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, March 28, 2020
Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Mar 28 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Redesigning Our Future: National Environmental Summit for High School Students
Mar 28 all-day
Catawba College
Keeper For A Day at Grandfather Mountain
Mar 28 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Grandfather Mountain

Keeper For A Day

Learn how to interact with the animals, clean up, prepare food and provide enrichments. Observe various training sessions, animal behavior and the inner workings of the animal habitats.

Requirements:

Limited to two persons per day. No pets allowed in habitat area. Keepers for a Day must:

— be 12 years of age or older
— be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain
— sign a waiver of liability

Expected Daily Schedule:

Arrive at 8 a.m., meet the keepers, and go to work! Assist as we let out the animals, feed them and clean their habitats. You may be asked to lift and carry animal food, tools or other items. Learn about training and providing enrichments. End your exciting shift at 11 a.m.

What to Wear:

You will get dirty! Please wear appropriate, closed-toe hiking or work boots and no loose jewelry. Coats, jackets, gloves and hats are recommended for cooler weather. Please bring sunscreen.

Weather:

Keeper for a Day will continue on schedule regardless of weather conditions. In the event that weather conditions could affect the opening of the habitats, you will be contacted.

The weather on Grandfather Mountain can change at a moment’s notice. Temperatures are commonly 5 to 10 degrees colder than what they are at the bottom of the mountain in Linville. It is recommended that you dress in layers and be prepared for any weather condition.

2019 Keeper for a Day Dates

Month Days Time Number
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
May 7, 14, 21, 28 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
June 4, 11, 18, 25 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
August 6, 13, 20, 27 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
September 3, 10, 17, 24 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day

Reservations:

Keeper for a Day must be booked at least one week in advance by calling (828) 733-8715. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Price:

The cost is $75 per participant ($60 each for Bridge Club members). Admission to the park is included.

Natural Impressions: Prints from the Asheville Printmakers CANCELLED
Mar 28 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

NRC Slalom US Open Postponed
Mar 28 @ 3:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

NRC Slalom US Open

Date: March 27- 28, 2020

Age: All ages

Elite slalom paddlers strive for precision and speed on the legendary Nantahala Falls course at this classic southeastern race. Meanwhile, wildwater racers compete in sprint and classic components on the Nantahala River.

Spectators are invited to enjoy the show from the Forest Service walkway along the Nantahala Falls, which affords excellent views of both races. Bring a cup of fresh coffee or hot cocoa from River’s End Restaurant, located just downstream of the race course, and warm your hands as you enjoy US whitewater racing at its best!

Racers and their families will get 10% off at River’s End Restaurant for the weekend of the race! Just wear your US Open t-shirt in to the restaurant!*
*Excludes alcohol purchases.

Course Information

Slalom: Nantahala Falls Course (Class III)
Downriver Sprint: Patton’s Run Rapid (Class III)
Downriver Classic: Ferebbee Park to the Jumping Rock (Class II)

The Merrell Adventure Dash CANCELLED
Mar 28 @ 4:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Age: All Ages

The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and raft crossing. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult.

Registraion opens March 1, 2020. Check back for more details.
Onsite Registration is available from 1pm – 3:30pm day of. The race starts promptly at 4PM on 5/23/2020.

Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

RESCHEDULED 4th Nasty Woman and Bad Hombre Art Exhibition Benefit
Mar 28 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hi-Wire Brewing Company

 

Hello Asheville,

We have been monitoring the situation regarding the recent cases of coronavirus in our state. Out of an abundance of caution and taking our cue from the World Health Organization, we have decided to RESCHEDULE the Nasty Woman and Bad Hombre Art Show that was to take place on March 28, 2020 at The Event Space for Hi-Wire Brewing. 

Your health and safety are our top priority, and at this time, given the information we have, we have made the decision to postpone our event. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Katlynn Millette directly.

  • To Artists – We could not do this without you! We are continuing to accept art, and you can read more here.
  • To VIP Insiders – Please stay tuned for a rescheduled date. We plan to hold this portion of our event once we have rescheduled.
  • To Community Partners – Ya rock! We are so thankful for your support and look forward to continued collaboration.

Please stay tuned! We will update you all as soon as we have additional information about our rescheduled date. In the meantime, please take care of yourself and your families. You can read more about protecting yourself here.

 

 

Hey Asheville,

It’s time to get Nasty, again! 

Save the Date for the 4th Nasty Woman and Bad Hombre Art Exhibition benefiting Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Health Centers and Education Programs.

