On Thursday, June 26, the North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville announced that Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s world-famous trolls will stomp their way into the forests of the arboretum. Beginning Saturday, Nov. 15, “Trolls: A Field Study,” will debut, making Asheville the first North American host of the exhibit.
So what exactly will the seven- to nine-foot wooden trolls be doing here? Studying you. Twelve trolls, all with different personalities, will be placed throughout the formal gardens and trails to “learn about humankind” and the way of life here in WNC.
This is Taks, the trolls’ fearless leader.
Photo by Thomas Dambo
Treasure maps will be available for you to track down these curious creatures, with six featured as honored guests of the Arboretum’s Winter Lights exhibit. A book will accompany the exhibit, sharing the adventures and lessons learned about humans from the trolls’ perspective.
Dambo’s trolls are made from recycled materials, like fallen branches, wooden pallets, and twigs. He calls these specific sculptures “baby trolls,” since they’re considerably shorter than some of his other creatures, which can range up to 36 feet tall. Over the years, Dambo’s exhibits have traveled from China to Chile to Australia.
Super Summer Book Sale | Friday, June 27-Saturday, June 28 | Times vary | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Expand your collection of antique, collectible, and coffee table books — plus, explore special deals on all items in Bookends Used Book Store.
Open Studio Party and Sale | 4-8 p.m. | Loom Imports Studio | Free | Shop vintage clothing, accessories, and home goods to help Loom Imports celebrate its expanded studio.
Saturday, June 28
Gaelic Games: Highland Field Day 2025 | 11 a.m. | Highland Brewing Company | Free | The brewery’s first-ever Gaelic Games includes hilarious competitions, free-play games, live music, and Gaelic Ales.
Haw, Yeah! Three-Year Anniversary Block Party | 2-8 p.m. | The Whale Outpost | Free | Celebrate the Haw Creek beer bar with three musical acts, local food trucks, good vibes, and cold beers — a portion of proceeds benefit Water to Wine.
Stonewall Gala | 5-10 p.m. | Location shared purchase | $120+ | Commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising with the theme “Resilience and Resistance,” inviting speakers to share about Helene response and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Maryland Crab Feast | 6-9 p.m. | Hail Mary | $90 | Dine on fresh steamed large blue crabs, crab dip, shrimp, and all the fixins at this family-style feast.
Asheville StorySLAM “HOSPITALITY” | 6:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $18 | Share a five-minute standout story of Southern hospitality at the open mic.
Monday, June 30
Assemble a Workbench Workshop | 12-4 p.m. | Asheville Tool Library | $15+ suggested donation | Get hands-on experience with some of the most common wood fastening tools and methods.
Tuesday, July 1
Asheville Tourists Blood Drive | 11 a.m. | McCormick Field | Free | Donate blood to save lives, support the home team, and score an exclusive Tourists jersey + two tickets to a home game.*
We’re tickled pink. The former SunTrust bank on Haywood Road got a bright, magenta makeover, transforming into the future home of Chemical Romance hair salon. The salon is aiming for an August opening. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Opening
The team behind The Radical is opening RAD Rendezvous, an artist studio and retail space located next door to the hotel. Opening Friday, Aug. 1, the space will accommodate 40 artists with studio space, both solo and shared, as well as two retail tenants.
Number
5 years. That’s the anniversary Jettie Rae’s is celebrating on Saturday, July 13 with a classic fish fry. Reel in a $45 ticket for crispy fried cod and shrimp, hushpuppies, coleslaw, hand-cut fries, pimento cheese, and more from Chef Antonio Perez.
Outdoors
The Blue Ridge Parkway is expected to be open from Asheville to Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell this fall, according to National Park Service staff. However, a timeline for Mount Mitchell State Park’s reopening is still up in the air. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Featured
The Asheville Pinball Museum is in the running to be named one of the best arcades in the country by Newsweek. Cast a vote to help the local spot reach the national spotlight — winners are announced in late July. (WLOS)
Transit
ART bus service will return to regular service on Tuesday, July 1 after about a month of adjusted routes due to staffing shortages. See which routes will change back next week.
Plan Ahead
Teams from nine local businesses + restaurants will compete to be crowned the Royal Weiner at The Big Weiner Party, a collaborative and comical event from Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ and Asheville Comedy Festival. Grab tickets to the Saturday, Aug. 9 competition to taste the dogs and support Linked4Life.
This doctor-recommended vibrator has been shown in published studies to help heighten arousal and support comfort when dryness occurs, thanks to its ultra-flexible shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 30% today.*
Featured Deal
Athleta’s Semi-Annual Sale is on. Take up to 70% off bestsellers, workout staples, and everyday favorites built to move with you. Hurry — the sale ends Sunday, June 29.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Today’s the day. Antique Tobacco Barn is reopening this morning at 10 a.m. after being devastated by Helene, and I’m over the moon that they’re back. Last week, I visited NYC and saw this familiar sticker on the back of a car (with New York plates, I’ll add) in Dimes Square, so I had to snap a pic. Happy antique hunting.
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