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.

Saturday, May 27, 2023
Applications Accepted: Extension Master GardenerSM Training
May 27 all-day
online

The Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer program in Buncombe County is now accepting applications for initial training this fall. We are looking for individuals who want to serve their community, expand and share their gardening knowledge, and work in a team environment.

To become a certified Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer, individuals accepted into the program are required to complete the 40-hour initial training program, pass an examination, and complete an internship of 40 hours of volunteer service. Additional continuing education (15 hours) and volunteer service to the community (30 hours) are required for annual recertification.

Training will be held in-person, during the day Tuesdays, August through November.

The application deadline is June 1, 2023. Completed applications should be emailed or printed and mailed or delivered to the Cooperative Extension Office at 49 Mount Carmel Road, Suite 102, Asheville, NC 28806.

A training fee of $150 is due upon acceptance into the training program. Scholarships are available, please inquire.

More information on the Master Gardener program in Buncombe County, including Frequently Asked Questions and Activities to Fulfill Your Volunteer Requirements, is available on the Buncombe County Extension website.  Click here: Buncombe County Extension website

Download and print an application: 2023 EMG Application and Certification Agreement

 

Helping Gardeners Put Knowledge to Work
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
May 27 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
May 27 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.

White Squirrel Weekend
May 27 all-day
Downtown Brevard

White Squirrel 2023 will kick off downtown Friday evening and run through Sunday afternoon in the heart of downtown.

In addition to the live music, the weekend event features a smattering of delicious local food vendors and a beer garden featuring all of Brevard’s local craft breweries and wine.  Craft, artisan and nonprofit vendors add to the weekend’s street offerings.

Asheville Beer Week: Beer City 20k Relay Green Man Brewery
May 27 @ 7:30 am – 11:00 am
Green Man Brewery

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find Asheville North Carolina. With it’s clean mountain water, Asheville has a long legacy of beer brewing and now hosts over 30 craft breweries as well as some of the best breweries in the country. On the top of many lists of must see cities for the beer enthusiasts, this mountain town is also a mecca for runners, bikers and hikers alike. We are beyond excited to be hosting the Beer City Relay again in 2023, an event that encapsulates running and craft beer. Our host brewery for 2023 is Green Man Brewery. Established in 1997, Green Man Brewing celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2022. They’ve had many years to prefect their beers and you can taste it. The event is meant to be a fun 5k or 10k relay with a team aspect. The course consists of one 5k loop. Teams of 4 will each complete the 5k course 1 time in relay. Teams of 2 will each complete the 5k course twice in relay to run a 10k.Single runners 5k option. Runners will run the 5k loop once and need no other team members.

The event is meant to be a fun 5k or 10k relay with a team aspect.  The course consists of one 5k loop.

Teams of 4 will each complete the 5k course 1 time in relay.

Teams of 2 will each complete the 5k course twice in relay to run a 10k.

Single runners 5k option. Runners will run the 5k loop once and need no other team members.

Race Day – Saturday May 27th

First Wave of Runners starts at – 8:00am

Starting Line  and relay exchange – just across from Green Man’s Green Mansion at 27 Buxton Ave.

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
May 27 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Garden Jubilee
May 27 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Main Street Downtown Hendersonville

2023 Garden Jubilee, presented by Stuller Power Solutions

Entering its 30th Year on Memorial Day Weekend 

 

Garden Jubilee, one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, will be held on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Memorial Day weekend. With over nearly 200 plant and craft vendors lining Main Street, the Historic downtown will be transformed into a garden wonderland. 

Local and regional nurseries, orchards and crafters will offer a wide variety of plants and handmade delights and gardening experts will be on hand to share the latest gardening tips and techniques. 

 

Learn the latest techniques and tips from gardening experts located throughout the festival as well as presenting on the stage located in the Welcome Center parking lot on Saturday:

9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks with Stuller Power Solutions

9:30 a.m. Horticultural Therapy

10:30 a.m. Hendersonville Tree Canopy Study

11:30 a.m. Native Bees vs Honey Bees: We’re All in This Together

12:30 p.m. How Pollination Happens

1:30 p.m. Recipes for Pollinator Garden Success

2:30 p.m. Use and Care of Your Outdoor Yard Equipment

Rose Exhibition
May 27 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Guided Trail Walk
May 27 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
May 27 @ 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.

