TThe natural mountain landscape and rich cultural atmosphere of Western North Carolina ensures that there is never a shortage of things to do.

It begins with Asheville’s New Year’s celebration, First Night, an alcohol-free, family-oriented community festival in Pack Square. With children’s activities, arts events and a range of musical entertainment, the party culminates with a grand finale fireworks display.

The Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge (www.blackmountainmarathon.com) in February attracts hardcore trail runners who are looking for the ultimate challenge. The 40-mile Mount Mitchell Challenge begins at dawn in Black Mountain where runners ascend 4,324 feet within the first half up to 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell – the highest peak east of the Mississippi – then return to the starting point. Black Mountain Marathon runners follow the same path up to Black Mountain Gap at 5,340 feet and return.

Every March, more than 240 volleyball teams travel to Asheville to participate in the Hi Neighbor Volleyball Tournament (www.ashevilleparks.org/parks/hineighbor.htm), a premier USA-V sanctioned tournament. The tournament is followed by the Jr. Hi Neighbor Volleyball Tournament in April, which welcomes more than 130 teams.

Held twice each year for a weekend in May and October, the Lake Eden Arts Festival (www.theleaf.com) at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain features 600 acres of multicultural music, art, poetry, dance and the healing arts along the shores of Lake Eden. The Washington Post called it “the best multicultural mix and match festival – mountain music meets world music, blues, zydeco and more.” At this unique event, you can learn Tai Chi, kayak or play giant chess. The festival also includes kids’ activities, water recreation and camping. Limited to 5,000 people daily, the Lake Eden Arts Festival values the intimate setting of the lake and the spectacular view of Mount Mitchell.

In May, the Mountain Sports Festival (www.mountainsportsfestival.com) hosts professional and amateur competitions in paddling, adventure racing, cycling, running, climbing, triathlon and other events. At Festival Village at City-County Plaza, outdoor sports retailers, dealer representatives and manufacturers offer sports-related products, food and drinks. The festival also features various demonstrations and beginner events that appeal to novice and professional athletes alike.

During the summer, downtown Asheville is hopping. On the third Friday of each month between June and September, Asheville features Downtown After Five with live music, beer and food. Held in Pack Square, Downtown After Five usually lasts until about 9:30.

The largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast is Asheville’s Bele Chere (www.belechere.com) in July. The festival exhibits some of the best visual artists in the state, and Bo Diddley and Eve 6 have performed in the past. Part of Bele Chere, A Taste of Asheville features food booths with mountain cuisine as well as Greek, Italian, Scottish, Chinese and Mexican food.

Summer also brings in outdoor theatrical performances. Since 1973, the Montford Park Players (www.montfordparkplayers.org) have produced free Shakespeare productions at the Montford Community Center. Formed with 150 volunteers, the players seek to appeal to a diverse group of people with their performances that, in addition to two Shakespeare shows during the summer, include “A Christmas Carol” in December.

For seven weeks between June and August, the Brevard Music Festival (www.brevardmusic.org) provides young musicians with the opportunity to display and nurture their talents. More than 400 students from 14 years old to post-college perform 80 public concerts, operas and musicals. The young performers also have the opportunity to play with faculty and guest artists.

Independence Day is celebrated throughout the region. The Red, White and Blues festival at the Biltmore Estate Winery (www.biltmore.com) includes live music, complementary wine, cooking demonstrations and children’s activities. Downtown Asheville hosts the largest Fourth of July party in the region with live entertainment, food and a fireworks display.

For two weeks in July, the North Carolina International Folk Festival (www.folkmoot.com) in Waynesville welcomes more than 350 dancers and musicians from a dozen different countries to celebrate the world’s cultural heritage. In its 22nd year in 2005, the International Folk Festival has previously featured guests from Italy, Israel, Spain, Norway, Russia, Uzbekistan and Egypt.

Mountain music and dancing is an essential part of Asheville’s culture, and this is celebrated in a number of festivals. Shindig on the Green attracts thousands to the City-County Plaza on Saturday evenings from July through September to experience big circle mountain dance, clogging, balladeers, bluegrass and old-time string bands.

Every August, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival (www.folkheritage.org) fills Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville with mountain musicians, cloggers, dancers and storytellers. Started by Bascom Lamar Lunsford in the 1920s, the festival is the oldest festival of its kind in the nation, honoring the mountain traditions that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries when Scottish and Irish immigrants first settled the area.

Henderson County is North Carolina’s largest apple producer and home to the North Carolina Apple Festival (www.ncapplefestival.org) held downtown during Labor Day weekend. The festival features live music, food, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, a parade and street dance and, of course, plenty of apples.

At the City-County Plaza in Asheville, the Greek influence in Asheville is recognized with a weekend-long festival in September. The festival features dancing and some of the best Greek food including baklava and spanakopita.

The NOC/Subaru Tsali Challenge Triathlon (www.noc.com/events-tsali.htm) at the Tsali Recreation Area near Bryson City is held each September. The triathlon includes a three-mile paddle on Fontana Lake, a 4.5-mile trail run and a 12-mile mountain bike course. Triathletes may participate individually on Saturday or in teams of two or three on Sunday.

