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Plan Ahead
📅 So, here’s the plan...
The festival is green as far as the eye can see. | Photo via Asheville Herb Festival
It’s time to spring into action because Asheville’s April calendar is stacked. From can’t-miss concerts to a renaissance-themed rendezvous, here are our top events heading into April.
Color Me Asheville | Friday, April 17 | 6 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $34 | See fabulous fashions grace the runway, all crafted using repurposed materials found at Goodwill.
Downtown After 5 | Friday, April 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | The concert series kicks off with high-energy Appalachian roots, welcoming headliner Sam Burchfield and opening act Hillclimbers and Friends.
The Hobbit Affairs | Saturday, April 18-Sunday, April 19 | 12-8 p.m. | Sweeten Creek Brewing | Free | Dress in your most mystical outfit to celebrate spring in the Shire with music, games, live blacksmith demos, and more.
Asheville Herb Festival | Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26 | Times vary | WNC Ag Center | Free | The largest herb festival in the US is back for its 36th year, with 80+ herb vendors showcasing the freshest flora WNC has to offer.
A Pennsylvania-based developer has proposed two 100% affordable apartment complexes in the Shiloh neighborhood, totaling 226 units. Both projects will go before Asheville’s Technical Review Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission by May. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Travel
The Asheville Regional Airport has launched a community support drive, supplementing internal efforts to aid its 96 TSA team members currently working without pay amid the partial federal government shutdown. The community can donate gift cards of $20 or less to grocery stores and gas stations, or prepaid debit gift cards.
Real Estate
Mountain Housing Opportunities is nearly finished building Star Point, a 60-unit affordable housing community located off Tunnel Road for renters earning up to 60% AMI. Tentatively slated to open in May 2026, Star Point is now leasing all available units.
Active
Get ready to throw down with Asheville Parks and Recreation during its Game of Throws: Adult Dodgeball Night on Friday, April 17 at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center. Players 16 and up can register to attend. If it’s a lively game, it could be added to weekly or monthly programming.
Cause
3 million. That’s how many diapers local diaper bank Babies Need Bottoms has distributed to WNC families in need. In response to rising community need, the diaper bank has opened a new Volunteer Hub and is actively recruiting volunteers — learn how you can help.
Sports
The Asheville Tourists will play ball beginning Tuesday, April 21, showing off a refreshed McCormick Field after its $40 million renovation. And although the revamp costs a pretty penny, single game ticket prices will only increase 50 cents to “reflect inflation and supplier price adjustments.” (Asheville Watchdog)
State
Now you can avoid agonizing over DMV lines. The NCDMV rolled out a new web feature, showing estimated wait times and real-time capacity status in offices across the state.
Category
City
Progress on the county’s largest park
The mountain provides incredible views of the city. | Photo by Travis Bordley via SAHC
The project will expand access to green space west of Asheville while protecting a significant stretch of mountain landscape. The property includes a 3,118-ft peak, open space with sweeping 180-degree views of the French Broad River Valley, and 16 headwater streams. Plans for the park could include passive recreation, hiking trails, and opportunities for outdoor education.
The majority of funding came from two grants: the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant and the NC Land and Water Grant.
With the deal officially done, Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is preparing the next step, putting out a Request for Qualifications to find a team to design the park. The project will roll out in phases, with the first round of design work expected to kick off this summer.
The Buy
A customizable body pillow for head-to-toe comfort. Seamlessly adjust the fill to your ideal level for plush, full-body support all night long. Plus, it’s machine washable + never loses its shape and softness after multiple washes.
One more April adventure to put on your radar. On Saturday, April 11, the Cradle of Forestry opens for the spring season. Bonus: It’s a fee-free day, so you can explore the Pisgah Forest historical site at no cost.
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