Last year’s event was PACKED, so we’ve moved the show to a new location to accommodate the demand. 

March 28th
VIP Insider preview starts at 5 pm
Open to the public from 6 pm – 9 pm

Hi-Wire is making a special brew to commemorate the event, and donating a portion of the proceeds back to Planned Parenthood! There will be local vendors selling feminist-inspired art, and we have an exciting text to give challenge gift for the evening!

  • New to 2020! For $35, become a VIP Insider and come early to enjoy a complimentary champagne and kombucha reception. Enjoy an EXCLUSIVE preview of the art being sold, browse the market vendors, and bid on silent auction pieces. Reserve your space here!
  • General Admission is FREE to the public and doors open at 6 pm. Enjoy complimentary nibbles! Art Show pieces will range from $1-$200 and silent auction bidding will start at $250
  • Know a local artist you would like to see at the event? Artist Submissions are still being accepted! For our general art show, we request all pieces priced at $200 and less. This year will also include a silent auction for art that could go for more than $200. To submit a piece, click here or forward this email to your favorite artists!
  • Learn more about the event and how you can get involved
  • Nasty Women Art Show is a group art exhibition to demonstrate solidarity among artists who identify with being Nasty Women in the face of threats to roll back women’s rights, civil rights, and reproductive rights.

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Sunday, March 29, 2020
Natural Impressions: Prints from the Asheville Printmakers CANCELLED
Mar 29 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

CANCELLED: Haywood Road Cleanup with the West Asheville Business Association
Mar 29 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Haywood Rd
Image

Haywood Road Cleanup with

the West Asheville Business Association

Saturday, March 29th

10am-noon

“Empty Bowls” Flat Rock Backpack Program RESCHEDEULED
Mar 29 @ 12:30 pm
The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness
Due to current public health concerns with COVID-19, the fourth annual “Empty
Bowls” fundraiser has once again been postponed and with a different format. The fundraiser
was originally set for March 29, and then pushed back to September 27, 2020. Now organizers
have decided to honor only current ticket holders to an event on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
There will be no food or beverages served or any further ticket sales. Original ticket purchasers
will be contacted to pick up a hand-crafted bowl made by a local pottery artist at The Episcopal
Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.
The traditional Empty Bowls event plans to return in the future.
For more information please call 828-693-9783.
For the fourth year, local pottery artists are firing their kilns to help hungry
children in the greater Flat Rock area.
EMPTY BOWLS, a community meal benefitting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place inside the Parish
Hall at The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.
There are three seatings with suggested reservations, 12:30pm, 5pm and 6pm.
Tickets are $25 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12 years old.
Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal
(a variety of soups, breads and desserts).
Tickets will be available beginning Monday, March 2 at St. John in the Wilderness Parish House Office, from Backpack team members or at the door on the day of the event.
Please join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the
year.
Aladdin, Jr.
Mar 29 @ 2:00 pm
Owen High School auditorium, Black Mountain NC

Aladdin, Jr. benefit performances by the students of The Learning Community School to be held March 27-29

Based on the hit 1992 animated film, The Learning Community School is pleased to present “Aladdin, Jr.” in the Owen High School auditorium on March 27-29. The entire K-8 student body of 75 students participates in the show, which features impressive choreography, singing, and live accompaniment.
It’s not just the students who are represented in the show. Every parent and staff member in the school contributes to the production. From costumes​ and make-up to lighting and props, and the dedicated team who gathers, organizes, and displays the incredible silent auction, this school-wide effort goes far beyond what’s seen on stage. Every single participant – kids, parents, staff, and faculty alike – shines in their own way and contributes to the overwhelming success of the show each year.

The event is unique in that it serves as the primary source of community outreach, community building, and fundraising for The Learning Community School; it is the school’s flagship event. This event is also an opportunity for this small school to give back to the WNC Community in a big way. On March 26th, we offer a free preview show to share a live-theater experience with members of our greater community with visitors from Black Mountain Neuromedical Treatment Center, Swannanoa Valley Montessori School, Fox Flower Montessori, local homeschool groups, and more.

Community building is a key component of the event. From the team of Saturday morning set builders to the Tuesday night costume sewing circle to the students creating magic on stage, the sense of working together for a common purpose permeates the atmosphere. Robin Jacobs, TLC parent, PE teacher, and silent auction coordinator says, “This common purpose creates an environment where collaboration is essential and familiar. It builds group stability and individual equanimity, while contributing to a culture of group success.” Executive Director Katherine Murphy says, “At the close of Sunday’s performance at our community gathering, we all celebrate the success of working together for the good of our community.”

