Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm.  Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.

Yet another reason to love fall in WNC! The front window display of Woolworth Walk will come alive with wildlife as imagined by 17 local artists. Mark your calendars and visit Woolworth Walk in October to purchase your favorite, these works are sure to sell out fast! Not only will you go home with a beautiful piece of art, but you will be supporting the wild ones and the mission of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge!

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, most Buncombe County Public Library branches will reopen to the public with limited hours and services.

The safety of our patrons and staff is our highest priority, and our General Services staff has been working diligently to finish precautions to allow metered access in accordance with the Governor’s orders for 50 percent capacity. We look forward to welcoming you back in person.

The library schedule will be:

• Tuesday, 2-7 p.m.
• Wednesday, 1-6 p.m.
• Thursday, 1-6 p.m.
• Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Sunday & Monday, Closed

Note: The East Asheville Library remains closed for construction and Pack Library will reopen for service at a later date.

During these hours, the libraries will provide in-person check out and browsing. As we comply with reduced occupancy limits, we are encouraging brief “grab and go” visits to allow us to serve a larger number of patrons. Computer use is available, and seating will be provided for computer users only. The meeting rooms and study spaces will not be available for public use.

In-person library programs, including storytime, will not be offered, however, virtual programs will continue to be available. Learn more here. Curbside hold pickups will stop on Oct. 8. Late fees will resume on Oct. 27.

Our local history room is currently undergoing renovations, but the NC Room staff will continue to provide phone and email research assistance at (828) 250-4740 or [email protected].

Per the Governor’s mandate, all persons over the age of five will be asked to wear a face covering for the duration of their visit in the library. If you don’t have a face covering, we can provide one for you.

-Fear The Reaper (Chocolate ice cream made with what was once considered the “World’s Hottest Pepper” will strike fear in even the bravest of culinary adventurers.)

-Bloody Remains (A gruesome scene is unfolded before you by Ashley herself… dark skeletal eyes peer out from a morass of blood and bones beckoning you to dig deeper into a frightfully delicious frozen tomb of raspberry and white chocolate. Brings a whole new meaning to sugar skulls. Mwahahahaha!)

Available Sunday in Pints via our Online Store for curbside pickup at The Creamery Tuesday 2-8pm and Saturday 12-6pm (link to order -> https://my-site-100004-108923.square.site/)…
-Bloody Remains (Ashley’s Scoop Series)
-Shattered Glass
-Fear The Reaper

Debuting Sunday at all The Hop locations and Online Store…
Gothic Waffles (made with the smoldering ash of a zombie fire)
and
Unicorn Poop as a topping (procured from the forests of Jupiter, NC – enter at your own risk!).

Available Tuesday in skull cups, gothic waffles, unicorn poop sundaes, or twisted milkshakes at The Hop on Merrimon, The Hop West, and The Hop Black Mountain…
-Shattered Glass
-Black Death By Chocolate – dairy and vegan

Available Tuesday in Pints at The Hop on Merrimon and The Hop West…
-Fear The Reaper

That is all. And now I shall rest (in peace)….
-Gregory the Ghastly

Make ‘em laugh in a musical comedy class combining silliness and song! This virtual class integrates acting, singing, improv, and movement as actors use their voices, bodies, and imaginations to develop hilarious Broadway repertoire. At the end of the semester, students will share their uproarious musical revue in a one-of-a-kind virtual showcase.

Sep. 24 – Nov. 19
3rd – 5th Grades
Weekly Zoom class, one 20-minute private lesson
Instructors: Anna Kimmell, Matthew Glover

REGISTRATION REQUIRED due to rating. Register on Oct. 1 @ https://bit.ly/3aZRFXo

Asheville Parks and Recreation has teamed up with AB Tech and Black orthodontics to present Movies in the Parking Lot. The FREE movie begins at dusk on a giant outdoor screen in the Parking Lot at AB Tech parking lot on Persistence Drive. Celebrate Halloween with a scary viewing of IT chapter 2, raffles, candy, contest and more! Please come in your favorite COSTUME!

