11.22.2023

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Today’s Forecast

50º | Cloudy | 20% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 5:19 p.m.

Culture

Behind the gingerbread scenes

Gingerbread house on competition table at Omni Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition

These aren’t your average gingerbread houses. | Photo by AVLtoday

The moment we arrive on the hotel property, it’s clear something big is going down. There’s a long line of cars in front of a set of glass doors, surrounded by people clad in festive t-shirts and bustling around with jolly-but-stressed expressions. Just inside those doors, a group of competitors gathers around a table that marks their first stop on the way to the 31st Annual Omni Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition.

A gingerbread journey

This first stop is gingerbread triage. Competitors wheel their creations in on luggage trolleys or homemade carts and whip out the icing to repair any damage incurred on the journey here. Because even though this is technically the official first stop before display, it’s hardly the beginning.

Some competitors have been working on their houses since Jan. 1. One competitor, Beatriz Mejia, traveled from Guatemala, while another bought their gingerbread house a seat on a plane from California.

Competitors wheeling in gingerbread house in Omni Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition — The entries are gently directed toward their designated display spot.
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Photo by AVLtoday

This is serious baking business — which shows when the competitors + their entries move past registration, take a harrowing ride up an elevator, stop at the top for professional photos, and get ready to transport the gingerbread houses into the Grand Ballroom. Competition staff meet them at the door to point out potentially hazardous bumps on the ground and direct them to their spot in the long rows of tables.

No matter the competitor — kid or adult, professional or amateur — there’s a moment, as they lift the creation off the cart to set it on display, that everyone holds their breath. (Luckily, we witnessed no gingerbread accidents.)

Squid and shipwreck gingerbread house at the Omni Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition — Don’t let the term “gingerbread house” fool you — these are some creative creations.
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Photo by AVLtoday

This year, there are around 200 entries, with everything from traditional holiday scenes to alien abductions, Barbie Dreamhouses to sea monster shipwrecks. And everything is edible. Entries have to be at least 60% handcrafted (some 3D printing or laser cutting is allowed), and at least 75% of the main structure has to be gingerbread. With those rules in mind, the artistry of these pieces is a little staggering.

Any dessert we planned on bringing to Thanksgiving dinner now feels woefully inadequate.

See the display for yourself

Asked

What are you most thankful for this year?

We’re thankful for you, Asheville. But there’s a lot to celebrate this Thanksgiving — so we want to hear the people and places, memories and moments that have you feeling grateful this season.

We're feeling grateful

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 22

Family Avoidance: A Thanksgiving Comedy Showcase | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 9-11 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | $15 | Start the holiday weekend de-stressed with help from an evening of escapism and laughs.
Psych Night | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | Fleetwood’s, 496 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | You’re in for a wild night of 60s, 70s, and psych rock sounds, plus groovy vibes and visuals.

Thursday, Nov. 23

Thanksgiving Community Meal | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | 12 Baskets Cafe, 610 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | The café will be open and serving a free Thanksgiving meal during its normal hours, and the garden will be open for coffee and community.
Thanksgiving Day Potluck | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 1-8 p.m. | The Lazy Tiger Hostel, 104 Weaverville Rd., Woodfin | Free | Locals and visitors alike can bring a dish and break bread together — RSVP is required.

Friday, Nov. 24

Witchy Workshop: Tarot with Cats | Friday, Nov. 24 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic, 841 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | Learn to read tarot, and show your support for the cats in the lounge.
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley | Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Be Be Theatre, 20 Commerce St., Asheville | $20-$22 | Jane Austen’s world is brought to life during this yuletide sequel to “Pride & Prejudice.”

Saturday, Nov. 25

Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Asheville | Free | Join the larger-than-life extravaganza for an appearance from Santa, performances by the Asheville Ballet, aerial entertainment, festive drinks, and lots of holiday spirit.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

The menagerie is in for a makeover. The WNC Nature Center submitted a permit application for $1.5 million in renovations — including a gift shop, event plaza, and live butterfly exhibit. The project will go up for bid once the final application is approved, and construction is expected to start in spring 2024. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Civic

The City of Asheville shared an update on the Carter-Ann-Patton stormwater project, an ongoing effort to reduce flooding + improve safety. Most recently, the City has removed trees between N. Ann Street and Clingman Avenue, which will be replaced, and completed exploratory work around the French Broad and Patton intersection so construction can resume.

Cause

Support as far as the eye can see. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has turned Giving Tuesday into Giving Views Day as it seeks to raise $20,000 to clear overgrown vegetation at overlooks along the Parkway. You can help contribute to the scenic sights by donating to the Trails + Views Forever program.

Number

1,477,690. That’s how many dollars the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina awarded to 73 WNC nonprofits working in areas of early childhood development, food + farming, and human services. Grant recipients included the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, which received $45,000 for expansion of its Farm to Preschool project.

Arts

Applications are now open for Trillium Arts’ Miss Sarah Fellowship for Black Women Writers. This year, the fellowship will focus on fiction and provide a 10-day solo residency, a $1,000 stipend, and lodging in either Mars Hill or downtown Asheville. The application deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Regional

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has started to reopen some roads and facilities across the park, after damages sustained during severe weather required some closures. In addition to several reopened roads, Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds are open. However, the burn ban is still in effect.

Outdoors

From one mammal to another, “Eco Explore’s” new Field Season is all about the mind-blowing world of mammals. Through December, North Carolina kiddies are encouraged to join the latest expeditions at the NC Arboretum to SEE, SNAP, and SHARE wildlife pictures with scientists + earn badges and prizes along the way.*

Shop

Have an active loved one on your shopping list? Upway delivers rigorously inspected, certified, and 99% pre-assembled ebikes from top brands (think: Specialized, Aventon, and Super73) directly to your doorstep. Get up to $1,200 off for Black Friday, and score free express shipping with code TREE.*

Film

Tune in on Sunday for “A Biltmore Christmas”

Don’t forget to tune in for “A Biltmore Christmas”

Actors break an hourglass in A Biltmore Christmas

Hallmark movies are the stuff of holiday legend. Posters almost always feature an attractive couple in red and green sweaters. One probably has a high-powered city job and is taught the true meaning of small town Christmas. There’s likely a dog, some snow, and plenty of festive cheer.

But it seems like Asheville’s “A Biltmore Christmas” is subverting this proverbial plot formula. It follows screenwriter Lucy Hardgrove, who’s on set at Biltmore filming a remake of a 1940s classic. Thanks to a mysterious, magical hourglass, she’s transported back in time to the original set — where she falls for one of the film’s stars.

Even if you think you can predict the happy ending, you’ll get to see some Biltmore locations, like the Library and the Winter Garden, featured on screen and excitedly point them out to holiday guests.

“A Biltmore Christmas” premieres on the Hallmark Channel this Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. You can also stream it on Peacock.

See more stills from the film

The Buy

The Buy 11.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A bundle we’ll be snacking on all season, especially since it will be on sale this Saturday.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

The Monday after a holiday weekend can leave you feeling a little blue — the rest and relaxation, turkey and mashed potatoes are all a thing of the past as you return to real life. But there might be a way to keep your week lively. Local psychic medium Kelly Palmatier is hosting “An Evening with Spirit & Fundraiser for Asheville Cat Weirdos” at Hi-Wire Brewing in Biltmore Village on Monday, Nov. 27, 6-8 p.m. Grab a ticket for an evening of readings to benefit the local nonprofit.

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