Get ready for celebration + advocacy. | Photo via Blue Ridge Pride
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — AVLtoday’s Plan Ahead is back with the top events we recommend heading into June.
Festivals
Nerd Pride Fest 2025 | Saturday, June 7 | 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Warren Wilson College | Free | Shop from LGBTQ+ vendors, jam to live music from Holler and Crow, and grab a coffee from host org Asheville Phoenix Fire to support the opening of its inclusive coffee + mocktail bar.
RAD Solstice Celebration | Saturday, June 21 | 2-7 p.m. | RAD Brewing Co. | Free | Celebrate the RAD’s renewal on the longest day of the year — sign up to join the drum krewe, shop goods from local artists, and dance the day away with The Screamin’ Stevens.
Asheville Veganfest | Sunday, June 22 | 12-5 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | Fuel up on plant-based eats, shop from local vendors, and keep the fun going with free face painting and a 360 photo booth.
Steep Canyon Rangers | 6-10 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | Asheville’s hometown Americana heroes will rock the park with a free show.
Friday, May 30
WNC Nature Center Day | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | WNC Nature Center | $0+ | Celebrate a century of wildlife with special activities and a mural reveal — plus, the first 100 guests get in free.
Saturday, May 31
Chef Luis Martinez Goes Fish’n Pop-Up | 2-5 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop | Price of purchase | Add some brightness to your Saturday with Oaxacan and Mexican-style ceviches and tostadas.
Yoga Taco Mosa | 10 a.m. | The Grey Eagle | Donation-based | Bring your yoga mat and your appetite — the Taqueria will be open for tacos and drinks after class.
Family Block Party | 12-7 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage | Free | Grilled dogs and burgers, cold bevs, sweet tunes, and yard games — it’s what summer is all about.
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Soon, Rankin, then Wall Street parking garages, will be fully closed sequentially for a combined 10 weeks. The closures are the next phase of the city’s Parking Garage Capital Improvement Project to address high-priority repairs like waterproofing and electrical work. Construction is expected to begin in August.
Eat
OWL Bakery’s North Asheville location is growing. The bakery will expand into its neighboring property, the former Mad Dipper ice cream shop. Opening this summer, the additional space will allow for more production and welcome a retail area with goods from OWL and other local offerings. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
The WNC chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the I-26 Citizens’ Coalition have published a list of recommendations gathered at its recentCommunity Design Charrette, prioritizing pedestrian safety, lower noise and pollution impacts, and neighborhood connectivity. Read the key recommendations that were submitted to the NCDOT. (Mountain Xpress)
Transit
In more I-26 news, Asheville City Council published a letter co-signed by the Buncombe County Commissioners urging the NCDOT to consider an alternative design to the proposed I-26 bridge over Patton Avenue. Read the letter, which calls for “deeper collaboration” to create the final design.
Kids
Buncombe County Public Libraries’ 2025 Summer Learning Program kicks off next Tuesday, June 3. Through the end of August, kids up to 18 can pick up an activity sheet and complete 10 items for a free book, bookmark, and kiddie scoop from The Hop. Plus, check out special events for the program.
Civic
Buncombe County Commissioners established a Steering Committee to guide the Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan. Between 11 and 13 people representing a variety of sectors will inform the town’s recovery plan. Applications are due on Friday, June 20, and committee appointments will be made in August.
Prioritizing wellness feels effortless at Longview Carolina, a gated “agrihood” in Easley, SC. Rooted in Blue Zone principles, it blends scenic mountain views, a working farm, and thoughtful design — all just minutes from Greenville, Clemson, and downtown Easley. Learn more + schedule a tour.*
Category
Sports
Getting the ball rolling
2024 brought about 9,000 players to John B. Lewis Soccer Complex. | Photo via Explore Asheville
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority approved $2.65 million in funding to restore and improve two local sports complexes, John B. Lewis Soccer Complex and Bob Lewis Ballpark. Through Tourism Product Development Fund dollars, each area will be able to better support traveling sports tournaments and local teams.
Of the sum, nearly $2.2 million was awarded to the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex to rehabilitate the fields after damage from Helene. The complex supports both local sports programs, like youth and adult recreation soccer, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee, and brings traveling tournaments to our area. The complex is expected to reopen much faster than the surrounding recreation areas on Azalea Road, according to the city.
Bob Lewis Ballpark will receive $500,000 to pave the gravel lot and increase the capacity for weekend tournaments. With the new bridge at Enka Commerce Park bringing traffic, roadside parking is no longer an option.
A rechargeable handheld fan to keep you cool all summer long. With a battery life of up to 14 hours and three adjustable speeds, it’s our favorite hack to keep from overheating in warm weather.
Planning a lunch date?On Tuesdays, Farm Burger’s downtown location now offers $5 build-your-own burgers with up to three toppings. Then, wash it down with a $3 local draft. If you’re looking for more local lunch deals, check out our guide to grabbing lunch in Asheville for $10.
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