Asheville Parks and Recreation will offer the community a chance for a safe, entertaining change of scenery with a FREE drive-in screening of IT Chapter 2. Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club—young and adult—in a return to where it all began with “IT CHAPTER TWO.” The film is Muschietti’s follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed and massive worldwide box office hit “IT,” which grossed over $700 million globally. Both redefining and transcending the genre, “IT” became part of the cultural zeitgeist as well as the highest-grossing horror film of all time. Rated R. 169 Minutes. REGISTRATION REQUIRED due to the rating!

The movie will be shown in the AB Tech parking lot in the back of the campus on Persistence Drive.
The lot will open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at sunset, approximately 8 p.m. No “walk-in” viewers will be admitted. In case of inclement weather, the film will not be shown and the parking lot will be closed. Please visit our facebook page for updates.

ENTER/EXIT TRAFFIC FLOW: We ask that guests enter on Persistence Drive off Victoria Road, and exit to the left on Fernihurst to Victoria.
Food trucks will be on-site with food for purchase, and handwashing stations and portable toilets will be provided.
Maintaining six-foot social distancing and mask-wearing are required when viewers visit the food trucks or other facilities. Cars will be parked ten feet apart and viewers are encouraged to remain in their vehicles.

Join us and Three Eggs Cakery for a socially distanced Halloween Cookie decorating class! Sip on King Don’s Pumpkin Ale and get step by step expert instructions on how to decorate a dozen Halloween cookies that you can take home!

The Adventure Center of Asheville is excited to be the 2020 venue for the 8th Annual The Haunted Trail presented by Mellow Mushroom. The no-touch no-contact outdoor Haunted Trail is the only Halloween event in Asheville that is ideal for children ages 3-12 years old. Experience a family-friendly heart pumping walk with live actors (at a distance), spooky sounds, and spectacular props. The younger ghouls can enjoy the (actor-free) “Sweet Peek Tour” of the Trail at 6:30pm before it gets dark.
This year The Treetops Adventure Park Aerial Glow Trail will also be available for ages 4 and over. Climb on one family-friendly aerial trail while it is illuminated with thousands of colored twinkle and laser lights.
In addition to the Trails, there will also be spooky live entertainment, no touch activities while in line, and food and beverages available including hot chocolate. It is a perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season with the family.
As the Haunted Trail and the Adventure Center are committed to safety, Social Distancing and Wearing Face Masks (for ages 4 years old and over) are required. The Haunted Trail Scenes will have barriers and at least a 10-foot space between guests and the performers. Guests lining up for both activities will be separated into Family Groups.

Since the onset of the pandemic in March, the YWCA of Asheville has been flexible and sensitive to the needs of our families as they arise. We closed our doors to the public from March–June to provide children of medical professionals and other essential workers with no-cost child care; now we continue to adapt. We have opened a school-age classroom and are now enrolling children in grades Kindergarten-5th who are learning virtually. They will have access to a safe, learning environment, with WiFi access, meals (breakfast, lunch, and snack), outdoor activities, and crafts while guardians work. We accept vouchers for this program. Fees are $433 per month, Priority will be given to families that qualify for vouchers and subsidies OR who have no alternative childcare options. We accept Child Care vouchers. *At this time we are only enrolling full-time attendance.

Please note: Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

Experience the best views of the Fall colors this Autumn at the SkyLift Park and SkyBridge. Numerous photo opportunities, unique Smoky Mountain experiences, hot seasonal drinks, and perfect fall mountain vistas are all waiting for you after conquering the Gatlinburg SkyBridge this Fall. Live music on the SkyDeck will be scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm. Whether you are riding the iconic yellow SkyLift chair, relaxing on the SkyDeck, fueling up in the SkyCenter, conquering the SkyBridge, or exploring the SkyTrail, there will no shortages of family-fun memories for you to cherish after your visit is complete. Autumn is the most beautiful time of year in Gatlinburg, so make sure to take it all in while “above it all” at the the SkyLift Park.

Each day, you can pre-purchase tickets during for a specific time slot, allowing us to maintain safety and limit the number of people at the maze at once.

