The holiday is a good excuse for a little community celebration (even if it’s a spine-chilling one). | Photo via Asheville Parks and Recreation
Hurricane Helene put our city’s normally full-to-bursting calendar on an indefinite hold. Residents rallied to offer support, gathering together to donate, volunteer, and keep vigil — but as businesses were forced to close and folks worked to meet basic needs, our usual celebrations mostly ceased.
But even though there’s a long road ahead, Asheville is coming alive again, and local businesses, venues, and organizations are using the spooky season to show that a storm can’t dampen our spirits.
So don a costume or just come as you are to one of these Halloween happenings.
Doors Open Downtown Halloween Block Party | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 4-7 p.m. | Downtown Asheville | Free | Trick or treat at local businesses while you listen to music and enjoy activities — plus, your pup can join in the dog costume contest at Spicer Greene Jewelers.
All Hallow’s Eve/Samhain Purrrty | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 4-9 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic | Free | Compete in the three costume contests to win a prize or just celebrate with food trucks, tarot readers, vendors, and lots of seasonal activities.
Booville Community Halloween Party | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 5-8 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center | Free | Area families can dress up to trick-or-treat and enjoy candy stations and a live DJ.
World Famous Halloween Dance Party | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 5 p.m. | The Brew Pump | Free | Food trucks will fill you up and DJs will keep the party going for all ages.
A Divinely Lazrluvr Halloween | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Taproom at Highland Brewing | $10+ | The 80s tribute band will rock the stage with synth beats while Divine the Bearded Lady emcees the costume contest.
Halloween House Party | Thursday, Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $10+ suggested donation | DJ Marley Carroll will spin spine-tingling classics, moody disco, and more during this benefit for ArtsAVL’s Disaster Relief Fund — costumes are encouraged.
This renovated unit combines the history of a 1901 building with sleek and modern updates. |Photos provided by Reese Real Estate, Inc.
Looking for downtown luxury? This new listing by Reese Real Estate, Inc. blends historic charm and modern elegance in the building that once housed the Oxford Hotel.
Located above The Haen Gallery, this loft-style condo faces the mountains and is just steps away from entertainment, dining, and shopping. The renovated space features:
An open floor plan
High ceilings + large windows (think: so much natural light)
Halloween, Samhain, and the eve of Dia de los Muertos, which takes place from Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2. Whether you’re decorating for trick-or-treaters, preparing an ofrenda, or just going about business as usual, check out these terrifying movies made right here in Asheville.
Announced
The National Park Service has restored access to two new sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, from US 276 to Black Balsam (milepost 411.8 to 421) and NC 215 to US 441 in Cherokee (milepost 423.2 to 469). All trails and crossings in these sections are also accessible, but visitors are urged to use caution.
Civic
To allow staff to focus attention on recovery efforts, the City of Asheville has suspended all advisory and quasi-judicial boards staffed by city employees, as well as all council committees, until Wednesday, Jan. 1. Exceptions will be made for time-sensitive or storm-related meetings. City Council meetings will continue. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Arts
ArtsAVL is asking Buncombe County arts businesses to complete a short assessment survey, sharing how you were impacted by the storm, your current needs, and how you plan to move forward. The information will aid the nonprofit as it plans to expand relief grants to include businesses.
Cause
Asheville native Rachel Dudasik has established the WNC Long Haul Recovery and Resilience Fund. The fund, managed as a Donor Advised Fund through the Community Foundation of WNC, will provide sustained assistance through assessments and grant disbursements at key post-storm milestones — three and six months, one and three years.
Biz
Local leaders and reps from organizations like the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association and the Downtown Association will speak at the next small business recovery session tomorrow, Nov. 1 at Mojo Coworking. Register for the session focused on civic updates and resources for recovery + rebuilding.
Outdoors
Pisgah National Forest has launched the Helene Extended Stay Program at its Davidson River, Lake Powhatan, and North Mills River campgrounds. In an effort to aid recovery for those affected by the storm, the program waives the 14-day camping limit to allow guests to stay for a longer period. Submit a request.
Regional
Michelin-starred chef and television personality Gordon Ramsey has partnered with Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel to open a new dining concept on the property in Murphy. Ramsey’s Kitchen is expected to begin service in early 2025.
Job
We’re looking for a rising star media seller to be our Sales Executive in charge of National Brand Partnerships with a primary focus on sports newsletters. Apply to join the 6AM City team.
Featured
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Category
Community
Updates + need-to-know information
Storm debris removal will move through zones of the county. | Map via Buncombe County
The following article is being updated on our website daily. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Note: There will be no Buncombe County briefings on Friday, Nov. 1 or Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Storm debris cleanup continues throughout the county
By the end of the week, debris pick up trucks will expand from zones E, G, and H (which are located in southeast Buncombe County, including Fairview, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa) to zone D, which is in the northeast area of the county, including Barnardsville.
Residents in these areas should place as much of their debris as possible by the right-of-way. Don’t worry, though — this is a first pass and there will be multiple passes. If trucks have come by your area already, they will come by again.
Spectrum makes a statement
Patti Michel of Charter Communications shared that 99% of Spectrum service has been restored, with 1,600 customers still offline. Michel emphasized the difficult conditions faced by the local teams but said that all accessible homes and businesses will have internet restored within 48 hours. If you’re not online by then, contact Spectrum — you may need additional repairs, so crews will be dispatched. Once service is restored, Michel said that credit for the time without service will be applied to accounts.
In the midst of the devastating disruption of our lives and the pivoting that our publication has done in the face of this disaster, it was really a joy to share something so normal as Halloween events. So I’ve got one more event I want to share with you — butmore celestial than scary. The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute and AstroBrevard have rescheduled Brilliant Brews and Stellar Views for Friday, Nov. 8. NASA/JPL Ambassador David Johnson will lead the night of stargazing at Ecusta Brewing in Brevard. And if that’s a little too far from home, mark your calendar for Asheville Astronomy Club’s next public stargaze on Friday, Nov. 30.