Asheville Beer Week: $5 PAY TO PLAY PICKUP VOLLEYBALL
May 27 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company
$5 pay-to-play volleyball. Check in at the bar or Highland Outpost.
Summer Sounds in the Gorge
May 27 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

From the local favorites to new regional acts, all live from the river banks of the Nantahala. Raft, dine, then jam with us with Live Music every Friday and Saturday from 5pm-8pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day!

May 27th 5pm-8pm – Mama and the Ruckus

May 28th 5pm-8pm – The Lefties

June 2nd 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Trio

June 3rd 5pm-8pm – Laura Thurston

June 9th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton

June 10th 1pm-4pm – Jacobs Well

June 10th 5pm-8pm – Natti Love Joys

June 16th 5pm-8pm – Rae and the Ragdolls

June 17th 5pm-8pm – Beer and Loathing

June 23rd 5pm-8pm – TBA

June 24th 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton Trio

June 30th 5pm-8pm – Blue

July 1st 5pm-8pm – Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs

July 7th 5pm-8pm – Bayou Diesel

July 8th 5pm-8pm – Pioneer Chicken Stand

July 14th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin

July 15th 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Duo

July 21st 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton

July 22nd 5pm-8pm – TG and the Stoned Rangers

July 28th 5pm-8pm – Blue

July 29th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child

August 4th 5pm-8pm – Trial by Fire

August 5th 5pm-8pm – Andy Johnson

August 11th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Solo

August 12th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Band

August 18th 5pm-8pm – Big Deal Band

August 19th 1pm-4pm – Mckinney

August 19th 5pm-8pm – Funk N’ Around

August 25th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin

August 26th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child

September 1st 5pm-8pm – TBA

September 2nd 5pm-8pm – Regatta 69

LAZOOM Tours: BAND AND BEER TOUR
May 27 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Wanna hear the best local music ​and​ drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.

  • Curated Live Music & Brewery Bus experience
  • 3 Hours long, includes three 30 Minute Local Brewery Stops
  • You Can Drink on the Funky Purple Bus! **Must be purchased at LaZoom or at brewery stop**
Asheville Beer Week: Black is Beautiful Documentary Screening
May 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company

When social unrest gripped the United States in the summer of 2020, co-owner and head-brewer of Weathered Souls Brewing Company, Marcus Baskerville, decided to shed light on the related problems of racial inequality and police brutality.
The Black is Beautiful collaborative brewing project was born with the mission to raise money, provide education, and drive change to a system that has fractured families and perpetuated injustice. More than 1,200 breweries in all 50 states and 22 countries participated in the collaborative brewing project, donating proceeds from their versions of the Black is Beautiful collaboration beer to local foundations that support police brutality reform and organizations that support equality and inclusion.
Join us for a screening of the Black is Beautiful Documentary Film, produced by Flagship Video Works. The short film captures the inception and motivation behind the initiative and the impact and success that followed. A Q&A discussion featuring the director and Baskerville will immediately follow the screening.

Q&A to follow with:
Marcus Baskerville – Co-owner, Weathered Souls Brewing
Marco Ortega – Producer and Director
There will also be a raffle with the prize – a signed poster. 100% of raffle donations will go back to the Black is Beautiful Initiative

AVL Beer Week: Meadow Music: The Orange Constant
May 27 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company

The Orange Constant formed in 2012 and has since made a name for itself across the American Southeast. Based in Georgia, the group continues to grow a loyal fan-base that craves its vintage-rock sound with a contemporary twist. TOC’s debut album, Time to Go (June 2015), was recorded with Grammy-nominated producer John Keane (R.E.M., Widespread Panic) and garnered praise from Relix Magazine as a “confident and polished debut album…laden with connective riffs and melodious charm.” The band shares bills with acts such as Perpetual Groove, TAUK, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and CBDB and won the 2016 Flagpole Athens Music Award for best “Jam/Funk” band. Its second LP, Point of Reference (March 2017), was produced by Drew Vandenberg (of Montreal, Kishi Bashi, Futurebirds) and demonstrates an urge to break genre restrictions. The band returned to Keane for its third full-length release, Peel (May 2020), which features all five current members, and released its first live album, No More Time, in 2022. The Orange Constant draws influence from many styles and fans are often drawn to its ability to meld progressive composition and improvisation with a pop-like sensibility. The group is: Andrew Brantley (guitar, vocals), Nickalous Benson (guitar, vocals), Tyler Walker (bass, vocals), Chris Freiberg (keyboards), Sam Groveman (drums).