Time slots to choose from:

• 9-11am
• 11:30am-1:30pm
• 2-4pm
• 4:30-6:30pm

• General Safety Guidelines

  • Masks must be worn at all times, except for children under the age of four years old.
  • Maintain social distancing with those outside your family.
  • There will be a maximum number of attendees at the event at a time. Attendees will register and pre-purchase tickets. You will be able to select the 2-hour block of time you want to attend with your family. Time slots will automatically close once the max limit is reached.
  • Please promptly leave the corn maze when your 2 hour time slot is up, so we can do a cleaning before the next group arrives.
  • Minimize time indoors. You may use the indoor restrooms, and check-in indoors. We will give you a map for the maze and offer pumpkins, t-shirts, and other fun merchandise. But we won’t let you linger! Time to get outside, stay safe, and have fun!
  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event.
    

    .

Welcome to Sky Top Orchard!

We are asking guests to visit on weekdays whenever possible. We offer the same items you love on those days as we do on weekends plus it helps keep crowds down on weekends. Thank you!

The mountains of western North Carolina are full of pick your own u-pick orchards. We offer more. In addition to a long list of apple varieties, visit Sky Top Orchard and you’ll enjoy panoramic mountain views, orchard ponds with ducks and geese, a barnyard area with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, peacocks and more, a bamboo forest to explore, lots of picnic areas and, of course, a mountaintop of fragrant apple and fruit trees. View our downloadable map to see all that we have to offer and visit our picking schedule to find out what’s available now.

When you purchase a bushel of apples, a wagon load of pumpkins or a cooler full of apple cider you’ll take home more than the makings for delicious fall recipes, you’ll take home a mountain of memories too. And don’t forget our famous apple cider doughnuts. They’re an autumn tradition. We bet you can’t eat just one.

Ready to join us on top of our mountain? Plan Your Visit Today!

To keep guests and our staff safe, we require face masks (covering both nose and mouth) by employees and guests in any area where social distancing is difficult so plan to wear them in the fruit stand, in line for doughnuts, in any areas that are not out in the orchard where you are picking. You must also maintain a distance of 6 feet in all lines and areas where you encounter others.

Wortham Center in collaboration with Hola Community Arts presents
Día de los Muertos Art Installation: Catrinas by Margarita Figueroa
Self-Guided, Physically Distanced Tours

In celebration of Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead, Hola Community Arts presents the work of renowned Mexican artist Margarita Figueroa at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts October 21 – November 2.  

Margarita Figueroa sculpts whimsical, life-size Catrinas in the Alambroide technique, which consists of wire-structured figures covered with papier-mâché and painted with acrylic colors.

Catrina, an elegant, skeletal woman made famous by printmaker José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s, is one of the most recognizable figures in the Day of the Dead holiday and still permeates and influences Mexican Folk Art today.

The Día de los Muertos holiday has expanded beyond its roots in Mexico to provide comfort and community to those who have lost loved ones in cultures around the world.

“Día de los Muertos is distinctly different from Halloween in origin, celebration and culture. Día de los Muertos is truly a joyous celebration of life and the beauty of remembering those who have come before us,” says Adriana Chavela, executive director of Hola Community Arts. “During this celebration, the dead sort of become a part of the living world, as families tell stories and reflect on memories of them.”

The Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd throughout Latin America, but is more closely associated with Mexico, where it originated.

About Hola Community Arts 
Hola Community Arts is building bridges between cultures, embracing diversity and creating more economically vibrant communities. We recognize the power of the arts to challenge and shift perceptions, spark creativity and connect people across cultures. HOLA Community Arts is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3). Donations are welcome. Learn more at www.holacommunityarts.org.

COVID-19 Visiting Policy

Masks are required when entering the museum. This is for the safety of our visitors and our docents. Exceptions will be made according to ADA instructions. Visitors must make a reservation to visit the museum. Self Guided tour reservations are available Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. To make a reservation you can call (828) 669- 9566, register at the front desk, or click here. 

ACCESSIBILITY
The first floor houses our traveling exhibit gallery and our second floor houses “Our Pathways” exhibit.  The first and second floor are accessible by ADA standards.  A lift is available to take visitors to the second floor.

Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm.  Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.

Yet another reason to love fall in WNC! The front window display of Woolworth Walk will come alive with wildlife as imagined by 17 local artists. Mark your calendars and visit Woolworth Walk in October to purchase your favorite, these works are sure to sell out fast! Not only will you go home with a beautiful piece of art, but you will be supporting the wild ones and the mission of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge!