2013 Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony

On Monday, May 27, the City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee on Veterans Affairs and Buncombe County presented the 2013 Memorial Day ceremony at Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park. The ceremony commemorates the sacrifice and service that men and women have given in the name of protecting the nation, and was attended by veterans and [...]

2022 Asheville Outdoor Public Space Festivals & Events brochure now available

The City of Asheville’s 2022 Events Brochure is now available on Issuu.com.   The brochure is more than just a directory highlighting fun things to do. The festivals and events brochure is a tool to assist the community for vendor, exhibitor, marketing, and volunteer opportunities. Looking for tips on planning an event? The online [...]

A good night to get to know your neighbors: National Night Out Crime Prevention Kick-Off Rally Aug. 5

The Asheville Police and Fire Departments and Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, with the sponsorship support of Target, Inc., will host a local National Night Out (NNO) kick-off event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.   NNO is a nationwide, annual crime prevention and community policing event. NNO events are designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and community-law enforcement [...]

Area managers keep the festival on its feet

Harry McDaniels is walking in front of the Asheville Art Museum carrying a stack of Bele Chere schedules to deliver to one of the festival’s information booths. It’s details like that, large and small, that Bele Chere Area Managers have to keep on their radars for three days to make sure the festival’s moving parts [...]

Asheville Downtown Association to host virtual Fourth of July Celebration showcasing local musicians and venues

Featured artists announced   The Asheville Downtown Association will host a virtual Independence Day Celebration on the Fourth of July. Set to begin at 4 p.m., the online concert event is presented by Ingles Markets, with support from Explore Asheville, and produced in partnership with the City of Asheville. Featured artists include:   BoogiTherapi with Ryan RNB Barber – funk [...]

Asheville Fire Department Sept. 11 memorial service and recognition of firefighters

On Saturday, September 11, members of the Asheville Fire Department and their families gathered at the Grove Park Inn to participate in a ceremony commemorating firefighters who served and died in the 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. The ceremony was presided over by Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnette, who [...]

Asheville Holiday Parade returns — and here’s your guide to the fun

  The 2021 Asheville Holiday Parade returns to downtown this Saturday, November 20, beginning at 11 a.m.   Produced by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville, the parade features more than 75 entries including bands, dance and cheer squads, youth sports, nonprofits,  businesses and of course Mr. Santa and Mrs. [...]

Asheville Holiday Parade returns — and here’s your guide to the fun

The 2022 Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles, returns to downtown this Saturday, November 19, beginning at 11 a.m.  Produced by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville, the parade features more than 75 entries including marching bands, dance and cheer squads, youth sports, nonprofits,  businesses and of course [...]

Asheville Holiday Parade to impact bus routes, include street closings

  The Asheville Downtown Association’s annual Asheville Holiday Parade happens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, in downtown Asheville. The parade route runs up Biltmore Avenue to Pack Square, then turns to go down Patton Avenue. Hundreds show up for this festive community event, so please plan ahead. There will be traffic and bus route [...]

Asheville Mardi Gras Parade happens Sunday downtown

Photo by AshevilleMardiGras.org   There will be street closings associated with the celebration   You don’t have to go to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras — Asheville has its own Mardi Gras Parade! This year’s 10th annual parade kicks off at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 on Wall Street downtown, winding its way onto Battery Park Avenue, then left onto Haywood [...]

Asheville Mardi Gras Parade returns to South Slope, bringing fun along with traffic/parking impacts

    This Sunday, Feb. 23, the Asheville Mardi Gras Parade  returns to the South Slope. The parade begins at 3 p.m. Lineup and float assembly will take place in surface parking lots along Asheland Avenue. The parade begins on Hilliard Avenue at Asheland Avenue, down south Coxe Avenue and wraps along the streets of [...]

Asheville Mardi Gras Parade returns, bringing fun along with traffic, parking impacts

  This Sunday, March 3, the Asheville Mardi Gras Parade  returns to the South Slope. The parade begins at 3 p.m. Lineup and float assembly will take place in surface parking lots along Federal Alley. The parade will assemble on Federal Alley, make a quick turnaround Hilliard Avenue and formally begin at the top of Coxe [...]