While there are so many community benefits, the bottom line is that it is also an incredibly successful fundraiser for a small school. Ticket sales, concessions, sponsorships, and the silent auction all complement each other; “We’re incredibly fortunate to have this annual opportunity to give our students and community a meaningful and enriching experience while raising necessary funds for the school” says Holly Baumgartner, Administrative Director.

Musical highlights including “Prince Ali” and the show-stopping “​Never Had a Friend Like Me” are an opportunity for our talented students to show off their hard work and dedication. “Arabian Nights” is a stand-out performance that includes every member of the K-8 school’s student body. These songs and more will be performed as part of the school’s full-length, professional-level theater presentation.

This year’s show represents a few important milestones as well. First, it will be the 20th year for our incredible Costume Director, Theresa Cote, who oversees the design of the event’s custom-tailored costumes. Many of these outfits are hand sewn from scratch by staff members and teams of hard-working community volunteers.

The show’s director, Black Mountain resident, Dead Poets member, and TLC School alumni parent and teacher, Tom Tracy, is celebrating his 15th year at the helm. “I never grow tired of watching these young people get up on that stage and pour themselves into the show. They work so hard and I love to watch that moment when they drop into the full experience and “find” their place on that stage and in the story” says Tracy.

Aladdin, Jr.
Friday, March 27 at 6pm
Saturday, March 28 at 4pm
Sunday, March 29 at 2pm
Owen High School auditorium, Black Mountain NC
Tickets: $10 general admission
Purchase tickets online at www.thelearningcommunity.org.

The Merrell Adventure Dash CANCELLED
Mar 29 @ 4:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Age: All Ages

The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and raft crossing. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult.

Registraion opens March 1, 2020. Check back for more details.
Onsite Registration is available from 1pm – 3:30pm day of. The race starts promptly at 4PM on 5/23/2020.

Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

“Empty Bowls” Flat Rock Backpack Program
Mar 29 @ 5:00 pm
The Episcopal Church of St. John in the WildernessThe Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness
For the fourth year, local pottery artists are firing their kilns to help hungry
children in the greater Flat Rock area.
On Sunday, March 29, 2020, EMPTY BOWLS, a community meal benefitting the Flat Rock Backpack Program.
There are three seatings with suggested reservations, 12:30pm, 5pm and 6pm.
Tickets are $25 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12 years old.
Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal
(a variety of soups, breads and desserts).
Tickets will be available beginning Monday, March 2
at St. John in the Wilderness Parish House Office, from Backpack team members or at the door
on the day of the event. For more information, call 828-693-9783. Credit cards are accepted;
checks should be made out to SJIW, noting Empty Bowls.
Please join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the
year.
Blind Pig Supper Club
Mar 29 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
undisclosed location

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure with a 5 course menu. Undisclosed Location. Menu Undisclosed.Proceeds Benefit Mountain Child Advocacy Center. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here!

Monday, March 30, 2020
Take a Walk in a Park Day Special: Buy 1, Get 1 Free Chimney Rock
Mar 30 all-day
Chimney Rock

Monday, March 30

Take a Walk in a Park Day Special: Buy 1, Get 1 Free

Time: Park hours
Cost: Buy one regular-price adult ticket and get one free when you purchase your tickets online March 30.

Put down your smartphone and join us for National Take A Walk in a Park Day. Getting out into nature has been proven to have a number of therapeutic effects on those who take the time to do it. It’s an excellent way to clear one’s mind from the stresses of everyday life, reenergize, and improve your overall health at the same time. While you’re at it, bring a friend. Receive one free adult admission, when you purchase a full-price adult admission ticket.

This offer is only available for online ticket purchases and is only valid March 30, 2020. We will be posting the promo code on our website and on social media the week of the promotion. Stay tuned.

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Shut down Trailheads
Mar 30 all-day
NC National Forests
National forests COVID-19
FILE image- Pisgah National Forest signage (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
In a press release, National Forests in North Carolina said the decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following popular access sites are affected by these changes:

  • Wayah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Cheoah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Hampton and Dennis Cove Trailheads (Laurel Falls) – Cherokee National Forest
  • Osborne Farm – Cherokee National Forest
  • Max Patch – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Lovers Leap – Pisgah National Forest

For a complete list of access sites affected by these changes visit: fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures

Guidelines for health and safety, recommended by the CDC, are available at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html

See the Cherokee National Forest website for the latest recreation information here: fs.usda.gov/cherokee

For the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.

