Since 1987, milk has been the official state beverage of North Carolina, but us Tar Heels have another unofficial (and far more storied) state drink up our sleeve: the Cherry Bounce.
This concoction of corn whiskey, sourwood honey, and cherry juice was invented in the mid 1800s by prolificmoonshiner Amos Owens, akaThe Cherry Bounce King, who lived atop Cherry Mountain in Rutherford County (~1 hour away).
The Rutherford-based South Mountain Distilling’s reproduction. | Photo via South Mountain Distillery
Amos, who was described as a “rotund, red-faced, jovial Leprechaun of an Irishman,” began making batches of Cherry Bounce after concluding his military service in the Civil War. What made his elixir special, he asserted, was that it “had been trod in Old World style by the bare feet of his beautiful daughters.”
At the peak of its popularity, folks from across NC made the pilgrimage to Cherry Mountain for a chance to guzzle the good stuff, and it’s said that folks as far west as the Mississippi River became enamored with the beverage.
This NA version of the Cherry Bounce uses Kentucky 74 “Bourbon.” | Photo by @hey_nolo
Cherry Mountain also became the site of an annual summer festival, which celebrated the time of year when cherries were the ripest. Back in the day, folks would pay a flat fee of 25 cents for all-you-can-eat food and all-you-can-drink Cherry Bounce, complete with dancing, banjos, and fiddles.
The festival also had a reputation of being quite violent, with lots of boxing and a gruesome activity called “gander pulling.” To this day, the annual Cherry Bounce Festival still operates in Forest City, though in a much more legal and safe capacity.
Like many moonshiners who refused to pay taxes + register their stills with the federal government, the law eventually caught up to Amos — though he certainly did his best to thwart it.
Click the button below to find out what happened next — and for a Cherry Bounce recipethat you don’t need a still to create.
$1 Oyster Happy Hour | Fri., July 29 | 5 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel, 32 Broadway St. | Free | Get a great deal on local oysters with crackers, mignonette, and Espinaler sauce – plus special wine + cider pairings. 🦪
Grateful Getdown | Fri., July 29 | 7 p.m. | Silverados, 2898 U.S. 70, Black Mountain | Free | Dance the night away with this local Grateful Dead tribute band.
An Evening with Sam Fribush Organ Trio | Fri., July 29 | 6 p.m. | One World West, 520 Haywood Rd. | $10 | This funk and soul-influenced Hammond Organ player is best known for playing in the Raleigh-based band Hiss Golden Messenger.
[title of show] | Now-Sun., Aug. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St. | $15-30 | A fresh and funny meta-musical about its own making, [title of show] is a love letter to the magic and mess of creativity and collaboration. *
Saturday
Budos Band | Sat., July 30 | 7 p.m. | The Outpost, 521 Amboy Rd. | $27+ | Catch this funky, Brazilian instrumental ensemble at this new venue’s very first outdoor concert. 🎷
Grove Arcade Summer Festival | Sat., July 30 | 12-7 p.m. | Grove Arcade | Free | The inaugural festival will feature indoor and outdoor games, food + drink specials, and live music from Travers Brothership, Random Acts of Music, and Tommy Parti. 🎊
The Glyph | Sat., July 30 | 3 + 7 p.m. | BMCM+AC, 120 College St. | $10+ | Dancer and choreographer Polly Motley and pianist Yukiko Takagi perform “The Glyph,” a playful work created by dancer Katherine Litz and composer Lou Harrison. 🩰
Urban Garden Tour and Tasting with Bountiful Cities | Sat., July 30 | 2-6 p.m. | 198 Vermont Ave. | Free or $35 for food + beverage tasting | Seven local food producing gardens will open their gates for visitors, educational activities, and tours. 🥕
Summer Music Series: Texas Peat | Sat., July 30 | Main Street Nature Park, Weaverville | 6 p.m. | Free | Bring a picnic, chair, or blanket + enjoy an evening of local music in the park.