Asheville neighborhoods invited to participate in National Night Out

  National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie. Join the rest of the nation in getting to know your neighbors and “give crime and drugs a going away party.” National Night Out is a national event celebrated by communities all around the country.   The 2019 [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation accepting art submissions for Black Legacy Month pop-up gallery

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) invites local artists of all mediums to submit pieces to display during a pop-up gallery celebrating Black Legacy Month from Feb 17-28 at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center . Participants should register online at https://bit.ly/APR_Call_for_Artists and drop off submissions between Feb. 13-16. [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation brings free movies under the stars to Pack Square Park

 Asheville Parks & Recreation brings free movies under the stars to Pack Square Park A tradition for many mountain families returns to Pack Square Park on Friday, May 13. Asheville Parks & Recreation’s popular Movies in the Park series begins its 2022 season with a showing of Encanto. Community members are invited to bring [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation celebrates Black culture with special events in February

Throughout the year, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) and its partners share unique stories, rich culture, and opportunities for all community members to reflect on Black history, heritage, and hope. Programming staff are hosting events at community centers in February to celebrate Black History and Legacy Month. “February is a time to recognize, [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation celebrates the city’s legacy of Black excellence with special events throughout February

Throughout the year, Asheville Parks & Recreation and its partners share unique stories, rich culture, and opportunities for all community members to reflect on Black history across the city. During Black History Month, the department invites residents to explore more and discover the achievements, contributions, and journeys of Black heritage.

Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts Flapjacks & Feedback to share Walton Street Park updates

Southside residents and regular Walton Street Park visitors are invited to a free pancake breakfast to share thoughts on design preferences for the park’s facelift. Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) team members will be on hand with surveys and information during Flapjacks & Feedback on Saturday, November 12, from 10:30 a.m. until [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation offers free and low-cost summer fun throughout the city

“Like many of you, I look back fondly on fun memories made over the summers of my life meeting new friends at summer day camps, discovering new interests by exploring the green space and waterway at my local neighborhood park, and gaining professional experience working at my community center pool.” So begins the welcome letter [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation warms up December with celebrations for kids, families, and older adults

As the magic of the holidays comes to the mountains, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) has plenty of fun, festive celebrations to make the season merry and bright for the young and young-at-heart during Holly Jolly Holidays from December 2-16. Space is limited, so advance registration is strongly recommended even if an event [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation warms up December with celebrations for kids, families, and seniors during Holly Jolly Holidays

  The magic of the holidays comes to the mountains this month and Asheville Parks & Recreation has plenty of fun, festive celebrations to make the season merry and bright for the young and young-at-heart during Holly Jolly Holidays from December 3-15. In addition to these warm and cozy indoor events, City parks offer [...]

Asheville Special Events office launches monthly open houses

  Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 19, the City of Asheville will begin a series of monthly informal, open house/community meeting opportunities to meet with businesses and residents who are interested in producing special events within Asheville city limits. Whether the event is held on public or private property, indoors or outside, the objective is to help guide [...]

Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony 2012

Monday, May 28 saw the commemoration of Memorial Day in a ceremony held on Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park and presented by The City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee on Veterans Affairs and Buncombe County. The ceremony commemorates the sacrifice and service that men and women have given in the name of protecting the nation, [...]

Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony to be held in Pack Square Park

  The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. May 27 at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Stage, Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park.   The ceremony will feature short readings by Brothers Like These veterans that will recount their real-life experiences in service. Major General Rick Devereaux, US Air [...]

Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony to be held in Pack Square Park

The City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee for Veterans Affairs will host the annual Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony on the Roger McGuire Green stage in Pack Square Park starting at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2016. Featured will be the award winning Fort Bragg North Carolina Ground Forces Band with musical performances before and after as [...]

Asheville’s new Xpand Fest hits South Slope Saturday with a caution: Please move your car

Asheville band The Broadcast will be an Xpand Fest headliner.   Finding a parking place on Asheville’s popular South Slope is almost as coveted as that first sip of the latest local brew. Once you’ve landed, however, folks can browse from microbrewery to barbecue joint — even chancing on the occasional speakeasy-type dive. The cachet of the South [...]

Asheville’s SoCon hoops action returns! Here’s your guide to the tournament

A guide to special events, links to the matchups, parking information and more The Ingles Southern Conference Men’s and Woman’s Basketball Tournament returns to the ExploreAsheville.com Arena on March 7-11. Tickets are still available and there are lots of special events planned to coincide with the tournament, such as the Downtown Dribble, Hometown Heroes Night and Teddy Bear [...]

