McCormick Field | Photo Courtesy of the Asheville Tourists

When it comes to sports, Asheville has some great teams to support.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about teams in the Land of the Sky. Whether you’re already a devoted Tourists fan or you’re new to the area and interested in learning more about Asheville’s teams, we hope it can serve as a valuable resource.

⚾ Asheville Tourists (MiLB) | Est. 1897

The Tourists have gone by several different monikers since their inception — including the Moonshiners and Mountaineers . The team officially became the Tourists in 1976 due to Asheville’s status as a popular destination for travelers. The team incorporated the moon into its logo in 2010, paying homage to its original team name of the Moonshiners. Currently, the Tourists compete in the South Atlantic League and they’re affiliated with the Houston Astros.

asheville-tourists-houston-astros-avltoday — The Asheville Tourists in their Beer City jerseys. | Photo by @avltoday

Where they play: McCormick Field

Opened in August 1924
Max. capacity of 4,000

Mascots: Ted E. Tourist and Mr. Moon

Original mascot Ted E. is an anthropomorphic bear complete with sunglasses and a suitcase.
Mr. Moon was introduced in 2011.

Team colors: Blue Ridge blue, midnight navy, and Biltmore jade

Fun fact: A Twitter troll attack inspired The Asheville Tourists to transform into the Asheville Hippies for one night. The team sported tie-dye jerseys in their game against the Greenville Drive on June 29, 2017. The colorful jerseys were auctioned off to fans, and proceeds benefited the Asheville Tourists Children’s Fund.

📅 Sneak peek at the team’s upcoming season.

MORE INFO FOR THE WIN

QUIZ

What is the most popular sport in the US (according to viewership and TV ratings)?

A. Baseball
B. Soccer
C. Basketball
D. Football

Click the button to submit your answer and keep reading to find out if you’re right.

GAME ON, ASHEVILLE

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

J. Chong Eats Woutine Pop-Up | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Burial Beer Co., 40 Collier Ave, Asheville | Free | Chef J Chong takes over the kitchen for a delectable Woutine Pop-Up blending Asian and Canadian flavors.
Bao Down: Mardi Gras Pop-up Dinner | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $60 | The chefs behind Bun Intended and Root Down food truck present a five-course, Mardi Gras-themed dinner.
Food Is Love Donation Drive for MANNA FoodBank | Tuesday, Feb. 7-Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Donate healthy, nonperishable foods for distribution to folks in need in WNC.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Latin Night Wednesday | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 8:30-11:59 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5 | Dance lessons for Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, and Cumbia take place from 8:30-9 p.m. and open dance runs through midnight.

Thursday, Feb. 9

East Fork Pottery Founders Mixer | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | East Fork Pottery, 15 W. Walnut St., Asheville | $25 | Mix and mingle over light bites, wine, and NA beverages with East Fork founders Alex, Connie, and John.
Love, Marquee | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Marquee, 36 Foundy St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the design centers’ one year anniversary with sweet treats, drinks from Saint Brighid’s, music from DJ Lil Meow Meow, and a fashion show by Ananda Hair Studio.
RAISING BLACK: A Penny Meacham Production on Resiliency & Hope | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | Join for a collection of poetry, skits, and monologues that explore the joy, pain, sunshine + rain and how they connect to relationships in our community.
A John Waters Christmas in February | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 8 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $50-$125 | The Pope of Trash brings his own depraved brand of comedy to this one of a kind a performance.

Friday, Feb. 10

Give ‘Em Hell Or Cry Trying | Friday, Feb. 10 | 6-11 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | DSSOLVR’s third annual Emo Valentine’s Party will have you all in your feels with its bites, drinks, art pop-up, merch, and angsty hits from DJ XZaneInsaneX.
Empire Strikes Brass: Mardi Gras Party! | Friday, Feb. 10 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $20-$25 | Don your dancing shoes and celebrate Mardi Gras with the lush horns and bumping rhythms of hometown band Empire Strikes Brass.
Off With Your Radiohead | Friday, Feb. 10 | 9 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10 | Enjoy an evening of Radiohead hits from this local cover band.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

WELLNESS

This local biz is helping Ashevillians relax

Float effortlessly atop 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt in a state-of-the-art Float Lab tank. | Photo provided by Still Point Wellness

There’s no better way to relax + recharge than by focusing on self care. Don’t know where to start? Still Point Wellness offers a full lineup of spa services at their brand new 7,000-sqft East Asheville location, including:

Esalen Massage: Created at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, this therapeutic massage gives clients a sense of deep relaxation.
Saltwater floatation: Be coaxed into unwinding stillness as 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts keep you effortlessly afloat while tension releases from your body and mind.

