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Event Spotlight
A statue of Frederick Olmsted that’s located at the NC Arboretum. | Photo via @thencarboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is celebrating 39 years with its second annual Founder’s Day on Wednesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The occasion celebrates the Arboretum’s establishment in 1986 with activities throughout the day, including these happenings:
Garden history tours
Docents at the Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Arbor Evenings — this week’s show features Trabuco Salsa Band
As always, entry to the Arboretum will be free, but the standard parking fee will also be waived for the occasion.
Asked
Asked
How big is the North Carolina Arboretum?
A. 134 acres B. 234 acres C. 334 acres D. 434 acres
Trivia Night | 6-8 p.m. | Taproom At Highland Brewing Co. | Free | Put your knowledge to the test as Two Bald Guys and A Mic challenge you to answer questions and win prizes.
Cayla Clark: “Bout to Burst” | 7-9 p.m. | Eulogy | $20 | The local comedian + playwright performs her last big show before giving birth.
Danny Iannucci | 7-10 p.m. | Little Jumbo Bar | Free | Grab a drink and listen to the multi-genre musician with experience in Appalachian soul and bluegrass.
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.*
Botanical Drawing for Beginners | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | Free | Learn the basic techniques needed to preserve florals on paper at this donation-based, instructor-led class.
How To Find + Fund Your First Deal | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage | Free | Local experts go in depth at this session on how to find and fund your first real estate investment.
Wednesday, July 2
Steel Pulse : “50th Anniversary Tour” | 7-10 p.m. | French Broad River Brewery OUTDOOR | $41+ | The reggae revolutionaries perform their genre-defining music that has spoken to generations of listeners.
Thursday, July 3
Old Fort Pro Rodeo | Thursday, July 3-Friday, July 4 | 7:30 p.m. | 189 Catawba River Rd., Old Fort | $20 | The most extreme sport on dirt returns for a bucking good time followed by fireworks put on by the City of Old Fort.
Asheville City Council approved a revised plan for the 319 Biltmore apartment complex set to be built on city-owned land. The Biltmore Avenue project will include 221 units — 162 of which will be designated as affordable housing. Construction will be split into two stages, with Phase 1 slated to begin in 2026. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Number
72.2 million. That’s how many Americans are expected to travel for the Fourth of July, a 2.4% increase from last year. This includes an estimated 5.84 million people traveling by air — if you’re one of those flyers, familiarize yourself with Asheville Regional Airport before departure. (AAA)
State
It looks like North Carolinians believe in the power of sweet potatoes. That’s the most popular superfood in the state, based on Google search data compiled by Eachnight. If you want to buy some, or see what other goodies are growing in WNC, head to a local farmers market.
Outdoors
Take a peek at the first images taken by the largest digital camera ever built, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. While you may not get quite the same view, you can explore the night sky closer to home at UNC Asheville’s Lookout Observatory. (AP)
Film
“Jaws,” often credited as the original summer blockbuster, is now 50 years old. Steven Spielberg’s thriller debuted on June 20, 1975, but it seems a comeback is lurking. The film will return to local theaters this summer, starting Aug. 29. (USA TODAY)
Try This
According to recent surveys, Gen Zers (primarily teen boys) are spending more on personal fragrances — and not just Axe body spray. If you’re looking for a personalized fragrance, we recommend checking out Auratherapy at Grove Arcade, where you can find your scent. (CO)
Stat
45%. That’s the percentage of Americans who believe they need to make at least a six-figure annual income to be comfortable financially. Explore our jobs board to see if that six-figure salary is waiting for you locally. (Bankrate)
Health
Novant Health Women’s Specialty Care offers expert, comprehensive care designed for every stage of life. From annual exams and surgical care to menopause management and cancer screenings, their team delivers personalized support in one convenient, welcoming location. Learn more.*
Cause
It’s Freedom Week, so now’s a great time to give back and make a powerful impact in Asheville. Now through Saturday, July 5, donate blood with The Blood Connection to help meet the urgent needs of local hospitals facing summer trauma surges. Sign up, save lives, and earn rewards.*
Community
Uh-oh, short-staffed again? Don’t sweat it — the AVLtoday Job Board has your back. Post your job, reach awesome local talent, and get that role filled fast. Oh, and did we mention it’s totally free? Yep, like zero dollars.
It’s easy to spend hours browsing Asheville’s bookstores. | Photo via AVLtoday
Between the days of summer heat and the unrelenting rain, we find ourselves gravitating toward the comforting confines of Asheville’s bookstores. Whether you’re looking for niche interests, broad subjects, cafes with comfy seating, or aisles with stacks of books on the floor, you won’t be searching long.
Sip while you search
Character Study
The sister bar to Little Jumbo has shelves brimming with used books for purchase, all sourced down the road at Bagatelle Books. Sip on something strong and scour the shelves for all the dark academia vibes.
Cuentos y Café
This pop-up shop offers a curated selection of new and used books that center on BIPOC and BIPOC LGBTQ+ authors. Join its book club and follow along on social media to see where they pop up next (often at coffee shops and local markets).
Lit Local
These mini bookshops are hidden in coffee shops, breweries, and stores across Asheville, connecting you to, you guessed it, local literature. Simply grab a book that catches your eye, then scan the QR code to pay for it.
We’ve got all the Fourth of July essentials you need and won’t immediately throw away after the holiday. (Think: Family-friend games you can play all summer long, a reusable + safe alternative to fireworks, and grill accessories that last). Buy these items today for the chance for them to arrive before the holiday.
🍖 Get the grill ready with this scouring stone that cleans better and faster than a brush.
🔥 Speaking of the grill, trade your old pocket lighter for this windproof one.
🎆 This light up bubble blower serves as a safe, kid-friendly replacement for fireworks.
🇺🇸 This red, white, and blue reusable tablecloth is stain-resistant and waterproof.
☀️ No summer holiday is complete without a fun backyard game like Spikeball or lifesize Jenga.
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.
Can you believe July starts tomorrow? The month has been designated National Picnic Month, and we’re well-prepared to celebrate in Asheville. If you need help finding a picnicking spot, we have plenty of local recommendations. We’ll leave it up to you to determine the menu.
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