Natural Impressions: Prints from the Asheville Printmakers CANCELLED
Mar 30 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Early Bird tickets: 23rd annual French Broard River Festival
Mar 31 all-day
Hot Springs Campground & Spa

INTRO-IMAGE_1024px

Kick off spring in the mountains at the 23rd annual French Broad River Festival.  It’s part outdoor adventure, part music festival with whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, kid’s village, camping, great music, and much more.  Painter John, a popular FBRF musician, compares the atmosphere to “a big potluck at your best friend’s house”.  If you’ve been you know . . . what better way to enjoy spring in these mountains?

Weekend passes include camping

$120 online by 3/31/20
$125 online by 4/30/20
$140 at gate
$65 Saturday only
$45 whitewater rafting

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Shut down Trailheads
Mar 31 all-day
NC National Forests
National forests COVID-19
FILE image- Pisgah National Forest signage (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
In a press release, National Forests in North Carolina said the decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following popular access sites are affected by these changes:

  • Wayah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Cheoah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Hampton and Dennis Cove Trailheads (Laurel Falls) – Cherokee National Forest
  • Osborne Farm – Cherokee National Forest
  • Max Patch – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Lovers Leap – Pisgah National Forest

For a complete list of access sites affected by these changes visit: fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures

Guidelines for health and safety, recommended by the CDC, are available at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html

See the Cherokee National Forest website for the latest recreation information here: fs.usda.gov/cherokee

For the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.

Natural Impressions: Prints from the Asheville Printmakers CANCELLED
Mar 31 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Shut down Trailheads
Apr 1 all-day
NC National Forests
National forests COVID-19
FILE image- Pisgah National Forest signage (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
In a press release, National Forests in North Carolina said the decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following popular access sites are affected by these changes:

  • Wayah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Cheoah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Hampton and Dennis Cove Trailheads (Laurel Falls) – Cherokee National Forest
  • Osborne Farm – Cherokee National Forest
  • Max Patch – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Lovers Leap – Pisgah National Forest

For a complete list of access sites affected by these changes visit: fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures

Guidelines for health and safety, recommended by the CDC, are available at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html

See the Cherokee National Forest website for the latest recreation information here: fs.usda.gov/cherokee

For the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.

Natural Impressions: Prints from the Asheville Printmakers CANCELLED
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

Thursday, April 2, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 2 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Shut down Trailheads
Apr 2 all-day
NC National Forests
National forests COVID-19
FILE image- Pisgah National Forest signage (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
In a press release, National Forests in North Carolina said the decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following popular access sites are affected by these changes:

  • Wayah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Cheoah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Hampton and Dennis Cove Trailheads (Laurel Falls) – Cherokee National Forest
  • Osborne Farm – Cherokee National Forest
  • Max Patch – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Lovers Leap – Pisgah National Forest

For a complete list of access sites affected by these changes visit: fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures

Guidelines for health and safety, recommended by the CDC, are available at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html

See the Cherokee National Forest website for the latest recreation information here: fs.usda.gov/cherokee

For the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.

Keeper For A Day at Grandfather Mountain
Apr 2 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Grandfather Mountain

Keeper For A Day

Learn how to interact with the animals, clean up, prepare food and provide enrichments. Observe various training sessions, animal behavior and the inner workings of the animal habitats.

Requirements:

Limited to two persons per day. No pets allowed in habitat area. Keepers for a Day must:

— be 12 years of age or older
— be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain
— sign a waiver of liability

Expected Daily Schedule:

Arrive at 8 a.m., meet the keepers, and go to work! Assist as we let out the animals, feed them and clean their habitats. You may be asked to lift and carry animal food, tools or other items. Learn about training and providing enrichments. End your exciting shift at 11 a.m.

What to Wear:

You will get dirty! Please wear appropriate, closed-toe hiking or work boots and no loose jewelry. Coats, jackets, gloves and hats are recommended for cooler weather. Please bring sunscreen.

Weather:

Keeper for a Day will continue on schedule regardless of weather conditions. In the event that weather conditions could affect the opening of the habitats, you will be contacted.

The weather on Grandfather Mountain can change at a moment’s notice. Temperatures are commonly 5 to 10 degrees colder than what they are at the bottom of the mountain in Linville. It is recommended that you dress in layers and be prepared for any weather condition.