We’re feeling more relaxed already. 💆*

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

NEWS NOTES

Weather

60º | Mostly cloudy | 6% chance of rain

Traffic

The NCDOT says that the section of I-26 West between Airport Road (Exit 40) and Brevard Road (Exit 33) will be closed overnight Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Travelers can Airport Road to Hendersonville Road to I-40 as a detour. Traffic lights will remain green longer along the detour. 🚦(WLOS)

Coming Soon

Italian eatery Del Vecchios will open a second location this April at 1854 Hendersonville Rd. in the space formerly occupied by Iurato’s Pizzeria. Like its first location on Merrimon Ave., the second spot will feature pizza, calzones, paninis, pasta, and salads, as well as delivery, dine-in, and carryout service. 🍝 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Development

Remember the microhousing we told you about last fall? Construction for the housing complex at 217 Hilliard Ave. is expected to begin by the second quarter of 2023. Though approved, the Aston St. development returns to City Council Tuesday, Feb. 14 for a Land Use Incentive Grant. Get details. 🏗️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Eat

Go Local, The Hop Ice Cream, and Cooking with Comedy have teamed up to create a limited edition ice cream. Designed to honor Asheville’s Black history + local business community, Peach Crumble Caramel Crunch will be available starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 7 at The Hop on Merrimon Ave. and The Hop West on Haywood Rd. 🍨
Spicewalla has shared its recipe for Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Tart. Sweet, gently spiced, and topped with whipped dollops of creamy marcaspone, this is an ideal sweet treat for Valentine’s Day (or any day ending with “y”). 🍓

Family

Wondering which summer day camps are best for your kids? Check out WNC Family’s 2023 guide, which outlines options to help children pursue their interests and learn new skills. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Concert

Grammy-winning country music star and SC native Darius Rucker will be headlining Upcountry Fiber’s first charity concert, Southern Fried Circuit, on Friday, July 28 at the Anderson Civic Center (3027 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Anderson, SC). Profits will go to the Upcountry Fiber Foundation to support local charities in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties. Grab tickets. 🎶 *

Featured Job

Montreat College is hiring for various full-time positions, including Director of Advancement, Records Specialist, Alumni/Parent Relations Director, Faculty, Administrative Assistants, and more. Interested? Learn more + apply.*

Shop

What’s getting us through February: Our humidifiers. We love the Levoit Blue Cool Humidifier for its quiet design, multiple mist levels, and how easy it is to clean. Do your skin (not to mention, your houseplants) a favor and up your home hydration.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

TRY THIS

This event is as fly as a honey bee 🐝

A close look at honey-themed small bites from the beautiful buzz event

These honey-themed small bites are almost too pretty to eat. | Photo via @redfiddlevittles

Celebrate all things honey on Friday, Feb. 24 at Honey & the Hive from 6-9 p.m. A partnership between Red Fiddle Vittles, Noble Cider, Shanti Elixirs, and Honey & the Hive, the event will feature local cheeses and honey-themed small bites alongside meads from Noble Cider and juns from Shanti Elixirs. Host Honey & the Hive will offer an assortment of local and single origin honeys for sample.

And that’s not all. Honeys, beekeeping supplies, and bee-related merchandise will be available for purchase, and honey experts will be on hand to share fascinating knowledge and info about the honey-making process. Now this sounds like the bee’s knees.

Buzzworthy details to know before you go:

Tickets are $45
Date: Friday, Feb. 24, 6-9 p.m.
Location: Honey & the Hive (23 Merrimon Ave.) in downtown Weaverville

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: As the granddaughter of a gentleman who always made his own moonshine, it delights me to no end that the Tourists once went by that moniker.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Don’t sleep on these 9 incredible Valentine’s Day events.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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