Another outdoor sporting event is the Shut-In Ridge Trail Run in October. Celebrating its 26th year in 2005, the Shut-In covers 18 miles of singletrack starting at the North Carolina Arboretum up to Mount Pisgah – a rise of a cumulative 5,000 feet with all the ups and downs. Runners agree that the last two miles are the most arduous, with roots, rocks, steep inclines and slippery slopes, but they also say that the views are worth it.

Ashevillians observe the holiday season with Light Up Your Holidays, which opens with the Annual Christmas Parade in November. More than 40 events are included in the festivities including a festival of lights, Christmas at Biltmore, a gingerbread house contest at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa and a Children’s Handmade Festival at the Folk Art Center where kids can make crafts and watch performances.

Calendar Listings
JUNE
3 – Music On Main Street. Downtown Hendersonville. Outdoor concert series featuring a variety of music. 828-693-9708. www.historichendersonville.org.

3-26 – Montford Park Players present Shakespeare’s “Henry V.” Montford Community Center, Asheville. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7:30 p.m. 828-254-5146. www.montfordparkplayers.org.

4 – Clay Day at the Folk Art Center. Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382. 828-298-7928. www.southernhighlandguild.org.

4-6 – WNC Air Museum Annual Spring Air Show. Hendersonville. Antique aircraft collection and automobiles on display, air show and airplane rides. 828-698-2482. www.wncairmuseum.com.

8-12 – Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Horse Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Tryon. 828-859-9021. www.fence.org.

10-11 – Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival. Harmon Field, Tryon. 828-859-6236. www.blueridgebbqfestival.com.

17-19 – Asheville Gem Festival. Colburn Earth Science Museum, Asheville. Dealers from around the world sell gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils and more. 828-254-7162. www.colburnmuseum.org.

18 – Sidewalk Antique Show. Downtown Hendersonville. Nearly 100 antique dealers offer quality antiques on Main Street. 828-697-2022. www.dhinc.org.

18 – Gallery and Studio Walking Tour. Downtown Waynesville. See and talk to Waynesville artists as they work in their shops and sell their works. 828-456-3517. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

19-26 – Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival. Various locations in Swannanoa, Waynesville and Hendersonville. Chamber music concerts. 828-452-0593. www.warren-wilson.edu/~chamber.

JULY
2-4 Red, White & Blues at the Biltmore Estate Winery. Blues and jazz music, fine wine, food and kids’ activities. 800-543-2961. www.biltmore.com.


8-31 – Montford Park Players present Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors.” Montford Community Center, Asheville. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7:30 p.m. 828-254-5146. www.montfordparkplayers.org.

18-31 – North Carolina International Folk Festival. Waynesville. More than 350 dancers and musicians from a dozen different countries celebrate the world’s cultural heritage. 828-452-2997. www.folkmoot.com.

29-31 – Bele Chere. Asheville. The largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast with music, food, kids activities and local artisans selling jewelry, pottery, clothing, photography and paintings. 828-259-5800. www.belechere.com.

AUGUST
4-6 – Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. Mountain musicians, cloggers, dancers and storytellers. 7 to 10 p.m. 828-257-4530. www.folkheritage.org.

26-28 – Goombay Festival. YMI Cultural Center, Asheville. 828-252-4614. www.ymicc.org/goombay.html.

SEPTEMBER
2-7 – North Carolina Apple Festival Street Fair. Downtown Hendersonville. Arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s activities, parade and food. 828-697-4557. www.ncapplefestival.org.

9-18 – North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Fletcher. 828-687-1414. www.ncagr.com/markets/fairs/mtnfair.

10-11 – NOC/Subaru Tsali Challenge Triathlon. Tsali Recreation Center, Bryson City. 800-232-7238. www.noc.com/events-tsali.htm.

16-18 – Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center. Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382. Traditional crafts, music, storytelling and the 25th annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition. 828-298-7928. www.southernhighlandguild.org.

23-24 – Greek Festival. City-County Plaza, Asheville. 828-253-3754.

23-25 – Flat Rock Music Festival. Camp Ton-A-Wandah, Flat Rock. Live music on several stages, songwriting contests and workshops, jam sessions, kids’ activities as well as camping, boating and swimming at the 365-acre site. 828 692-2005. www.flatrockmusicfestival.com.

24 – Moon Howl! Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Tryon. An outdoor concert under the stars. 828-859-9021. www.fence.org

OCTOBER
1 – Farm City Day. Jackson Park, Hendersonville. Farm equipment, demonstrations, live entertainment, children’s games, tractor pull, petting zoo and more. Free admission. 828-697-4884.

1 – Forest Festival Day. Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest. Craftsmen, exhibitors, entertainers and a lumberjack competition. 828-877-3130. www.cradleofforestry.com.

1-2 – Thomas Wolfe’s 105th Birthday Commemoration. Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Asheville. Special tours and events. 828-253-8304. www.wolfememorial.com.