2019 Keeper for a Day Dates

Month Days Time Number
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
May 7, 14, 21, 28 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
June 4, 11, 18, 25 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
August 6, 13, 20, 27 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
September 3, 10, 17, 24 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day

Reservations:

Keeper for a Day must be booked at least one week in advance by calling (828) 733-8715. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Price:

The cost is $75 per participant ($60 each for Bridge Club members). Admission to the park is included.

Natural Impressions: Prints from the Asheville Printmakers CANCELLED
Apr 2 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

Dine with Us at Historic Fernihurst Mansion POSTPONED TBA
Apr 2 @ 5:30 pm
Historic Fernihurst Mansion
The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA) invites you to an evening of fine dining with all proceeds benefiting historic preservation in our area.
Dine with Us at Historic Fernihurst Mansion
Thursday, April 2 @ 5:30pmWith only 24 seats available, this event is sure to sell out quickly!The evening begins at 5:30pm with a reception in first floor library of the beautiful and historic Fernihurst Mansion and includes sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Dinner service will begin promptly at 6:00pm. Prepared by the nationally-recognized and award-winning culinary department at AB-Tech, the all-inclusive, five-course gourmet dinner has become an Asheville-area tradition.

Register below with a credit card, or call us at  to reserve and pay with cash or check.

Membership:
Become a member today and save on this and other upcoming WNCHA events! Not sure about your membership status? Send us an email () and we’ll check.

Seating:
Each table seats four. To be seated together, please register your entire party at the same time or email [email protected].

About Historic Fernihurst Mansion:
Fernihurst Mansion was constructed c1875 for Colonel John Kerr Connally atop Vernon Hill, the highest point in what was once the little town of Victoria. The giant 25-room Italianate-style home was built from bricks handmade from clay mined on the property. Over the next half century, the owners nearly doubled the size of the mansion until it became “a 50 room monstrosity” as one write remarked.  In 1933, the deserted monstrosity was acquired by John P. Curran, who removed 38 rooms and reverted the house back to its original structure. AB-Tech purchased the property in the 1970s and the mansion is now home to AB-Tech’s culinary institute.

N.C. Sierra Club’s Pisgah-Nantahala Campaign Webinar Meeting
Apr 2 @ 7:00 pm
online webinar

 

Sierra Club North Carolina Chapter WENOCA Group
Western North Carolina Sierra Club group (WENOCA) is following guidance from the national Sierra Club to cancel all in-person meetings, events, hikes and outings until at least April 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That date may be extended if needed.

Our April 9 program meeting on the Nantahala/Pisgah forest management plan revision has been rescheduled and adapted so that you can join us safely from your home. The event will now move forward and online, to April 2 at 7 p.m.

Join us for this important meeting! Please register in advance for the webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to log in by computer or call in by phone.

The discussion will feature Sam Evans of Southern Environmental Law Center, Josh Kelly of Mountain True, and David Reid from WENOCA. This webinar will provide background about the Nantahala/Pisgah plan revision that will be critical in helping you submit informed comments to the U.S. Forest Service. (The comment period was due to end on May 14, but the USFS has indicated it will extend the period; no date has yet been set.) You can learn more about the draft plan and get updates on the comment period by signing up at the N.C. Sierra Club’s Pisgah-Nantahala campaign page on AddUp .

We’d love for you to be part of this event and to keep attention on this important issue. Please join us online!

Until further notice, the WENOCA Group has cancelled all hikes, outings and in-person committee meetings. That includes the March 26 showing of the film Ay Mariposa, co-sponsored by WENOCA.

We hope to resume our monthly program meetings soon. We are grateful for your passion and involvement, and want you to continue to be actively involved in our work. So please, for now, keep in touch online! Watch for further information by email, on our website, and on our Facebook page.

Friday, April 3, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 3 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Shut down Trailheads
Apr 3 all-day
NC National Forests
National forests COVID-19
FILE image- Pisgah National Forest signage (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
In a press release, National Forests in North Carolina said the decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following popular access sites are affected by these changes:

  • Wayah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Cheoah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
  • Hampton and Dennis Cove Trailheads (Laurel Falls) – Cherokee National Forest
  • Osborne Farm – Cherokee National Forest
  • Max Patch – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
  • Lovers Leap – Pisgah National Forest

For a complete list of access sites affected by these changes visit: fs.usda.gov/goto/currentclosures

Guidelines for health and safety, recommended by the CDC, are available at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html

See the Cherokee National Forest website for the latest recreation information here: fs.usda.gov/cherokee

For the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.