Burton Street Community Center celebrates Hispanic heritage on October 21

Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton Street) is becoming known for fun events that explore Hispanic and Latino heritage. From the quirky Cinco de Star War to monthly Latin cuisine classes with Chef Martina Valdez, the center has successfully struck a balance between creating authentic, welcoming spaces for Hispanic and Latino families that are [...]

Celebrate Black History Month with Asheville Parks and Recreation movies, discussions and dinners

  In recognition of Black History Month this February, Asheville Parks and Recreation is producing a number of programs at community centers across the city.  All events are free and open to the public.   Feb. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.: Community Movie Night screening of “Selma” Location:  Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St. Contact: 828-259-5483 or [...]

Celebrate Holiday Tails at the WNC Nature Center

From the WNC Nature Center. This is always a fun time to come out and see the critters: The Western North Carolina Nature Center celebrates winter with its popular “Holiday Tails” event on Saturday December 1st from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The event will feature games, crafts, special animal presentations and a special visit from [...]

City launches inaugural Winter Lights Downtown

The Winter Lights Downtown display in Pack Square Park West features a sequence of 7 colors shining on 8 trees.   The City of Asheville launched an exciting new holiday light display this season called Winter Lights Downtown. The seasonally bright display is centered around the Vance Monument and Hoss Haley fountain area of Pack Square Park, [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County announce public engagement opportunities and events to inform the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project

The public is invited to learn more about the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project and to provide input that helps create a shared vision for the future of the area.  The public is invited to help shape the future of Western North Carolina’s most central civic space by attending one or more special engagement events for [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County Community Reparations Commission meets August 15, 2022

The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission will take place 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall at 87 Haywood Street.  The Commission meeting agenda is posted at this link. The Community Reparations Commission is empowered to make short, medium, and long-term recommendations that will make significant progress toward [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County Community Reparations Commission meets Jan. 9, 2023

The next scheduled meeting for the Community Reparations Commission is Monday, January 9, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.  This schedule change is due to the MLK Holiday. The meeting will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall at 87 Haywood Street at 6:00 p.m.   The Commission meeting agenda will be posted at this link You [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County postpone Art in Heart kick off due to weather

Pardon our Delay! Due to weather conditions this weekend, the kick off for Art in the Heart will be delayed. But don't worry, you'll still get a chance to see all the exciting art and local artists participating in the program.  Please keep checking our website, as we will update it with the new schedule.  

City of Asheville announces Ben Woody to serve as Assistant City Manager

Asheville City Manager, Debra Campbell, is pleased to announce that Ben Woody, who has served as the Interim Assistant City Manager since June, has accepted the position of Assistant City Manager.   Ben will carry out administrative duties while also assisting the City Manager with the direction and coordination of activities of assigned City department directors, as [...]

City of Asheville announces Fourth of July holiday schedule

    In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, which is on a Saturday this year, City of Asheville offices will be closed July 3. ART bus service will operate on a reduced holiday schedule July 4. The Fourth of July holiday is one of six holidays throughout the calendar year that ART offers bus service. For [...]

City of Asheville announces projects funded by BCTDA Tourism Product Development Fund

The City of Asheville is pleased to announce projects that have received funding from the BCTDA Tourism Product Development Fund. Funding was announced at the Tourism Development Authority Board meeting on October 26. All four of the city’s applications received funding, with the top three priorities receiving funding at 100% of the requested amount. [...]

City of Asheville Awarded $4.2 Million From the Federal Transit Administration for New Buses

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced the City of Asheville has been awarded $4.2 million from the Low-and No-Emission Program to invest in purchasing new transit buses for the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) fleet. The $4.2 million will allow the City of Asheville to purchase six hybrid replacement buses and three replacement [...]

City of Asheville celebrates National Public Works Week

National Public Works week is underway! We want to take a moment to recognize the City of Asheville Public Works Department staff  who make our community run every day.  From Streets to Sanitation, Fleet Management to Stormwater, our Public Works teams are  #ReadyAndResilient   Please join us all week in recognizing and thanking our teams for the work that goes [...]

City of Asheville government to close for Memorial Day, host virtual Memorial Day ceremony

  ART buses to run on holiday schedule   City of Asheville government will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day. City facilities remain closed to the public at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though some parks have reopened. During this public health emergency, City employees have continued their work, some in the field, such as in [...]

