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42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.
 

“Come a skeptic. Leave a believer.”

WNC Bigfoot Festival returns
WNC Bigfoot Festival
Grab a photo op with Bigfoot himself. | Photo by John Sacco
Sasquatch, Beast of the Blue Ridge, Yeti — whatever you want to call it, the lore of Bigfoot is rich in the Appalachian Mountains. So much so that there is an entire festival dedicated to the illusive creature. The annual WNC Bigfoot Festival takes place next Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Marion.

So why Bigfoot?
Local group Bigfoot 911 receives tips and investigates Bigfoot encounters across Western North Carolina. In 2018, the group was inspired to create the region’s first Bigfoot Festival, bringing attention to the close encounters the community has claimed to have with the cryptic creature.

Here’s what to expect
Before the festival on Saturday, the Lake James Bigfoot Conference will take place on Friday, May 19 at McDowell Technical Community College. Hear from keynote speaker Ron Morehead, who is regarded as the first to allegedly capture audio recordings of Bigfoot with Sierra Sounds.

Plus, on the morning of the official festival, you can chase Bigfoot through the streets of Marion at Saturday’s Bigfoot Dash 5k.

Mayor Little declares Bigfoot Marion's official city animal.

Mayor Little declares Bigfoot Marion’s official city animal.

|

Photo by John Sacco

Check out some highlights from Saturday’s festival schedule:
  • 10:15 a.m. - Mayor Steve Little proclaims Bigfoot as Marion’s official city animal.
  • 12 p.m. - Enter the Bigfoot calling competition and let out your most guttural impression for the chance to win prizes.
  • 3:45 p.m. - Gather round at the town hall meeting to listen to stories of local Sasquatch encounters and share your own haunting tales.
You don’t have to be convinced of Bigfoot’s existence to have fun at this free event. In addition to the scheduled activities, festival goers can deck themselves out in Bigfoot-themed merch and indulge in Sasquatch-inspired foods — we have our eye on the Bigfoot Trax ice cream. Dive into the full schedule.
Greybeard Realty
 
Events
Friday, May 12
  • Pack Square Artisan Market | Friday, May 12-Friday, Oct. 27 | 1-8 p.m. | N. Pack Square, Asheville | Free | This family-friendly, juried market features handmade goods from local + independent artists.
  • Cider Pong Tournament | Friday, May 12 | 7-10 p.m. | Bold Rock, 39 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Put your pong skills to the test at this tournament, complete with prizes for winning teams — sign ups start at 6 p.m.
  • Drive-By Truckers | Friday, May 12 | 7 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $30 | See these southern rockers on tour playing tracks from their latest album, “Welcome 2 Club XIII” — with support from Lydia Loveless.
Saturday, May 13
  • May Arts Fest | Saturday, May 13 | 2-7 p.m. | Odonata Farm, 5640 Paint Fork Rd., Mills River | Free | This inaugural festival will celebrate the bounty of spring with flower crowns, live music from Jane Kramer and Jenna Lindbo, and a lineup of other May-themed art experiences.
  • White Labs Test Kitchen: Kimchi Fermentation | Saturday, May 13 | 2-4 p.m. | White Labs Brewing Co., 172 S Charlotte St., Asheville | $65 | Learn the science of fermentation while making your own kimchi to take home — plus, enjoy a complimentary beer.
  • Fiber Day | Saturday, May 13 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville | Free | Learn about the process of fiber art with interactive demonstrations from textile artists — then try your hand at some of the craft activities.
Sunday, May 14
  • “Bright Star” | Sunday, May 14 | 2:30 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville | $18-$35 | See the final performance of this show, based on the Grammy Award-winning bluegrass album, “Love Has Come for You.”
  • Mother’s Day | Sunday, May 14 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave. #101, Asheville | Free | Moms can play all day for free and show those kids who’s the real board game boss.
Monday, May 15
  • Creative Journaling | Monday, May 15 | 6-8 p.m. | The Elephant Door, 126 Swannanoa River Rd., Asheville | $30 | Learn the art of creative journaling using pens, ink, watercolor paints, stickers, and more.
  • THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM | Monday, May 15 | 6:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $15 | The theme of this month’s storytelling event is gossip — prepare a five-minute story on the topic or listen to others’ experiences.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
ENZA Home Furnishing
 
Finance

Kick back and retire (yes, please)
SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area.
SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset
This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire.

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area.

