River Arts Tour
Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Friday, April
30, 2021
Sustainability Consulting w/ Organic Growers School
Victoria: The Forgotten Town Walking Tour
Virtual Arts + Crafts Home Tours
Tour a Local Greenway w/ GPS based tour app: TravelStorys
Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Biltmore Gardens Railway
Biltmore: Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for private, pre-booked tours
The Garden Helpline Is OPEN. Master Gardeners Work Remotely to Answer Your Questions
Tip-Based Walking Tour
Need help with your farm, garden, or homestead?
Contact us for a free 20 minute call helping you to identify your needs and goals and assess which service might be right for you. We offer a wide variety of consulting services—with hourly follow-up support and reduced fees available—including:
- Assessment of land that you own or want to purchase.
- Sustainability systems on your farm, garden, or homestead.
- Guidance for your land-based project.
How the process works:
Step 1: We talk on the phone to identify your goals and needs.
Step 2: We select a service and price that best meets your needs.
Step 3: We set up a time for an in-person site visit or video call
Step 4: We coach you through a self-assessment process.
Step 5: We have our virtual or in-person site visit.
Step 6: We invoice you.
Step 7: We follow up with you with next steps, referrals, report, etc.
Projects Suitable for Consulting
Site Assessment, Earthworks, Water Catchment, Renewable energy, Garden Design &Installation, Orchards, Food Self Reliance, Soil Testing, Animal Systems, Ponds, Greenhouse, Barn & Shed Construction, Sustainable Forestry, Hardscaping, Landscaping, Mapping Your Land, Conservation, Composting, Pasture Management, Companion Planting, Organic Weed, Pest, & Disease Management, Food Storage & Preservation, Herb Gardens, Beekeeping, Wild Plant ID, Farm Planning, Land Design.
Need help with your farm, garden or land?
We offer a wide variety of consulting services—with hourly follow-up support and reduced fees available.
Contact us for a free 20 minute call helping you to identify your needs and goals and assess which service might be right for you.
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| Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts). |
Join us for this virtual tour of three wonderful Asheville homes! The tour link will be sent to you to watch at your convenience. Thank you for your support of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County and our work in the community!
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The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.
Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.
Included with admission
A unique-to-Biltmore, large-scale outdoor sculpture will be crafted and installed in Antler Hill Village this spring by Patrick Dougherty. Over the last three decades, this internationally-acclaimed artist has combined his carpentry skills and love of nature to build over 300 of these wondrous works, captivating the hearts and imaginations of viewers worldwide.
Image: Close Ties (2006) Scottish Basketmakers Circle, Dingwall, Scotland. Photo: Fin Macrae
NOTE: This is an example of Patrick Dougherty’s work; the artist will create Biltmore’s unique structure in Antler Hill Village this spring.
We are OPEN Fridays and Saturdays
for private, pre-booked tours at:
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:00 PM
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This insider excursion provides you with tips and local secrets about the best way to do Asheville on a budget! You will have a better understanding of how Asheville became the unique, quirky city you see now and learn everything we are doing to “Keep Asheville Weird.” This is the only walking tour provided that allows you to choose how much you think a walking tour is worth and pay whatever you like. We will follow the urban trail, stop along the way for some free honey tastings and finish the tour with some special beer tastings at one of the best local breweries in South Slope! At the brewery, you will also be able to participate in a free raffle where you receive gifts donated from local businesses like free salsa classes, local theatre performances, books and more! I want you to know and love my city as much as I do and I am excited to share this experience with you!
Pay what you want at the end!
Downtown Tour
We will meet at Pack Square where the road cuts through the park! I will be wearing a free walking tour Tshirt
My parking recommendations are either street parking in the square or the Aloft parking deck on Biltmore Ave. If it’s a weekend, there should be free parking on the streets but be sure to check the meter! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have!
We will meet outside of the Magentic Theatre and your guide will be wearing a blue T-shirt !
I recommend parking in the public parking lot directly beside the theatre for free parking close to the meeting spot!
Saturday, May
1, 2021
ASAP’s 2021 Local Food Guide Is Out Now
Driving Tour with Smith-McDowell House
Gardening Video: Gardening for All Abilities—Gardening for a Lifetime
Gardening Video: Using Repellents to Control Nuisance Animals in the Garden
Haunted Asheville Tour
Organic Growers School Mentor Services
Private Caboose Party
Rail + Trail
Self-Guided WNC Tours
Sustainability Consulting w/ Organic Growers School
Victoria: The Forgotten Town Walking Tour
Virtual Arts + Crafts Home Tours
31st Annual Asheville Herb Festival
Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Biltmore Gardens Railway
Biltmore: Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty
Sand Hill Community Garden Workdays
Neighborhood TreeKeeper Presentation Series for New Members
Tip-Based Walking Tour
Guided Trail Walk
he 2021 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists Appalachian GrownTM certified farms, farmers tailgate markets, restaurants, and travel destinations throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. You can also view a digital version of the print Guide at asapconnections.org/guide.