AVL Beer Week: Don’t Tell Comedy- Noble Cider Downtown
May 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Noble Cider Downtown

 

You’ve found Comedy’s Worst Kept Secret.

SHOW DETAILS

  • This show will be at an indoor location

  • At this show you can buy drinks at the venue and bring outside food and buy snacks at the venue.

  • This show will have chairs provided

  • This show is wheelchair accessible

SECRET COMEDIANS.

All comedians remain unknown until they take the stage. Every lineup is carefully curated to include the very best local and nationally touring talent. You may discover your next favorite comedian or see a familiar face. You’ll never know who might show up!

SECRET LOCATIONS.

From historic mansions to candy stores, rooftops to rock climbing gyms, we transform just about any environment into a unique setting for live stand-up comedy. The precise location, and other show details, are sent to you at 8:00 AM on May 27, 2023. You can also reveal the show details at our website. This show will be happening at an undisclosed Indoor location in Downtown, Asheville.

UNIQUE LIVE EXPERIENCE.

Our shows are run by a local team of comedy lovers, and comedians who are passionate about creating a fun and relaxed environment for experiencing live comedy. There are no two-drink minimums and each show is completely unique. We thrive on good vibes and welcome you to be a part of the DTC community.

AVL Beer Week: Live Music with The Letter Show
May 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Highland Brewing Downtown Taproom

The seed was planted for The Letter Show when George and Becca met the old fashioned way (a Craigslist ad) in 2011. They discovered not only a shared love of writing and playing Americana music, but a compatibility in their singing voices and playing styles that was undeniable.
After gigging for several years, and contributing to various projects, The Letter Show was formally minted in 2013 with guitarist and songwriter Daniel Crawford. The trio headed to Nashville to record an EP with Grammy-winning producer Joey Crawford. Those sessions resulted in the Brokenhearted Stumblers EP, self-released in the summer of 2013. That August, the band traveled to Floyd, VA to perform at Floydfest.
After Daniel moved to Nashville in 2015, Becca and George continued to collaborate on various recording projects and perform live together and independently. In 2021, they rekindled The Letter Show name, and began gigging steadily in the Charleston area. The band can be found at prominent Charleston venues such as Holy City Brewing. The Letter Show is booking actively for 2023, and currently recording its sophomore EP.

AVL Beer Week: Smoky Mountain Beer Run
May 27 @ 7:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Smoky Mountain Beer Run

One of our newest Events is the Smoky Mountain Beer Run! A specialty train excursion featuring 3 samples of local craft beer on-board and a final sample when we stop off at the layover, at Innovation Station in Dillsboro, NC.

 

Every ‘Beer Run’ has a fun theme to help get into the party mood but also makes every run unique and one of a kind. With Craft Beer and a Themed menu to match, you’ll be treated and transported as we cruise through the Smoky Mountains while enjoying a night in ‘Beer Country.’

THE KENNY ROGERS BAND
May 27 @ 8:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

“Through The Years”

The Kenny Rogers Band

featuring

Don Gatlin

Celebrate the Music and Memories

of the Legend Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers was a GRAMMY Award-winning superstar that entertained fans for six decades. Selling over 120 million albums worldwide, he is one of the best-selling male artists of all-time. His songs were classic hits and will be remembered and sung for generations.

But…. nobody does them like Kenny’s ORIGINAL BAND !!!!

The actual original band that backed Kenny Rogers for 40+ years realized that there is still a tremendous demand for the songs that Kenny made so famous and felt that this show “Through the Years” would be a way they could honor Kenny and keep alive his legendary career.

 

Don Gatlin – lead singer for Savanah Jack and longtime friend of Kenny Rogers, has joined Kenny’s original band to present a timeless song catalog while sharing the untold stories from his illustrious career.

This is NOT a tribute band… this is Kenny’s actual Touring Band.

We are thrilled to be able to bring a show of this caliber to the town of Black Mountain NC. You rarely get to hear a big show like this in a small, intimate venue where every seat is a good seat, and you can see and hear the artists “up close and personal”.Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity.

THROUGH THE YEARS Concert Event

This rare opportunity to hear the original Kenny Rogers Band show may sell out in advance.

Advance ticket purchases are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!!

 

Sunday, May 28, 2023
Applications Accepted: Extension Master GardenerSM Training
May 28 all-day
online

The Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer program in Buncombe County is now accepting applications for initial training this fall. We are looking for individuals who want to serve their community, expand and share their gardening knowledge, and work in a team environment.

To become a certified Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer, individuals accepted into the program are required to complete the 40-hour initial training program, pass an examination, and complete an internship of 40 hours of volunteer service. Additional continuing education (15 hours) and volunteer service to the community (30 hours) are required for annual recertification.

Training will be held in-person, during the day Tuesdays, August through November.

The application deadline is June 1, 2023. Completed applications should be emailed or printed and mailed or delivered to the Cooperative Extension Office at 49 Mount Carmel Road, Suite 102, Asheville, NC 28806.

A training fee of $150 is due upon acceptance into the training program. Scholarships are available, please inquire.

More information on the Master Gardener program in Buncombe County, including Frequently Asked Questions and Activities to Fulfill Your Volunteer Requirements, is available on the Buncombe County Extension website.  Click here: Buncombe County Extension website

Download and print an application: 2023 EMG Application and Certification Agreement

 

Helping Gardeners Put Knowledge to Work
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
May 28 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
May 28 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.

White Squirrel Weekend
May 28 all-day
Downtown Brevard

White Squirrel 2023 will kick off downtown Friday evening and run through Sunday afternoon in the heart of downtown.

In addition to the live music, the weekend event features a smattering of delicious local food vendors and a beer garden featuring all of Brevard’s local craft breweries and wine.  Craft, artisan and nonprofit vendors add to the weekend’s street offerings.

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
May 28 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Garden Jubilee
May 28 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Main Street Downtown Hendersonville

2023 Garden Jubilee, presented by Stuller Power Solutions

Entering its 30th Year on Memorial Day Weekend 

 

Garden Jubilee, one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, will be held on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Memorial Day weekend. With over nearly 200 plant and craft vendors lining Main Street, the Historic downtown will be transformed into a garden wonderland. 

Local and regional nurseries, orchards and crafters will offer a wide variety of plants and handmade delights and gardening experts will be on hand to share the latest gardening tips and techniques. 

 

Learn the latest techniques and tips from gardening experts located throughout the festival as well as presenting on the stage located in the Welcome Center parking lot on Saturday:

9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks with Stuller Power Solutions

9:30 a.m. Horticultural Therapy

10:30 a.m. Hendersonville Tree Canopy Study

11:30 a.m. Native Bees vs Honey Bees: We’re All in This Together

12:30 p.m. How Pollination Happens

1:30 p.m. Recipes for Pollinator Garden Success

2:30 p.m. Use and Care of Your Outdoor Yard Equipment

Rose Exhibition
May 28 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
May 28 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

We have another great standup comedy show coming up at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Sunday May 28, 6:30 pm. Show is 18+. An always crazy fun comedy open mic with the area’s best comics (performing comics get free pizza & entry)!!
Come get delicious food & drinks while laughing the night away! Contact [email protected] for more information!
Hosted by Morgan Bost. Morgan is an Asheville based comic capturing the playful and often painful parallels between adolescence and “almost-adulthood.” Vibrant yet vulnerable; her high-energy storytelling is influenced by her background as an improviser. She co-hosts a weekly comedy open mic called “The Hot Seat,” and writes a monthly humor column, “Best Medicine with Morgan Bost,” for the Mountain Xpress. She’s opened for Rob Delaney, Beth Stelling, and has appeared in several breweries and discount grocery stores across Western North Carolina.
Tickets at:
https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/movies/

Monday, May 29, 2023
Applications Accepted: Extension Master GardenerSM Training
May 29 all-day
online

The Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer program in Buncombe County is now accepting applications for initial training this fall. We are looking for individuals who want to serve their community, expand and share their gardening knowledge, and work in a team environment.

To become a certified Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer, individuals accepted into the program are required to complete the 40-hour initial training program, pass an examination, and complete an internship of 40 hours of volunteer service. Additional continuing education (15 hours) and volunteer service to the community (30 hours) are required for annual recertification.

Training will be held in-person, during the day Tuesdays, August through November.

The application deadline is June 1, 2023. Completed applications should be emailed or printed and mailed or delivered to the Cooperative Extension Office at 49 Mount Carmel Road, Suite 102, Asheville, NC 28806.

A training fee of $150 is due upon acceptance into the training program. Scholarships are available, please inquire.

More information on the Master Gardener program in Buncombe County, including Frequently Asked Questions and Activities to Fulfill Your Volunteer Requirements, is available on the Buncombe County Extension website.  Click here: Buncombe County Extension website

Download and print an application: 2023 EMG Application and Certification Agreement

 

Helping Gardeners Put Knowledge to Work
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
May 29 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
May 29 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.