May 21, 2011: Historic Montford's Music & Arts Festival

This is the eighth year for the Montford Music & Arts Festival, held May 21, 2011 beginning at 10am. Montford is a wonderful historic neighborhood in Asheville, NC, right at the edge of downtown. The Montford District displays beautiful homes and B & B's, most of these pieces of art preserved by recent renovations, or well on their way. The festival celebrates the tradition of Montford, home to many local artists, musicians, & food artisans. Best of all (for us) the festival is FREE!!

Calling all comic book junkies, May 19-May 21, 2011 FANATICON 2

It's that time of year again for all you sci-fi lovers and comic book junkies: welcome masquerading heroes and villains to Asheville, NC for Fanaticon 2!! The official day for the main festivities this Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 10am-6pm. You can start getting into character Thursday night at 7pm with movies and trivia. Follow that up on Friday (stay your super hero self the whole weekend long!!) at 8:02pm until 11:02pm (if you are interested in this festival, I'm sure you know why we are on the :02's) for party night; get the full schedule here (so sorry we missed the Fanaticon stroll!!). Be sure to make time to check out the artists and vendors as well!

Fiber Weekend at Folk Art's Center, May 14-15, 2011

The Folk Art's Center is part of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 382 (my last entry was about the BRP). Besides the beauty of the regular crafts on display and up for sale, this upcoming weekend the Center hosts a Fiber Weekend. Saturday, May 14 is Fiber Day, a day filled with activities and hands-on demonstrations. Following this day is the 12th Annual Fashion Show of Wearable Art, on Sunday, May 15.

14th Annual Biltmore/Kiwanis 5k/15k Classic May 15, 2011

Calling runners of all abilities! The 14th Annual Biltmore/Kiwanis 5k/15k Classic takes place May 15, 2011. The 5k begins at 8am, and the 15k begins at 8:05 am; get your running shoes on! The race is held at the beautiful NC Arboretum, and it's a perfect time of year to take in the spring showcase of the Appalachian Mountains!

National Public Gardens Day Friday, May 6, 2011

The National Public Gardens Day is in it's third year, celebrating botanical gardens, arboreta, and all public garden spaces. For you, this means FREE ADMISSION to the Asheville area's beautiful public garden displays: the NC Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, and Blue Ridge Community College's Garden. Celebrate public gardens, and share Mother's Day weekend in botanical splendor!

To market, to market in Asheville 2011

Spring is wonderful for so many reasons, one being the opening of all of our Farmer's Markets!! Each county houses their own, and Asheville has a good many in and of itself. Find local produce, baked goods, crafts, music, plants... all that we love in a tailgate market!

I've listed a few of the markets right around town, and here you can find all of the markets in our area.

Asheville City Market: in the heart of downtown Asheville, Saturdays

North Asheville Tailgate Market: on the UNCA campus, Saturdays

Greenlife Market: in the Greenlife/Whole Foods parking lot, Sundays

Co-op Market: next to the French Broad Food Co-op, Wednesdays

West Asheville Market: in West Asheville, Tuesdays

Weaverville, NC Art Safari May 7-8, 2011

In it's 10th year, the Weaverville Art Safari is a FREE event taking place May 7 & 8, 2011. The safari is a tour of artist studios in the Weaverville area, and this year is the biggest yet- there will be 46 artists available to share their work with the public throughout the weekend! Also, on Friday, May 6, there is a 10th anniversary preview party that is not to be missed! Enjoy the expedition!!

WNC Herb Festival April 29- May 1, 2011

This year marks the 22nd Annual Asheville Herb Festival, and there will be over 55 herb businesses available for you. If you are an amateur herbalist or you hold a wealth of knowledge yourself, the Herb Festival is a great place to join other herbalists for purchasing, sharing, and exploring. According to the website, "Western North Carolina is a southeastern mecca for high-quality, often organically grown herbs, vegetables, and other produce. Conservation easements help farmers preserve existing farms and establish new ones, and many farms are dedicated to organic agriculture practices such as producing heirloom vegetables and range-fed livestock. Among the area’s many growers of herbs and other traditional plants, the Asheville Herb Festival has become an annual opportunity for old and new friends to show off their latest plants and products and share their knowledge."