The 2021 print edition of the Local Food Guide includes:
200+ Appalachian Grown farms, plus charts to easily locate farms offering u-pick, farm stands, lodging, visitor activities, and CSAs;
80+ farmers tailgate markets, plus information about holiday markets and a list of markets that operate in the winter;
80+ partner businesses, including restaurants, groceries, wholesalers, artisan producers, and travel destinations.
Articles and photography throughout the Guide highlight the unique farm stories and beauty of the region. This year’s Guide features The AppaLatin Farmstead, Colfax Creek Farm, Headwaters Market Garden, Kituwah Farm, New Roots Market Garden, and TK Family Farm. A primer on eating seasonally includes simple, vegetable-focused recipes.
As part of ASAP’s Appalachian Grown program, staff connects with markets, farms, and businesses to update listings each year. The Local Food Guide offers the most accurate, up-to-date information for consumers. ASAP also maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org throughout the year. This database, including 1,350 listings, is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.
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 Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.
The 2021 Local Food Guide is made possible with support from the USDA, Buncombe County Strategic Partnership fund, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Pisgah Health Foundation, and Asheville Regional Airport.
ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.
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| The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.
This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house. |
Are your special needs or changing physical abilities keeping you out of the garden? Are your garden chores becoming more challenging? Do you know how to select tools and equipment that will keep you healthy and safe in the garden? In this presentation Mary Hugenschmidt and Suzanne Wodek, Master Gardener Volunteers and longtime teachers of therapeutic horticulture, will tell us about ergonomic tools, garden structures and design, and proper body mechanics to get us back in the garden and keep us gardening for life.
Gardening in the Mountains presents: Presenter: Phil Roudebush, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer Products promising to rid your garden of voles, rabbits, deer, raccoons, and snakes fill garden store shelves. But which to use and are they effective? In this 20-minute video, Phil outlines the various types of repellents on the market today. He steps through “best way to use” rules, product content, application methods, and safety for edibles. Phil contrasts product research and development methods with the home garden environment and actively growing plants. He leaves the viewer with an assessment of the most effective repellents and a better understanding of their usefulness.
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| Asheville, and the surrounding mountains, have also hosted numerous writers, musicians, and folklorists who have promoted (if not possibly created) some of these legends. Perhaps these are some of the reasons lore permeates the streets, hills, and valleys of this mountain city. You can see many of these sites for yourself, if you dare. |
Erica was a HUGE supporter of my farm and was a major part in my expansion. Without the support and help from her, I am not sure I could have done this!
The purpose of the Mentor Services program is to support beginning and intermediate farmers by partnering them with experienced regional farmers who can provide them with one-on-one practical planning skills in the areas of:
- farm design and production
- marketing and business development
- systems management
- connecting them to the regional farming community
By serving as Mentors, regional farmers will be able to pass on the skills and knowledge that they possess to other farmers and help to build collaboration and community among the farming community.
Who is eligible to apply
We are looking for farmers who have been farming at least 1 year and/or have worked as a farm manager.
Preference is given to graduates of Farm Beginnings® (or other relevant farmer training programs) and members of CRAFT.
Each applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis. Farming partners who apply jointly will receive one mentor.
We are also offering a limited number of mentorships focused on forest farming, in partnership with Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition. These will be offered as free or reduced fee mentorships. If you are interested, you can indicate that on your application.
Ride in style on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad aboard your very own restored Caboose. These are great for family reunions, birthday parties, private meetings, corporate field trips or just any time!
Our cabooses accommodate up to 15 people with seating on the main level and in the cupola. (And, remember, babies are people, too!) The cabooses feature heat, private bathrooms, windows that can be opened, and open air vestibules at each end for unobstructed views. Advanced reservations are required and availability of caboose rentals are limited.
A platter of cheese and crackers, and an assortment of 15 bottled Coca-Cola products are included. Plus, the caboose is the only place where you can bring your own food and drink (please, no alcohol) in picnic baskets or coolers.
You can charter the caboose on:
Best value for small groups and private parties up to 15 passengers. Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
Enjoy this trip combining the Great Smoky Mountains Railroads trip with the Waterfall Jeep® tour. You’ll begin your trip in Bryson City, NC, with a 2 hour (approximate) railroad excursion over Fontana Lake and into the Nantahala Gorge. As you travel on the train, watch paddlers challenge the rapids. At the top of the line, disembark from the train and climb aboard Wildwater’s customized Jeep® for a 2-hour (approximate) personal exploration up the mountain, past waterfalls and lakes, up to the Appalachian Trail and back. A delicious deli lunch is included.
Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
* Children 40 – 80 lbs. are required to sit in the front passenger seat with the airbag disengaged using a child booster seat. Children 80 lbs. or greater will sit in the back using a lap seat belt. If there is more than one child in the 40 – 80 lb. range, the second child will sit in the back using a lap belt.
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| Western North Carolina is defined as much by the various chains and valleys within the Appalachian Mountains as it is by the various people here. The region contains large swaths of national forest lands and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It contains old rivers and old folkways, along with an increasingly large stream of transplants and temporary visitors. This virtual tour gives a broad overview of our region. |
Need help with your farm, garden, or homestead?
