Join professional birder Kevin Burke for a birding exploration of Holmes Educational State Forest. Kevin has been leading tours and helping people get outside for most of his adult life. His passion for birds and birding has become a career. Kevin owns and operates Carolina Nature Tours with his wife. Here they lead a multitude of walks and talk about everything in nature. Kevin also is a full-time guide for VENT (Victor Emanuel Nature Tours). He’s led trips throughout much of the U.S. and especially loves going to the Pacific Northwest where he used to live. He has also led trips to Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Learn more about Kevin’s trips through Carolina Nature Tours.

On this hike, we can expect to see/hear warblers (such as ovenbird, black-throated green warbler, hooded warbler, Louisiana waterthrush and Northern parula), tanagers (scarlet) and vireos (red-eyed and blue-headed) among other species. The program is limited to 15 participants. The group will meet in our main parking area at the amphitheater. It is recommended that you bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle, camera and bird field guide if you have one.

Birding: For the birdwatchers, there will be monthly bird excursions at Lake Julian Park. The birding events will occur at 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month from March through October. These events allow participants to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of various avian species in Buncombe county. Fun fact: Lake Julian Park is home to a successfully paired eagle couple that has raised at least 6 eaglets over the past 3 years! Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Leicester Community Center (2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester):

July 18, August 22, September 12, and October 17 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join us in the Learning Garden to use the leaves and flowers of the end of summer in a process called Eco-printing. This technique uses the leaves and flowers of plants to print directly onto paper. Time and heat transfer the pigments and tannins from the plant to leave a permanent image. Each print is unique and the results are always a surprise.

The class is free, but we request a $5 donation to cover the costs of materials. Please bring cash.
Wear appropriate attire as most of this presentation will be held outside.

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Empowerment Collective: Inspired Women, Elevated Conversations. Join us on Thursday, September 26th for an in-person upscale networking and speaking series that highlights the remarkable stories of women who have defied odds, shattered glass ceilings, and triumphed in their personal and professional lives.

Our mission at Empowerment Collective is to provide a dynamic platform where accomplished women can unveil their transformative journeys. In hosting our events, we cultivate a community brimming with inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful connections—uniting women throughout every stage of their personal and professional evolution.

Going into the presidential election this fall, the United States is going to be one intense place. Join Tucker Carlson and friends from coast to coast as he hits the road for his first live tour. Tucker will be joined on stage by some of the most fascinating and recognizable guests, responding to everything that is happening in real time. The Tucker Carlson Live Tour is presented by Sambrosa.com and brought to you by Swan Bitcoin.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Birding: For the birdwatchers, there will be monthly bird excursions at Lake Julian Park. The birding events will occur at 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month from March through October. These events allow participants to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of various avian species in Buncombe county. Fun fact: Lake Julian Park is home to a successfully paired eagle couple that has raised at least 6 eaglets over the past 3 years! Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

On National Public Lands Day, Saturday September 28, 2024, Friends of DuPont Forest will host the 6th annual DuPont Forest Festival, an event celebrating the adventure and beauty of DuPont State Recreational Forest. 

The DuPont Forest Festival is a free, family friendly event open to the public. It is a celebration of  the Forest and the diverse user groups who enjoy it.

We’ll have a mix of drop-in activities, demonstrations, group tours, and hikes, all perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Our number one goal for the Forest Festival is to teach people to love the Forest. Along with having fun, the activities will weave in education about  reducing impacts to the Forest, waterfall safety, trails that serve multiple types of recreationalists  and Forest conservation.

Each event will be led by an expert volunteer and representative from our partner organizations.”

AND MORE!

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Birding: For the birdwatchers, there will be monthly bird excursions at Lake Julian Park. The birding events will occur at 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month from March through October. These events allow participants to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of various avian species in Buncombe county. Fun fact: Lake Julian Park is home to a successfully paired eagle couple that has raised at least 6 eaglets over the past 3 years! Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

Join us for the Chamber Get Down on the River at the Salvage Station 4-7 pm as we celebrate you—our valued members!

Invite your employees to this free, family-friendly event. We’ll have food, beer and non-alcoholic beverages along with kids’ activities, music, fun and games for everyone!

In honor of our 125th year, we’re giving back to our incredible nonprofits. The thirteen nonprofits that each received $10,000 at our 125^th Anniversary Celebration last September will return to share how they’ve used the funds and to seek your vote for an additional $5,000 grant. We’ll have a live voting platform so you can cast your vote and help decide who gets additional funding.

A huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Bank of America, for making this special grant possible!

We can’t wait to see you there!

No registration is needed. This is a free event, all outdoors! This event will be moved indoors in the event of weather.

we are rescheduling the Chamber Family Get Down on The River to Tuesday, October 29th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Salvage Station.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.