City of Asheville honors our service women and men with virtual ceremony this Veterans Day

  The City of Asheville will once again honor our local Veterans with a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11. Due to health precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public is invited to participate virtually.   The Veterans Day ceremony can be viewed online on the City of Asheville YouTube channel. The program will [...]

City of Asheville invites you to experience the latest art installation for Art in the Heart

Art in the Heart is a way to unite, heal, and strengthen the community. The goal is to use art to spark conversation and ideas on how to make Pack Square Plaza –a central gathering place and hub of activity for the region– a place that reflects Asheville’s diverse community. The program [...]

City of Asheville joins with community partners to celebrate Earth Week April 21-23

The City of Asheville is joining with community partners for a weekend full of Earth Day events and family-friendly activities. The City of Asheville, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Equinox, GreenWorks, New Belgium Brewing, Organic Grower’s School, Mountain True and RiverLink are hosting Asheville Earth Week on April 21, 22, and 23. With multiple events at different [...]

City of Asheville offices close for Memorial Day holiday; Sanitation and ART buses run on holiday schedule

The City of Asheville offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, May 30, a federally designated holiday that honors military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces.     Here is a roundup of other City services affected by this holiday, as well as [...]

City of Asheville offices close for Thanksgiving holiday

ART bus service suspended on Thanksgiving Day as well   Asheville City government offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Here is a roundup of City service holiday schedules.   ART bus service ART bus service will be suspended Nov. 22, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving is one [...]

City of Asheville offices closed for Veterans Day, ART buses to run on regular schedule

In observance of Veterans Day, the City of Asheville offices will be closed Friday, November 11, 2022. The City of Asheville and partner agencies will honor our local Veterans during a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11. The in-person ceremony will take place Friday, November 11, 2022,  11 a.m. at Charles George VA Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville.

City of Asheville parking garage signs and “Find Parking” maintenance complete just in time for SoCon Tournament

The City of Asheville parking availability signs and the “Find Parking” feature on the Asheville app are up and running, just in time for the SoCon tournament in downtown Asheville this weekend.  Signs mounted on the outside of City maintained parking garages now accurately display the number of parking spaces [...]

City of Asheville to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks for our community

  The City of Asheville will put on a fireworks display downtown for the Fourth of July! However, for this year, there will be no accompanying festival activities. While there will be no food or drink vendors at the park, people are welcome to bring their own picnic or order take-out from a favorite restaurant.   There will [...]

City of Asheville to hold 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony

  The City of Asheville will hold a 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the City Municipal Building, 100 Court Plaza. This event is to pay solemn tribute to those who heroically sacrificed their own lives to save thousands of others, and to remember those who helped in the rescue-recovery efforts that followed [...]

City of Asheville to hold workshops on strategic event partnerships

    The City of Asheville will soon be accepting proposals from qualified, nonprofit organizations based in Asheville and Buncombe County who wish to establish strategic event partnerships with the City for calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022.   Downtown After 5 is an example of an event conducted under a strategic event partnership, one in which the City [...]

City of Asheville to launch Information Sharing and Truth Telling Speaker Series

    The Information Sharing and Truth Telling Speaker Series is the first phase of the City of Asheville’s process to deliver community reparations for Black Asheville. The series will include local and national speakers who share information about past policies, present trends and disparities, and future initiatives. The community will have opportunities to participate. Please join [...]

City of Asheville to observe its first Juneteenth holiday 

    On June 18, Asheville City offices will be closed in observance of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Technically on June 19, it marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally  told they were free. These enslaved people learned they were free two years after [...]

City of Asheville to release climate change resource guide and share renewable energy initiative findings

  Resource information Find information page about climate resilience initiative here. The Climate Resilience Resource Guide is posted on that page. Here is a direct link. Find information about the 100% renewable energy initiative here.   Original post: Interested in local energy and climate issues? Come to the City of [...]

City of Asheville to share updates on Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park at community events

Representatives from the City of Asheville’s Parks & Recreation and Capital Projects departments will present updates on the Phase II improvements to Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park at upcoming community events. Community members can view project renderings and discuss planned improvements with staff members. As defined by City Council during its March [...]

City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Veterans Council to host LIVE  Memorial Day Ceremony

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 3:00 p.m. May 30, 2022 at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park.   The ceremony will feature short readings by Brothers And Sisters Like These Veterans Writing Group who write to heal the wounds of war. Pastor Spencer [...]