Contact us for a free 20 minute call helping you to identify your needs and goals and assess which service might be right for you. We offer a wide variety of consulting services—with hourly follow-up support and reduced fees available—including:
- Assessment of land that you own or want to purchase.
- Sustainability systems on your farm, garden, or homestead.
- Guidance for your land-based project.
How the process works:
Step 1: We talk on the phone to identify your goals and needs.
Step 2: We select a service and price that best meets your needs.
Step 3: We set up a time for an in-person site visit or video call
Step 4: We coach you through a self-assessment process.
Step 5: We have our virtual or in-person site visit.
Step 6: We invoice you.
Step 7: We follow up with you with next steps, referrals, report, etc.
Projects Suitable for Consulting
Site Assessment, Earthworks, Water Catchment, Renewable energy, Garden Design &Installation, Orchards, Food Self Reliance, Soil Testing, Animal Systems, Ponds, Greenhouse, Barn & Shed Construction, Sustainable Forestry, Hardscaping, Landscaping, Mapping Your Land, Conservation, Composting, Pasture Management, Companion Planting, Organic Weed, Pest, & Disease Management, Food Storage & Preservation, Herb Gardens, Beekeeping, Wild Plant ID, Farm Planning, Land Design.
Need help with your farm, garden or land?
We offer a wide variety of consulting services—with hourly follow-up support and reduced fees available.
Contact us for a free 20 minute call helping you to identify your needs and goals and assess which service might be right for you.
|
| Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts). |
Join us for this virtual tour of three wonderful Asheville homes! The tour link will be sent to you to watch at your convenience. Thank you for your support of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County and our work in the community!
The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.
Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.
Included with admission
A unique-to-Biltmore, large-scale outdoor sculpture will be crafted and installed in Antler Hill Village this spring by Patrick Dougherty. Over the last three decades, this internationally-acclaimed artist has combined his carpentry skills and love of nature to build over 300 of these wondrous works, captivating the hearts and imaginations of viewers worldwide.
Image: Close Ties (2006) Scottish Basketmakers Circle, Dingwall, Scotland. Photo: Fin Macrae
NOTE: This is an example of Patrick Dougherty’s work; the artist will create Biltmore’s unique structure in Antler Hill Village this spring.
Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.
Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.
Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.
Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.
NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.
To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
Asheville GreenWorks Neighborhood Tree Keeper Training is a 2-day virtual workshop series with 1 in-person, socially distant learning day, designed to teach you everything you need to know to care for the urban trees in your community. We are looking for applicants who are at least 18 years old and live in Asheville or the surrounding area. After completion of both workshops, participants will join our cohort of Neighborhood Tree Keepers to help us care for and plant trees in the places we love to live!
**Participants MUST complete all workshops in order to join our Neighborhood Tree Keeper program.**
4/29/2021:
12-1:15: Benefits of an Urban Forest- Scott Alba (Board Certified Master Arborist)
1-2:15: Trees 101- Scott Alba (Board Certified Master Arborist)
4/30/2021:
12-1:15: Tree Planting and Care- Eric Bradford (AGW Director of Operations)
1:15-2:15: TreeKeeper Roles & Responsibilities- Kris Medic (Board Certified Master Arborist)
5/1/2021: In-person learning day
12-12:30- Meet and Greet
12:30- 2- Nursery Tour & Training
These workshops are being performed for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville
This insider excursion provides you with tips and local secrets about the best way to do Asheville on a budget! You will have a better understanding of how Asheville became the unique, quirky city you see now and learn everything we are doing to “Keep Asheville Weird.” This is the only walking tour provided that allows you to choose how much you think a walking tour is worth and pay whatever you like. We will follow the urban trail, stop along the way for some free honey tastings and finish the tour with some special beer tastings at one of the best local breweries in South Slope! At the brewery, you will also be able to participate in a free raffle where you receive gifts donated from local businesses like free salsa classes, local theatre performances, books and more! I want you to know and love my city as much as I do and I am excited to share this experience with you!
Pay what you want at the end!
Downtown Tour
We will meet at Pack Square where the road cuts through the park! I will be wearing a free walking tour Tshirt
My parking recommendations are either street parking in the square or the Aloft parking deck on Biltmore Ave. If it’s a weekend, there should be free parking on the streets but be sure to check the meter! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have!
River Arts Tour
We will meet outside of the Magentic Theatre and your guide will be wearing a blue T-shirt !
I recommend parking in the public parking lot directly beside the theatre for free parking close to the meeting spot!
Hit the trails and learn more about the Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2021! In response to COVID-19, new safety measures have been put in place to protect our guests, members, volunteers and staff: Walks will be limited to 10 people, including the guide, and all participants will be required to wear face coverings for the duration of the walk.
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, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks depart from the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby every Tuesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. through the month of October. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours and are approximately one to two miles in length, and as such are recommended for guests 14 years or older. Walks are held rain or shine, so all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
Register In Advance
Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Pre-registered participants must check in at the Baker Information Desk no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled program to keep their spot. Unclaimed spots will be offered to other guests.
Guests may sign up for trail walks in the following ways:
- Pre-register online
- Sign up in-person at the Baker Information Desk.