Junior League of Asheville Spring Market April 29-May 1, 2011

As they claim, the Asheville Spring Market is a showcase of all things spring! The Market takes place April 29-May 1, 2011- come down to the WNC Ag Center for the Marketplace, three days of shopping focused on our wonderful local vendors and crafters (see a list of vendors here). Other events include a BBQ, Beer & Bluegrass Bash, EveryBuggy Brunch with a focus on the kids, and a race day; check out the schedule of events. This is the third year that the Junior League of Asheville has held the event, and the proceeds benefit the Asheville community; come on out and help support our folks!

French Broad River Festival 4.29-5.1

Now in it's 14th year, the French Broad River Festival is a favorite of the area. Taking place in Hot Springs, NC the weekend of April 29-May 1, 2011. Boasting such wonderful activities such a a river clean-up, a kid's village, a bike race and a raft race, there is more to this festival than just music. The music line-up is great also, so it's a win-win situation!! And if you aren't much of a camper, no worries- Carolina Mornings has many a cozy home rental in the area! Check out our site or give us a call: 877.770.9055.

Asheville Earth Day Festival April 16, 2011

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!

In Asheville, every day is Earth Day, but we celebrate with the rest of America officially in April (April 22 is the "official" date). Asheville offers a FREE Earth Day Festival every year, complete with awesome music, food, and great local brews. The event takes place on April 16, 2011, and the line-up this year features some great acts: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (fun for the whole family); Toubab Krewe (a well-known favorite, local to Asheville); the Lee Boys (well known sacred steel ensemble), and more! This year marks the first year that the Earth Day festival will partner with The YMCA's Healthy Kid's Day, a day focused on improving the health of children throughout our nation. This makes yet another reason to load up the wagon, bring the family and boogie on down to Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville. See you there!

Family Spotlight: Runaway Circus & the Loose Caboose April 8-10, 2011

People circus' are my favorite, and a local, Asheville people circus tops the list! Runaway Circus & the Loose Caboose puts on a great show, and your family can experience it this weekend at Odyssey School. On April 8 & 9 check out the evening shows at 7pm; April 10 has an afternoon show at 2pm. Be wowed by fantastic feats of human strength and silliness!

Appalachian Trail Founder's Bridge Festival April 8-10, 2011

If you are in the area this weekend, come and celebrate the Appalachian Trail at the Founder's Bridge Festival, held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center just west of Asheville, NC. The festival celebrates the 2,179 mile trail that runs from Maine to Georgia, a large stretch running through North Carolina near Asheville. Celebrate with like-minded lovers of wilderness, hear presentations and live music, partake in the great sales they are offering at the center, even put your love for the AT to work by helping with trail maintenance Saturday morning! The AT is a beloved part of America's past, present and future, and here is a gathering in which to support the caretaking of it.

Why not make this the trip to Asheville you have been thinking of, and stay a bit longer after the celebrations?? Carolina Mornings offers many a vacation rental that are available for less than a week's stay- most only have a two night minimum! Check it out, and enjoy the path that leads you here.

April showers bring May flowers! What to do in Asheville, NC in springtime rain

Last week, it rained here every day. Every. single. day. It spurred me to review, and share, some things to do with the family while it is raining and raining.

-First off, if you are blessed with a warm spring rain, take your kids and get outside! Playing outside in the rain with (or without) your babes can be fun, invigorating and a great way to score some "my parents are cool" points. Go for a hike (keep it safe, of course), play outdoors at your vacation rental from Carolina Mornings, enjoy sightseeing when everyone else is indoors.

-Check out the Colburn Earth Science Museum in Pack Place downtown, or The Health Adventure also located there.

-Check out indoor rock climbing at Climb Max Climbing in downtown Asheville.

-Movies are always the answer in the rain. Maybe try one of our local theatres: the Fine Arts Theatre, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company, or The Carolina Cinema.

-We have so many art galleries throughout the area I can't list them all; do a search and check them out on a rainy day!!

