Venture Asheville’s Entrepreneurship Week is back in business, returning from Tuesday, Sept. 2 to Saturday, Sept. 9 with a lineup of panels, workshops, and pitch parties happening across the city.
Here are a few events you should make it your business to attend if you’re looking to climb the career ladder:
Pitch Party | Tuesday, Sept. 2 | 6 p.m. | Hatch Event Space | Free, RSVP | Pitch big ideas, get feedback, and connect with the WNC startup community.
Understanding the AVL Economy | Thursday, Sept. 4 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Mojo Coworking | Free, RSVP | Leaders of the Economic Development Coalition and Venture Asheville will discuss data and trends that shape our region’s industries and jobs.
Go All In on Your Calling | Friday, Sept. 5 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Hatchworks | Free, RSVP | This interactive workshop will instill you with all the clarity and confidence you need to achieve your next big goal.
Sixpence None The Richer | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $38+ | Hear late ‘90s hits like “Kiss Me” and “There She Goes.”
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Guided Trail Walk | 1-3 p.m. | The NC Arboretum | Free+ | Guides will lead you through the forest to uncover wildflowers, identify trees, and teach natural history — the walk is free, but parking fees apply.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
We Are Neighbors: Faces of Our Community | 4-7 p.m. | 12 Baskets Cafe | Free | Portraits and stories from our community will be shared to honor connection, dignity, and belonging.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Italian Night at The Farm | 6-9 p.m. | The Farm, Candler | $82 | Indulge in a delicious Italian meal accompanied by dreamy live Italian music from Mike Guggino and Barrett Smith of Steep Canyon Rangers and guitarist Beppe Gambetta.
Friday, Aug. 29
Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL | Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Pack Square Park | Free+ | Celebrating the region’s history of rebuilding with heritage trail tours, community workshops, local artisans, and lots of live music from bands like Papadosio.
Drivin N Cryin | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $27 | Hear tracks like “Fly Me Courageous” and “Honeysuckle Blues” from the Southern rock band.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Garden Party Turns 7 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Garden Party | Free | Celebrate with a storewide sale, pottery, flash tattoos, tarot readings, silver paper portraits, and a taste of what’s to come next door at Finest Deli.
Sunday, Aug. 31
2025 Blue Ridge Pride Pageant | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Eulogy | $22 | Contestants will compete through performance, costume, and questions for the coveted crown.
Symphony in the Park | 7 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | The annual concert will round out Boomtown FestAVL, with the first half earning a family-friendly hip-hop twist, courtesy of Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.
Sunday, Sept. 7
Pinkish Floyd: Bright Side of the Moon | 7-9 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | $10+ | Enjoy an evening in the Meadow with Pinkish Floyd as they celebrate their 3rd annual performance at Highland to the rise of the full moon.*
Want to reach Asheville locals? Here’s the easiest way to advertise right now
Graphic by 6AM City
Let’s be honest: advertising can feel like a lot.
Back-and-forth meetings and a whole lot of waiting just to get your advertising efforts started. That’s exactly why we built the 6AM City Self-Service Ad Portal: a refreshingly simple way to get your brand in front of thousands of engaged Asheville readers — on your time, your terms, and without the usual slowdown.
Whether you’re a small business looking for a quick awareness boost or a growing brand ready to dive into a new market, our portal is here to help you connect with the community, minus the fuss.
During a community meeting, Costco reps told Enka residents they plan to submit official site plans for Asheville’s first store within weeks. The 25-acre project, which includes 839 parking spaces, could take up to two years to complete. After plans are submitted, the project will go before the Planning & Zoning Commission, then City Council. (Asheville Watchdog)
Real Estate
Bowen National Research’s Housing Needs Assessment found the Asheville area needs 34,000 housing units in the next five years. About 1,400 units need to be replaced post-Helene, more than 25% of households are cost-burdened, and housing growth will be led by residents 75+. Dig further into each finding. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Outdoors
Helene paused plans for projects included in Buncombe County’s Systemwide Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and now, the plan is being revised for our post-storm landscape. Share your priorities for the parks system in a new survey, open through September. Adoption of the new plan is slated for February.
Ranked
No. 296. That’s where Asheville’s Nesbitt Discovery Academy just ranked in a report of the nation’s best high schools. Almost 18,000 schools were ranked using metrics like academic performance and college preparation. Consider yourself a top student? Prove it on our games site. (US News & World Report)
Stat
54%. That’s the percentage of Americans who say they consume alcohol — the lowest number recorded since tracking began in 1939. If you’re part of the 46% taking a break from booze (but still want a delicious drink), peruse our list of Asheville’s alcohol-free sips.
Psst — you might be overpaying for flights. Get flight alerts to dream destinations during Going’s biggest sale ever, with 53% off memberships until Sunday, August 31.*
This section of road is newly completed after landslide repairs. | Photo via National Park Service
Just in time for leaf season coming up, you can now drive 38 continuous miles along the Blue Ridge Parkway, from milepost 382, near the Folk Art Center, to milepost 420, near the Graveyard Fields area and Black Balsam Knob.
The section of roadway is open following the completion of a landslide repair project at Ferrin Tunnel No. 3, around milepost 401.5.
This popular section of parkway includes spots like Pisgah Inn, Mount Pisgah campground, and trails including Graveyard Fields, Skinny Dip Falls, and Frying Pan Mountain Trails.
The remaining repair project along the Parkway’s southern section is for a slide near milepost 421 — it’s also expected to be completed this summer. The projects are part of the first phase of a three-part recovery plan that has a pending completion date of fall 2026.
Sunflow’s premium beach accessories, perfect for one last summer hurrah this Labor Day. Good news: Sunflow’s biggest sale of the year starts today, with 20% off sitewide.
🐚 The best-selling Shore Thing Chair reclines to three positions and is built to last, thanks to a rust-resistant frame + water-resistant marine fabrics.
🪸 Newly launched this summer, the Tall Sand Dune Chair has all the iconic features of Sunflow’s chairs, just 17 inches off the ground.
🌊 Looking for shade without blocking your ocean view? Say hello to the newly launched and patent-pending Happy Hut Cabana — and goodbye to awkward beach umbrellas.*
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.
Rowan’s West Asheville cafe has a scrumptious new menu, inspired by Scandinavian, Southern, and seasonal fare. Personally, the daily Danish pancake special is calling my name. Stop by daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the full menu, and in the evening for snacks and small plates.
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