It’s never too late to work towards more radiant golden years. Take this quiz to see if you can retire comfortably.*
Take the free quiz
News Notes
Watch
  • Padma Lakshmi highlights Appalachian cuisine in the newest season of Hulu’s “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi.” In the third episode, Lakshmi features acclaimed Asheville chef Ashleigh Shanti to study the rich history and traditions of Southern Appalachian cooking. Watch the episode. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Coming Soon
  • Need an outlet to let out some aggression? The space formerly occupied by Bonfire Barbecue is planning to transform into The Breakroom — a “rage room” where participants can let loose and destroy objects with bats, hammers, and more. Stay tuned for more information on its opening. (Ashevegas Hot Sheet)
Eat
  • Chef Jacob Sessoms of All Day Darling announced his second dinner pop-up, The Little Pickle. The Mediterranean family-style feast takes place at Sessom’s other restaurant, Table, on Sunday, May 21 from 5-9 p.m. The dinner menu costs $29 per person with mezze and desserts dished up a la carte. Reservations encouraged.
Shop
  • Sustainable lifestyle store Ware is teaming up with local prepared food + drink brands to launch its Pickup Market starting Monday, May 15. Shop Ware’s website for products from Cooperative Coffee Roasters, Tequio Foods, and more for pickup on Sundays. The goal of the market is to reduce the labor-intensive requirements of in-person markets.
Pets
Biz
  • We’ve got one more business to add to our list of local B Corps. Bloom Communications, a boutique communications agency, earned its certification in July 2022. That makes for a total of 12 Asheville B Corps. We love to see it.
Arts
  • Hitch a ride on the ArtsAVL Connect Trolley this Saturday, May 13 from 12-8 p.m. The free trolley connects downtown and the River Arts District with two overlapping routes on the second Saturday of each month. View the trolley map, stop locations, and nearby attractions.
  • The Asheville Symphony Orchestra is heading to the banks of the French Broad River this Saturday at 7 p.m. to perform on Salvage Station’s massive outdoor stage for the final ALT ASO concert of the year featuring Kishi Bashi. The performance doubles as the festival opener for Asheville Amadeus 2023.*
Edu
  • Longing for a career change? Mars Hill University’s Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS) offers undergraduate degree completion programs, licenses, certification, and graduate degrees to working adults and non-traditional students. Evening classes on campus + online are available (read: your current employer doesn’t need to know).*
Featured Home
  • This adorable Black Mountain bungalow is a five-minute walk to downtown and Lake Tomahawk. Enjoy blooming azaleas from your front deck during the spring/summer, and curl up around the wood stove during the fall/winter. Boasting a successful VR history, make this your main home or an investment property.*
Celebrate
  • We want to wish a happy birthday (on Sunday) to our teammate Ali, 6AM City People Operations Manager Happy birthday, Ali!
Drink
Holiday
  • How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.*
The Lobster Trap
 
Announced

🐺 Congratulate these brand-new parents

WNC Nature Center welcomes nine baby wolves
One of the baby wolves
Pup’s first checkup. | Photo by WNC Nature Center
WNC Nature Center’s American Red Wolves, Oak and Gloria, have welcomed nine new members to their pack. The center shared the announcement of the new pups through an adorable Instagram post.

The litter was born in late April and remain under veterinary care during their first few weeks of life. Folks at the WNC Nature Center promised to share more updates on the newborns in the coming months, warning us they’ll grow up fast.

Since 1990, the WNC Nature Center has been part of the American Red Wolf Recovery Program, working to ensure the survival of this critically endangered species. The WNC Nature Center is home to 60 species of animals native to southern Appalachia. Explore how you can support its mission of conserving our community’s biodiversity.

Head to the Nature Center to see if you can sneak a peek of the baby wolves. Meanwhile, we’re wishing Gloria a very happy Mother’s Day.
6amcity
 
Shoutout
Happy belated birthday (May 7) to AVLtoday member Madison B. We hope your special day was amazing! — AVLtoday team

Happy birthday to AVLtoday members Laurie A. (May 13) and Marilyn W. (May 15). We’re wishing you all the best on your day! — AVLtoday team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Asheville.

Become a AVLtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.
Become a member, get benefits
The Wrap
 
Grace Powers.JPEG

Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
Did the mention of Ashleigh Shanti ring a bell? She’s racked up a long list of accomplishments, from Top Chef competitor and sommelier to resident fish slinger at Good Hot Fish. Try her food at Rosettes, which opened in Louisville last week.
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