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Festival of Flowers at Biltmore Estate April 2- May 15, 2011

It's that time of year again, when the month of April brings the Biltmore Estate's Festival of Flowers. Beginning April 2 and continuing until May 15, 2011, you will first be awed by thousands of tulips, which lead into a display in May of irises, azaleas and peonies. The festival of Flowers at Biltmore is a beautiful display of American landscape design and is only one of the many beautiful things that the 8000 acre estate has to offer. If you have never been to Biltmore Estate, this is a wonderful time to visit!

And, when you make your reservation for an Asheville getaway with Carolina Mornings, take advantage of our discounted Biltmore tickets- $54 each, valid for 2 consecutive days! See the Biltmore House one of the days, and come back the next to peruse the gardens and grounds. 8000 acres is huuuuuge!!!!

Carolina Chocolate Drops in Brevard, NC

One of my top three bands from the state are the Carolina Chocolate Drops and they are playing April 14, 2011 at the Porter Center in Brevard, NC (about 30 minutes from Asheville). They offer real Appalachian Old Time music with comfort and style, foot-tapping goodness that gives a glimpse of the Smokies from the old days. The Porter Center is the performing arts department of Brevard College, and the quaint, small town atmosphere is a perfect place to have a Carolina Chocolate Drops experience!

Asheville Home & Garden Expo April 16-17, 2011

Spring is the time to begin the projects you have been planning all winter, and there are plenty of great classes, shows and expos to help turn your idea into reality. Whether it be a renovation or addition to an existing home, a landscaping or gardening project, or an entire homebuilding project, you can find help and ideas in a plethora of places. One such event is the Asheville Home Builder's Home & Garden Expo taking place April 16 & 17, 2011 at the WNC Agricultural Center. Offering information from many businesses that are local, such as Build It Naturally, a wonderful store offering anything "home" in a healthy way, and businesses that are national as well, such as 84 Lumber, the Home & Garden Expo should have answers to any question you could ask. Besides the exhibitors, there are also demonstrations offered, including from Jason Cameron, the host of 2 television shows on the DIY Network.

So, if you have a project, or are just a lover of projects and collection ideas, it seems a trip to the Asheville area is in store for you!!

HATCH Asheville April 14-17, 2011

It is time again for HATCH Asheville, the four day event that inspires creativity in everyone! HATCH is a biannual event that takes place is Bozeman, MT once a year and Asheville, NC once a year. The event covers a range of topics, from fashion to architecture to photography, hosted by local businesses around town that cater to the topic at hand. Mentors, or those that are successful in each field of interest, share ideas and processes in which you would hatch your idea eggs.

As stated on the site:

"HATCH is unique because attendees and sponsors are part of the creative process. Everyone has intimate access to influential industry professionals across a range of creative disciplines."

This is a great time to energize, put some serious thought into the exciting ideas within you, and take a trip to Asheville, NC!!

Asheville Pet Expo April 2 & 3, 2011

When you wander the streets of Asheville, NC, one thing you notice is that we are a town of pet lovers! There are water bowls greeting you in many store fronts, many eateries that allow pets on the outdoor seating area, and many a mountain trail to run with Fido. It is not surprising that we have a weekend dedicated to our furry friends and all that goes alongwith sharing our lives with them! The Asheville Pet Expo takes place April 2 & 3,2011, and encompasses any and all things pet: pet products, clothing, veterinarians,rescue groups, fencing, groomers, food... just to name a few! The Expo takes place at the WNC Agriculture Center and welcomes well-behaved, leashed animals (as well as their owners). To top it off, Carolina Mornings offers awesome pet friendly vacation rentals, so a getaway to the mountains and this pet friendly town is well within reach!

Look At Me Asheville!

On Saturday, March 26, 2011 get your dancing shoes on and make your way to The Grey Eagle. There you will find an eclectic mix of some great Asheville musicians at The LAMA Festival (Look At Me Asheville)! Beginning at 5pm and grooving through the night until 1am, this mix of musicians will take turns helping you get your groove on! This is a wonderful way to enjoy some of Asheville's music scene all in one place, so take advantage while you can. Performers include Jim Avett (the father of the infamous Avett Brothers), Underhill Rose, Modo, Lindsay Wojcik and more.