City of Asheville, Buncombe County to host virtual Memorial Day Ceremony and here’s how you can view it 

  This year’s Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony will be held as a virtual ceremony, because of the need for physical distance with the State of Emergency posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The keynote speaker will be Anne Adkins, a Gold Star Mother who lost her son Matthew during his active duty in Iraq.   The ceremony, planned in [...]

City of Asheville, Buncombe County to host virtual Memorial Day Ceremony and here’s how you can view it 

    Because of the continued need for physical distance posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony will again be held as a virtual ceremony.   John Mason The keynote speaker will be USMC Veteran John Mason, who was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal for Valor during his time in Vietnam 1968 [...]

Community Input request on Nasty Branch Greenway historic signs extended to April 1, 2023

The City of Asheville requests input from past and current Southside residents on the Nasty Branch Greenway historic sign drafts. Input will be collected through a survey that will close on April 1, 2023. Additionally, those who would prefer to give input by phone can reach out to Hayley [...]

Community invited to groundbreaking for community center expansion on April 28

Asheville Parks & Recreation invites community members to celebrate the expansion of Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr., Southside Community Center (285 Livingston Street) during a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 28. Brief remarks from Mayor Esther Manheimer, Parks & Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt, and a student from the after school program begin promptly at [...]

Community invited to Senior Games 2023 opening ceremony

All community members are invited to celebrate older athletes and artists during the opening ceremony for this year’s Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and SilverArts (ABSGSA) on Thursday, March 30, from 2-5 p.m. at Carrier Park. There will be music, refreshments, brief remarks, and giveaways throughout the day. The ceremony is free and allows [...]

Community marks 10 years since 9/11

ASHEVILLE – Members of the Asheville community, city leaders and staff on Sunday gathered to observe the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony was led by the Asheville Fire Department and was held in the Ferguson Auditorium of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Officials say the total number of people killed in [...]

Community Reparations Commission meets Monday, June 27, 2022

The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission will take place 6:00 p.m.  Monday, June 27, 2022 at: The Buncombe County Government Building  200 College St First Floor Conference Room    The Commission meeting agenda will be posted as available. The Community Reparations Commission is empowered to make short, medium, and long-term recommendations that will make significant progress toward repairing [...]

Earth Day is just around the corner!

The Office of Sustainability invites you to join in the fun of making a cleaner, greener Asheville at home, at work, and in our community. There are many ways to make small changes with big impact to the health and quality of our environment.  Below are a few examples and a super fun opportunity to join in the fun. Earth Day is this Friday and it's not too late to schedule your earth action!

Explore, connect, and discover with Asheville Parks & Recreation this fall

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR), like the community it serves, is constantly changing and evolving. In alignment with Asheville City Council’s 2036 Vision and current strategic priorities, the department is focused on Improving Core Core Services, Neighborhood Resilience, and Improving Public Safety. APR’s fall program guide reflects the department’s [...]

Families invited to Easel Rider Mobile Art Lab activities in the River Arts District

  The City of Asheville, in partnership with the River Arts District businesses and artists and LEAF Community Arts, wants to inclusively bring families in the community together through art. During this summer, families in Asheville are invited to visit the Easel Rider Mobile Art Lab in the River Arts District.   Family-friendly art events will be held [...]

Festival of Frights brings kooky fun and spooky chills October 21-31

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) brings ghoulish greetings with its annual Festival of Frights starting on October 21. The series of events includes a toddler costume party, nighttime skating, creepy climbing, and trips through a haunted castle, a greenhouse of horror, and a trail of treats.   While Ashevillians can stop in for a spell at [...]

Finding the right place to recycle at Bele Chere

This year’s Bele Chere festival has more opportunities than ever to make sure your discarded containers get recycled. On top of the city’s own bins and bins provided by a contractor, there also 70 new recycling stands provided by a grant by Coca-Cola for Bele Chere 2010. There are also new recycling cans next to [...]

Fourth of July: Change in sanitation schedule, holiday bus service, plus information about downtown fireworks

    Sanitation schedule shifts, ART buses to run on holiday schedule   Asheville City government offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.   Trash and recycling collection Asheville Sanitation will be closed July 4, as the local landfill and transfer stations will be closed. Residents whose collection day is Thursday will have their trash and [...]

Free presentation of Te Ata at Burton St. Community Center highlights Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each November to provide a platform for Native people in the United States to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. As part of this reminder to study the history of the nation and highlight the great diversity Native people [...]

