Hello Wednesday.
April 24 2024
With 2022 mere months away, the NC General Assembly has given us a reason to look forward to the following year: they recently declared 2023 as the “Year of the Trail.” The designation marks 2023 as a year to showcase, promote + celebrate NC’s trails.
With trails like the lovely Black Balsam Knob, how could we not celebrate NC's trails? I Photo by @sarahhookerphoto
Wondering why officials chose 2023? It marks the 50th anniversary of the 1973 North Carolina Trails System Act, which created North Carolina’s Trails Program. Officials also credit this act with catalyzing the many long-distance state trails (think: Mountains-to-Sea, the Big East Fork Trail in Pisgah National Forest) that we enjoy today.
Today, North Carolina has 41 state parks which offer 618.6 miles of trails that showcase our natural and urban landscapes. It’s no wonder trails are a cornerstone of our $28 billion outdoor recreation industry (making it the 6th largest in the US).
In honor of the benefits these trails and greenways bring to our communities — like improved health, increased economic activity, bike + pedestrian transportation, and the conservation of our natural resources — all 100 counties will offer special events and trail programs to increase people’s awareness of trails and boost local use and tourism. Programs will also highlight the importance of volunteers when it comes to creating and maintaining the state’s natural trail networks.
While NC may be “first in flight,” we’re not the first state to declare a “Year of the Trail.” Ohio and Indiana did that in 2018 and 2021, respectively. North Cackalacky is the first to share the news so far in advance so that local organizations and jurisdictions can have ample time to create detailed plans to promote + celebrate its trails.
Right now, we don’t know of any specific events happening in or around Asheville, but a planning committee with the Great Trails State Coalition will be meeting regularly to plan events. Get more deets here, and we can’t wait to meet you on the trails.
Use the buttons below to share this story with everyone you want to see out on the trails.
Today
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off | Thurs., Sept. 9 | 7 p.m. | Asheville Pizza & Brewing, 675 Merrimon Ave. | $5 | Bring proof of vaccination to the 35th anniversary screening of this John Hughes classic.
Friday
- The Uptown Hillbillies | Fri., Sept. 10 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Weinhaus, 86 Patton Ave. | $7 | Listen to veteran musicians play classic country music from the 50s + 60s. 🎶
- Black Mountain Fall Garden Sale | Fri., Sept. 10-Sat., Sept. 11 | Various times | Monte Vista Hotel, 308 State St. | Shop perennials, shrubs, pots + more at this annual garden sale. 💐
- Dahlia Festival | Sat., Sept. 11- Sun., Sept. 12 | Various times | Free | Highland Historical Society, 524 N. 4th St., Highlands | Enjoy floral art from local gardeners. 🖼️
- Mountain Song Festival | Fri., Sept. 10- Sat., Sept. 11 | Various times | Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln. | $37+ | Listen to bluegrass, gospel, country, and blues artists during this 2-day festival. 🪕
- Mountain State Fair | Fri., Sept. 10 Sun., Sept. 19 | Various times |1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher | $10+ | Rides, food, and so much more. 🎢
Saturday
- AVL Radio Museum 20th Anniversary | Sat., Sept. 11 | 12-3 p.m. | Asheville Radio Museum, 16 Fernihurst Dr. | Free | Learn about the history of radio and test out old radio technology. 📻
- Chow Chow: Sustainable Waters | Sat., Sept. 11 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, 143 Charlotte St. | $125 | Learn about issues of sustainability while enjoying responsibly sourced fish, shellfish + more. 🦐
Sunday
- PreCross | Sun., Sept. 12 | 6 a.m. | Elysium Center, 111 Howard Gap Rd | $20+ | Race some practice rounds with the North Carolina Cylo-Cross + VeloSports Racing team. 🚴
- Chow Chow: Root to Bloom | Sun., Sept. 12 | 12-3 p.m. | Yesterday Spaces, 305 Sluder Branch Rd., Leicester | $125+ | Learn how to reduce food waste while enjoying a multi-course cocktail brunch. 🍸
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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Weather
- 74º | Mostly sunny | 21% chance of rain
Now Open
- Water Street (68 N. Lexington Ave.), the new venture from Rosetta Buan of Rosetta’s Kitchen, has officially opened its doors. Stop by Fri.-Sun. from 4-8 p.m. for comfort food like sorghum BBQ chicken skewers, macaroni and cheese, tater tots, and more. 🍢
Coming Soon
- Bold Rock Cider will celebrate the grand opening of its new taproom in downtown Asheville at 11 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 14 (39 N Lexington Ave.). Expect to find hard cider, tea + lemonade, along with eats like pan-roasted NC trout, hard tea-brined fried chicken, and falafel. 🍺
Civic
- The next meeting for the Downtown Commission will take place virtually on Fri., Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. Wanna weigh in? Submit comments in advance via email or voicemail at (550) 925-2801, code 9272 by Thurs., Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. Tune in via the city’s YouTube channel, and check out the agenda. 💻
Regional
- Tropical Storm Fred’s impact on WNC has been declared a federal disaster, which means that residents + county governments now qualify for FEMA assistance and federal reimbursement for storm cleanup and recovery. If you experienced flood damage, apply for help by calling (800) 621-3362 or visiting this website. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
- The City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office is launching AVL Pathways to Grow, a training program for established women + small business owners of color to grow their bizzes. Wanna learn more? Register to attend an informational session on Mon., Sept. 27, Thurs., Sept. 30, or Tues., Oct. 5.
Cause
- Have you adopted a furever friend from the Asheville Humane Society? If so, you can help the org win up to $100,000 in grant funding from nonprofit Petco Love by sharing your tale of how your pet has changed your life. Submit your story by Mon., Sept. 20 for a chance to help AHS win. 🐾
Drink
- Archetype Brewing is crafting N0H8, a new brew that raises money for orgs that fight discrimination. The biz plans to donate $1 of every sale. They’ve also partnered with local artist Holden Mesk to create an inspiring label. Stay tuned for deets on its fall release. 🍺
Active
- The Asheville Fire Department will host its annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Sat., Sept. 18 at Pack's Tavern (20 S. Spruce St.). Participants will run or walk from downtown Asheville through the Beaucatcher Tunnel, and proceeds will benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 👟
Coronavirus
- As of Wednesday afternoon, 158,153 people (up 156 from Tuesday) in Buncombe County are fully vaccinated for a total of 61% of the population. There have been 717 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days (down 17 from Tuesday), and 351 total deaths. Book a vaccine appointment here, and see more Buncombe County-specific info here.
Edu
- UNC Asheville has been recognized as 1 of Niche’s 2022 Best Colleges in America. The liberal arts university got high marks for location, academics, professors, campus life + safety, and more. See all of its accolades here. 🎉
- Western Carolina University now offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program that will prepare nurses as family nurse practitioners. Applications are currently being accepted for the program with the first cohort set to begin in May 2022. 🩺 Ⓟ
Arts
Job
- Benefits of working with MB HAYNES include health and dental insurance, tool + equipment assistance, and their Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). See openings and apply. Ⓟ
Most visitors to the WNC Nature Center love watching river otters Obi + Olive, which are among the org’s most beloved residents. But due to the center’s age, their living quarters, aka Otter Falls, are in need of a few repairs.
Wanna make sure Obi, Olive, and their 60 species of wild and domestic animal friends continue to live their best lives? Make a donation here.
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