Mercedes Benz MTN Bike Watch Party | Sat., Aug. 6 | 12-9 p.m. | Riveter, 701 Old Fanning Rd., Mills River | $25 | Ashevillians are invited to watch the Summer Throwdown Bouldering Competition and catch the DIRTVANA Bike Park Jam in person at the Riveter Bike Park. 🚲 *
Color Outside the Lines Virtual Retreat | Fri., Aug. 19-Sun., Aug. 21 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Virtual | $497 | MKTS-nickname are invited to a transformational and life-changing virtual retreat led by trauma specialist Dr. Madison Brightwell, PsyD., using the creative arts + nature to improve mental health.*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Want to meet your elected officials? On Thurs., Aug. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a free “Elected Officials Reception” (36 Montford Ave.). While the guest list isn’t finalized, you can expect to see mayors, council + commission members, and state representatives. 🗳️
At next month’s AVLmeetup, there will be a panel discussion about affordable housing solutions withJessie Figuora of Homeward Bound, Michelle Moore of HACA, Kate Pett of Thrive Asheville, and Adeline Wolfe of Mountain Housing Opportunities. The event is at Archetype Brewing-North on Tues., Aug. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Development
Two microhousing developments(that’s 231 tiny apartments) have been proposed for Aston Street in downtown Asheville — blocks away from the city’s first approved microhousing development. For the project to move forward, it requires approval from the Technical Review Committee, Design Review Commission, and Planning and Zoning Commission. 🏢 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Arts
J Art Fest, a three-part series that celebrates Jewish art, kicks off this Sun., July 31, 3-6 p.m. with “An Exploration of Israeli Sculptural Fine Art” at Contemporaneo Gallery (236 Charlotte St.). This afternoon of hors d’oeuvres + wine features a lecture from artist Yaacov Agam and Zammy Migdal’s mixed-media sculptures and paintings. 🎨
Eat
The next round of Chow Chow events runs Thurs., Aug. 4-Sun., Aug. 7. The weekend includes a free screening of “Ratatouille,” a “Cooking with Scraps” seminar, the Makers Market, a corn-themed culinary extravaganza, and other delicious happenings. See the full schedule. 🌽
Try This
American Vinyl Co. has launched a microrecording studio that allows people to record their voices on a vinyl disc. For $20, guests can record a message or song inside the converted vintage booth + within five minutes it will record directly to a 7-inch, 45 rpm vinyl record. 🎙️(Mountain Xpress)
Drink
We love this news a latte.High Five Coffee has announced it will host a “Latte Art Throwdown” on Fri., Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at its 13 Rankin Ave. location. The competition will be open to the whole community. More details to come. ☕
Asked
What bars + breweries regularly serve NA beers? We’re putting together a list of sober-friendly options for folks who don’t consume alcohol, but still enjoy the atmosphere of a tavern. Let us know.
Announced
Congrats to reader David K. who was randomly selected to win $1,000 cash as a thank you for completing our recent product survey. David has been contacted by our team. Thanks to all of you who let us know your preferences about our product so we can continue making it better. (Didn’t share your thoughts? You still can.)
Local
In case you missed it, AVLtoday just launched our very own membership program. Membership starts at just $25 and helps keep our local news products free to all Ashevillians — plus, members get perks like birthday deals, personal shoutouts, Six & Main discounts + more. Sign up. 🎉
Community
Ever wondered how to sell at the WNC Farmers Market? We’ve got the answers. Affordable + flexible rentals allow farmers to sell various types of products with ease. Pro tip: The newest selling option, Truck Shed 1, allows daily rentals for farmers looking to see if the market is a good fit.*
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The fields of Jeter Mountain Farm are alive with two acres of blooming zinnias.
This weekend, the beloved mountaintop meadow opens its U-Cut Flower Experience to the public, which includes flower picking, a scenic wagon ride, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Pssst, while you’re there, you can also check out the farm’s U-pick peach + blueberry offerings. Your dream garden and cobbler party awaits.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick: Anyone remember the grape stomping scene in I Love Lucy? This is where the AVLtoday team’s mind immediately went when we learned the Cherry Bounce was stomped by Amos’ daughters.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? You don’t wanna miss this interview with Leah Wong Ashburn, CEO and President of Highland Brewing Co.
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