Goombay wraps up 30th year

ASHEVILLE – The 2011 edition of the African-Caribbean “Goombay!” festival once again drew hundreds of people to the Eagle/Market Streets area, the historic heart of Asheville’s black community. Each year for three days, Goombay fills Eagle and Market – also called The Block – with marching bands, African-America dancers, stilt walkers, as well as gospel, reggae [...]

Halloween happenings, plus safety tips from the Asheville Police Department

  Halloween can be a fun holiday for kids, but a worrisome one for parents. Here you’ll find safety tips from the Asheville Police Department that will help make Halloween a good night for all. Plus a list of City-related Halloween events.   City Halloween happenings Oct 25-26 Haunted Castle on the Hill, 7-10 p.m. at Stephens [...]

Insider’s guide to traffic/parking for Asheville’s Fed Cup

The 2019 Fed Cup brings international professional tennis competition returns to the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center on Feb. 9-10 for the USA vs. Australia World Group First Round. The U.S. Tennis Association and United States Fed Cup Captain Kathy Rinaldi have announced that No. 17 Madison Keys, No. 23 [...]

Lights to shine in Asheville in acknowledgement of those lost to COVID-19 

  As a memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19, the City of Asheville will join with cities and towns across the country tonight,  Jan. 19, with a special lighting of Asheville City Hall and the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has invited cities and towns around the country to join [...]

Local nonprofits quench your thirst at Bele Chere

  The beverage booths on the streets of Bele Chere probably don’t need to offer much more incentives to attract patrons. They do, however, have the added bonus of being completely staffed by volunteers from area nonprofits and groups that support nonprofits, who then share in the revenue while getting added community exposure. For three days [...]

Making the stage: Picking the Bele Chere bands

This weekend, a group of local music lovers will shut themselves in an Asheville hotel suite and spend three days listening to some 600 musical submissions for the 2011 Bele Chere Festival. The ritual takes place every year at the end of February and results in the entertainment lineup for the festival, held this year [...]

Malvern Thrills brings free water fun days to Malvern Hills Park this summer

Following the news that Malvern Hills Pool will not open following safety concerns with its drainage and suction system, Asheville Parks & Recreation has planned a series of free water-based programming to take place throughout the summer titled Malvern Thrills. The department’s Rec n Roll mobile recreation van will roll [...]

Picking up what you’re throwing out

Within the boundaries of Bele Chere, there are approximately 210 trash barrels and 120 recycling bins. Still, without regular rounds by the City of Asheville’s sanitation crews, those containers would be piled beyond capacity. Crew leader Booby Austin says teams of two crew members hit each container every 45 minutes on Friday, the slowest day of [...]

Register now for the 2019 Asheville Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk

  Register now for the 2019 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk Asheville, presented by the Asheville Fire Department. The event will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, in downtown Asheville. Participating firefighters will run the event in full turnout gear. The 5K Run & Walk begins outside the Asheville Fire Depatment, 100 Court Plaza. To register, go to 

SoCon hoops returns! Here’s your guide to matchups, special events, parking and more — including free trolleys

  The 2020 Ingles Southern Conference Men’s and Woman’s Basketball Tournament Presented by General Shale returns to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville March 5 – 9.  Tickets are still available and there are lots of special events planned to coincide with the tournament, such as the

Sports and creativity foster friendships during Senior Games and SilverArts

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) challenges community members to make 2023 a record breaking year for Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and SilverArts. The weeks-long festival celebrates the transformative ability of sports and the arts to foster friendship and wellness. There is a $10 fee to participate and online registration opens Feb. 6 at [...]

Stay motivated with the APR Fit 50 community challenge

If tracking your progress motivates you, register for Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR)’s free Fit 50 Challenge. The city-wide celebration has community members completing 50 miles between Feb. 1-April 1 by walking, running, or rolling.  Top finishers by total mileage receive prizes including an Apple Watch and AirPods. The first [...]

Stephens-Lee Community Center announces closures and relocations for October 25-30

As Stephens-Lee Community Center prepares to become the Haunted Castle on the Hill for Festival of Frights, some classes have been cancelled or relocated.    Purchase your tickets for Haunted Castle on the Hill to experience one of the area’s longest-running haunted houses.                         [...]

