus Orchard as well.  At our NC Apple Orchard, you will find U Pick or We Pick ApplesBlackberries, and Pumpkins  Whether you choose to U Pick or We Pick, you can sample, mix and match to make sure go home with your favorite apples for eating or cooking.  Review the apple varieties we grow and sell and their usual ripening times here.

apple-house-sunset

We invite you to experience picking your own NC Apples, enjoy a day in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains, there is something for everyone and all ages.  Tour the orchard picking apples, stop by the pond to see our ducks, visit the farm animals, let the kids take a ride on the Cow Train through the orchard, visit Apple House for pre-picked Apples, Honey, Jams, Jellies and Preserves and other homemade goodies.  Visit the Bakery which offers our famous homemade Fried Apple Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, Apple Cider, Cider Slushies, Caramels, Apple Bread and more! You can also find fresh Mountain Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes and other local fall vegetables.

We look forward to having you visit one of the oldest U Pick or We Pick Apple Orchards in Western NC.  We guarantee fresh apples, delicious baked good, beautiful views and wonderful hospitality!

Skytop Orchard U-Pick Open every day
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Skytop Orchard

sky_top_orchard_label_header.png

Currently picking: Gala, Golden Delicious, Early Fuji, Mutsu, and a few Honeycrisp

Sky Top Orchard has been a family-owned & operated farm since 1967 when father and son duo Everette and David Butler planted the first trees on Mt. McAlpine, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. For almost 60 years, Apple Dave and his wife Lindsey grew Sky Top from a small roadside tent into what it is today.

Built with love, sweat, and a lot of hard work, Sky Top has grown to include our hayride and bee train, the apple cannon, and of course, our famous apple cider doughnuts. But throughout the years, one thing stays the same: tradition. At Sky Top, we believe family and creating long-lasting memories is the most important part. We look forward to being a place for you to bring your families for years to come.

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

“A Clear Choice” Karsten Oaks’ Solo Exhibition
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Bender Gallery

Bender Gallery is excited to present “A Clear Choice,” a solo exhibition of stunning abstract sculptures by internationally recognized master glass artist Karsten Oaks. “A Clear Choice” opens on Saturday, September 3rd with an artist’s reception with Oaks present from 6 – 9 PM, and runs through September 25th. Using specialized optical glass, Oaks creates sculptures that bend light and color via their unique forms. Reminiscent of graffiti marks, his forms are instantly recognizable and are made with meticulous perfection. When viewing, a discernible object often appears from a momentary perspective creating a vision that allows the viewer to connect on a more personal level with the piece. This mystery inspires a deeply personal relationship between viewer and object and sets Oaks’ work apart from that of his contemporaries. We hope to see you there!

Mon – Sat 10 – 6 Sun 12 – 5

“We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina” Exhibit at Pack Memorial Library
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library
PSABC is excited to be co-hosting the “We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina” travelling exhibit with the Buncombe County Special Collections.
The exhibit was put together by Preservation North Carolina and highlights the history and legacy of Black builders and craftspeople from throughout the state.
THE MERSIV EXPERIENCE tickets sales open today
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am
online
TICKET PRICES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
ADVANCED: $22.00

TICKET SALE DATES
ADVANCED Public Onsale: September 16, 2022 10:00 AM to November 20, 2022 12:00 AM

Support:
VCTRE
SuperAve.
Kyral x Banko

Ages 18+

Ticket price includes applicable sales tax.

YWCA Aquatics Volunteer
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
YWCA Asheville

YWCA of Asheville is a nonprofit organization working to bridge gaps in education, health, childcare, and earning power for women and families in the Asheville region. The mission of the YWCA of Asheville is to eliminate racism; empower women; and promote peace,  justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA indoor pool hosts a comprehensive Aquatics Program with activities for all ages, abilities, and interests.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities 

  • Join the fun in the pool as a swim assistant. Help children and adults learn the basics of floating, kicking, breathing, and diving.
  • Support the Aquatics Program with behind-the-scenes administrative work or on-the-deck supervising

Time Commitment

  • Flexible time commitment

Volunteer Requirements

  • Background check
“Life Art Life” William Bernstein 50 Year Art Retrospective
Sep 16 @ 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Toe River Arts, Kokol Gallery

“LIFE ART LIFE William Bernstein 50 year retrospective” exhibition August 6-October 9, 2022 at the Toe River Arts’ Kokol Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC, features the paintings and glass of this artist who has been on the forefront of the studio glass movement.

Graduating 1968 from the Philadelphia College of Arts and just married, Bernstein moved to Penland School of Crafts to be their second glass resident artist from 1968-70. He was a co-founder of the Glass Arts Society (GAS) that formed to bring together the glass community so people could work together and learn from each other. Receiving numerous awards, fellowships and grants, he has exhibited internationally and has artwork in many private and public collections. Bernstein has lived most of his professional life in the rural Celo community of Yancey, North Carolina along with his family and artist wife, Katherine Bernstin. This retrospective provides a great opportunity for one to imagine a life surrounded by art.

This has been not only been a year-long process of curating pieces for an exhibit, but a lifetime of making art that connects with all things about one’s life. Bernstein’s work in glass and paint showcases just that: his family, his pets, friends, his environs, his moods and so much more. A life well-lived in creating art. More on Bernstein Glass www.bernsteinglass.com

William Warmus (A Fellow and former curator of Modern Glass at the Corning Museum), writes for the exhibition catalog, “Bernstein is a minimalist whose style is based upon the dedication to the concepts of honesty, modesty, and humility. It has a feel of its surroundings and of the people of the region.”

The Toe River Arts Kokol Gallery is located at 269 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine, NC 28777. The exhibition dates: August 6 – October 9, 2022. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10:30 – 5:00 pm. 828-765-0520, www.toeriverarts.org

Public receptions on Fridays: August 12 and October 7, both 5:00-7:00 PM. Artist gallery talk Friday, August 12, 4:00 pm. The exhibition travels to Cary Arts Center November 30 – January 21, 2023.

Coinciding with the United Nations’ Year 2022 as the Year of Glass and the 60th Anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement, this has been made possible by Toe River Arts, the North Carolina Arts Council, the Cary Art Center, Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, the Blumenthal Foundation, and Mountain Electronics in Micaville, NC.

Diesel Train Moonshine Experience
Sep 16 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.

Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.

Nantahala Gorge Diesel Train Experience
Sep 16 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot

TAKE A TRAIN RIDE ALONG SIDE THE BEAUTIFUL NANTAHALA RIVER ON OUR NANTAHALA GORGE EXCURSION! DEPARTING FROM BRYSON CITY, THIS 4½ HOUR ROUNDTRIP EXCURSION CARRIES YOU 44 MILES TO THE NANTAHALA GORGE AND BACK AGAIN ARRIVING AT OUR BRYSON CITY DEPOT.

Ride this excursion via Steam or Diesel locomotive power!

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River. The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available in First Class Seating and selecting from our  First Class Dinning menu options OR you can pre-purchase a box lunch option to make this an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!