14-16 – Lake Eden Arts Festival. Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain. Multicultural music, art, poetry, dance and healing arts along the shores of Lake Eden. 828-686-8742. www.theleaf.com.

16 – DuPont Forest Trail Marathon. 828-692-5774 www.ymcahendersonville.org/events/marathon.htm.

27-30 – Asheville Film Festival. Thousands attend to view nearly 100 films at this festival, which also includes exhibits and seminars. 828-259-5800. www.ashevillefilmfestival.com.

NOVEMBER
4-6 – Foothills Highland Games. Blue Ridge Community College Campus, Hendersonville. Dancers, sheep herding demonstrations, sporting events, children’s activities, music and food. 828-693-8526. www.foothillshg.org.

5-Jan. 1 – Christmas at Biltmore Estate. See dozens of Christmas trees, fresh garlands and hundreds of poinsettias. 828-274-6333. www.biltmore.com.

8 – Wolf Howl. WNC Nature Center, Asheville. Presentations on Red and Grey wolves of North America. 828-298-5600. www.wildnc.org.

15-Jan. 6 – Victorian Christmas Celebration. Smith-McDowell House Museum, Asheville. 828-253-9231. http://www.wnchistory.org.

17-Dec. 14 – Santa’s Palette. Transylvania Community Arts Center, Brevard. Fine art and crafts offered by regional artists. 828-884-2787.

26 – Storytelling Festival. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Tryon. Local and national storytellers. 828-859-9021. www.fence.org.

DECEMBER
1 – Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore Estate. By reservation only. 800-543-2961. www.biltmore.com.

1-Jan. 28 – Crafting Community: 75 Years of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Folk Art Center. Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382. Exhibition examines the Southern Highland Guild’s 75-year history as an organization devoted to promotion, education and conservation of craft. Free admission. 828-298-7928. www.southernhighlandguild.org.

3 – Hendersonville Christmas Parade. Main Street. 828-692-4179.

31 – First Night Asheville. Alcohol-free celebration with entertainment, games, fireworks and more. 828-259-9231. www.ashevilleparks.org.

31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration. Grove Park Inn, Asheville. 828-252-2711. www.groveparkinn.com.

JANUARY 2006
6-8 – Best of Our State: A Weekend Celebration of North Carolina. Grove Park Inn, Asheville. Music, history, storytelling, food, art and humor. 800-438-5800. www.groveparkinn.com.

20-22 – Big Band/Swing Dance Weekend. Grove Park Inn, Asheville. 800-438-5800. www.groveparkinn.com

FEBRUARY 2006
17-19 – North Carolina Dance Festival. Diana Wortham Theater, Asheville. The best of North Carolina’s touring companies showcase with local dance artists. 828-253-2621. www.ncdancefestival.org.

28 – Mardi Gras. Downtown Hendersonville. Festive evening of entertainment, music, shopping and fun. 828-697-2022. www.dhinc.org.


MARCH 2006
18-19 – Hi Neighbor Volleyball Tournament. One of the top ten volleyball tournaments in the county. 828-259-5800. www.ashevilleparks.org.

3-5 – Heritage Ballroom DanceSport Championships. Grove Park Inn and Spa. 800-438-5800. www.groveparkinn.com.

APRIL 2006
1-30 – Biltmore Estate’s Festival of Flowers. A month full of activities centered around the gardens of Biltmore Estate. 828-225-1333. www.biltmore.com.

Mountain Sports Festival. Competitions, music, demonstrations and more. 828-529-5800. www.mountainsportsfestival.com.

Johnson Farm Festival. Farmhouse tours, craft demonstrations, children’s activities, entertainment, food and fun for all ages. Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. 828-891-6585. www.henderson.k12.nc.us/district/johnsonfarm.

Jr. Hi Neighbor Volleyball Tournament. The junior version of Hi Neighbor for youth divisions 12-18 attracting over 125 teams. 828-259-5800. www.ashevilleparks.org.

MAY 2006
French Broad River Festival. Hot Springs. Regional music, outdoor activities and vendors. www.frenchbroadriverfestival.com.

Olde Time Music Festival. Downtown Hendersonville. 828-697-2022. www.dhinc.org.

Lake Eden Arts Festival. Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain. Multicultural music, art, poetry, dance and healing arts along the shores of Lake Eden. 828-686-8742. www.theleaf.com.

Saluda Arts Festival. Downtown Saluda. Artisans and craftsmen display works. Live music. 828-817-2876.

Garden Jubilee. Downtown Hendersonville. Arts and crafts, garden accessories, plants, seminars and exhibits. 828-693-9708. www.historichendersonville.org/event.html.

Heritage Alive Festival. Smith-McDowell Museum, Asheville. Living history encampments, crafts, demonstrations, mountain music, exhibits and award-winning barbecue. 828-253-9231. www.wnchistory.org.

Biltmore Estate Winery’s Alfresco Jazz Weekend. Wine tasting, jazz and cooking presentations at the winery. 800-624-1575. www.biltmore.com.

Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival. Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock. 828-693-4178. www.nps.gov/carl.