Test Drive program for potential new businesses launches second year with open house

  A year after the launch of the Test Drive Program, it’s time to celebrate the accomplishments of new startups and invite more potential businesses into the fold. Mountain BizWorks and the City of Asheville invites everyone to a social mixer and information session for the 2019 Test Drive Program.   What is Test Drive? In an innovative partnership between Mountain BizWorks and the [...]

The Bele Chere Breakdown, part 1

How do you pack up a three-day festival in about six hours? After some 30 years of wrapping the Bele Chere festival, City of Asheville and festival staff have the system down to a sort of frenzied science. Multiple city departments, festival vendors and private companies all interact to make Bele Chere disappear overnight. With [...]

The Bele Chere Breakdown, part 2

Since pedestrians are still walking around the festival area after Bele Chere closes, officers from the Asheville Police Department stand guard at the festival barricades, keeping the streets closed to traffic. By about 6:30, when pedestrian traffic has thinned enough, festival officials put out a call to APD officers and festival staff that vendor vehicles [...]

The Bele Chere Top 10 Things to Know: Getting there and parking there

The 2012 Bele Chere Festival is just around the corner, taking place in downtown Asheville July 27-29. As excitement builds for the big weekend, we are presenting “Bele Chere: Top 10 Things to Know.” See more information about Bele Chere 2012 at belecherefestival.com. No. 8: You don’t have to drive You think we would throw a major event [...]

The City announces November and December artist schedule of Art in the Heart and opportunities to engage

  A new line up of Art in the Heart artworks and experiences will be in Pack Square Plaza for November and December 2022. A final schedule for January-March artists will be released subsequently. To learn more about the artists and their projects, please visit ashevillenc.gov/artintheheart.    Images and videos of completed projects have been, and will [...]

The City Announces partnership for this year’s Juneteenth event

The City of Asheville is pleased to announce a new event production contract with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County to provide a week-long celebration of Juneteenth for the community titled, “Celebrating the History and Legacy of Juneteenth.” The 2023 celebration will focus on educating individuals about Juneteenth, spotlighting non-majority businesses, providing spaces [...]

The City of Asheville congratulates Shangri-La Industries and Step Up on Second Street on the groundbreaking of supportive housing for homeless population 

December 13, Shangri-La Industries and Step Up, with the support of the City of Asheville, broke ground on the former Ramada, providing 113 units of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Asheville.                                                [...]

The view from inside Doggie Jail

It’s one of the big no-no’s of Bele Chere: Dogs simply aren’t allowed (excepting those competing in the Purina Air Dog competition.) The heat, the crowds, the noise – it all makes for an inhospitable atmosphere for dogs. But what happens to the dogs that try to get in on Bele Chere festivities? They typically wind [...]

Truck City AVL pulls into Asheville Outlets for family fun on April 15

From rescue vehicles and public works equipment to utility tractors and construction machines, community members have an excellent opportunity to “pull back the curtain” and learn about the equipment and skills required to maintain our cities and towns, foodways, and public safety systems when Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) brings Truck City [...]

Truck City AVL pulls into Asheville Outlets for family fun on April 9

Mountain families have a chance to get an up-close look at big trucks, small trucks, transit buses, construction vehicles, and more when Asheville Parks & Recreation’s Truck City AVL returns to Asheville Outlets on April 9 from 1-4 p.m. Kids and adults can explore, touch, and ask questions about [...]

US Fed Cup Team to return to Asheville in 2019

In a Oct. 30 press conference at the U.S. Cellular Center, the U.S. Tennis Association just announced that Asheville has once again been chosen as a site for U.S. Tennis Association 2019 first round Fed Cup Feb. 9-10. Tickets for U.S. Tennis Association 2019 first round Fed Cup in Asheville go on sale to the general public [...]

Volunteers step up for Bele Chere 2010

Volunteer efforts are crucial to pulling off an event like Bele Chere. Fortunately, the City of Asheville has a large population of repeat volunteers that step forward to pitch in every year. “We have a very loyal volunteer base,” says the festival’s volunteer coordinator Stacey Witkowski. “We have people that have been with for 15 years [...]

Wellness Wednesday – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in truly green fashion

Nature has a huge impact on health and wellness. Multiple studies point to cortisol, stress, and anxiety levels decreasing in a calm, green environment. If you’re looking for an alternative to a party highlighted by brews on St. Patrick’s Day, check out this volunteer opportunity from Asheville Parks & Recreation. Community members are [...]

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