After our cold winter and late spring, we are ready for summer! Grilling, family-friendly events, outdoor adventures—we want it all! And Memorial Day is the kickoff.
To celebrate the season, communities across Western North Carolina are holding art tours, beer festivals, concerts, and citywide celebrations. Whatever your interests, there is an event for you. Stay close to home or venture further afield to enjoy at least one of these 2018 Memorial Day events across WNC.
Asheville Beer Week
WHEN: Friday, May 25–Saturday, June 2, different events each day
Asheville’s annual celebration of craft beer officially kicks off with a Thirsty Thursday baseball game at McCormick Field on Thursday, May 24 from 5:30–10:30pm. Events continue through the following week at bars and breweries across the city, including Highland Brewing Company, Post 70, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Sovereign Remedies, Thirsty Monk, and many more. Join fellow beer lovers Saturday, June 2 from 12:00–5:00pm on Roger McGuire Green on Pack Square for the 9th annual Beer City Festival, presented by GSCBA and the Asheville Brewers Alliance.
Learn more: avlbeerweek.com
Mountain Sports Festival, Carrier Park, Asheville
WHEN: Friday, May 25–Sunday, May 27
Now in its 18th year, the annual Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend of music and sports that celebrates community, athletics, and local business. The free festival showcases Asheville’s unique terrain, environment, and culture. This year’s event includes an array of musical talent, including event headliners Josh Phillips & A Big Band, Euforquestra, and Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats. Local beer and food vendors will be on hand to make this an all-weekend event.
Learn more: mountainsportsfestival.com
White Squirrel Festival, Brevard
WHEN: Friday, May 25–Sunday, May 27
Brevard loves its white squirrel population! The annual White Squirrel Festival includes lots of live music, featuring Devon Gilfillian, Fireside Collective, and Jeff Sipe and the Page Brothers; a street festival with kids activities, arts and crafts booths, and great food; the Squirrel Box Derby; the White Squirrel 5K, 10K, and Fun Run; a Veteran’s Memorial parade and wreath presentation; and special events and sales in many of the town’s downtown shops. If that’s not enough for you, festival goers can learn more about the town’s white squirrel population and participate in the White Squirrel Photo Contest.
Learn more: whitesquirrelfestival.com
ABSFest, Asheville
WHEN: Friday, May 25–Sunday, May 27
The 12th annual Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival (ABSFest) celebrates the vaudeville revival through workshops and events in Asheville. Nominated for Best Show in the Mountain Xpress Readers Choice Awards, ABSFest has attracted renowned circus and burlesque artists from across the USA, as well as Scotland, Germany, and Japan. The festival offers fashion, contortion, trapeze, and tease in the true spirit of Vaudeville and an environment that nurtures creativity and empowerment.
Learn more: absfest.com
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration, Burnsville
WHEN: Friday, May 25, 10:00am–Sunday, May 27, 11:30am
The Burnsville Memorial Day Weekend Celebration is filled with family-friendly activities, music, arts and crafts, a motorcycle ride, and other events honoring those who have served and are serving our country in the military. Activities will conclude with the memorial ceremony on the courthouse lawn at 11:00am on Monday.
Learn more: yanceychamber.com
Concerts on the Creek, Sylva
WHEN: Friday, May 25, 7:00–9:00pm
Bring a picnic blanket and chair to enjoy Concerts on the Creek at Sylva’s Bridge Park gazebo! The Concerts on the Creek series runs every Friday night from Memorial Day–Labor Day. The 2018 season kicks off on May 25 with Ian Ridenhour (alternative rock/pop). Occasionally, these events feature food trucks and craft beer vendors.
Learn more: discoverjacksonnc.com
Garden Jubilee, Main Street, Hendersonville
WHEN: Saturday, May 26–Sunday, May 27, 9:00am–5:00pm each day
For 25 years, the annual Garden Jubilee Festival has been one of the largest gardening shows in the Western North Carolina. The two-day, family-friendly festival features more than 260 vendors along Main Street, selling thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and hard-to-find plants. Learn tips and tricks, and shop for locally crafted garden art, wind chimes, lawn furniture, garden tools, birdhouses, soaps, pottery, and more.
Learn more: visithendersonvillenc.com/garden-jubilee
Memorial Day Honorarium at Wheels Through Time Museum, Maggie Valley
WHEN: Saturday, May 27–Monday, May 29, 9:00am–5:00pm
In 2017, the Wheels Through Time Museum expanded their Military Might Exhibit and are eager to share it with visitors, especially the veterans it honors. A flag ceremony will be led by Dana McConnell before 1:00pm. Military motorcycles and machines will be featured and displayed around the Wheels Through Time property. All active military and veterans will receive free admission!
Learn more: facebook.com/events
Mermaids and Pirates Costume Workshop, Marshall
WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 10:00am–4:00pm
It’s that time again! The 11th annual Mermaid Parade and Festival takes place in downtown Marshall on June 2. Prep your costume with the aid of the pros, and make sure it’s ready to be worn with your swimsuit. The festival includes Splash Island with an 18-foot water slide for kids and kids at heart. The event also includes a bounce house and inflated slip and slide, food fundraisers, arts and crafts vendors, a seafood competition cook off, and—of course!—the Mermaid Parade.
Learn more: facebook.com/events
Champion Credit Union Aquatics Center Grand Opening, Canton
WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 10:00am–5:00pm
The Town of Canton invites everyone to come to the grand opening of the new swimming pool! The opening ceremony will start at 10:00am and the pool will open from 11:00am–5:00pm for free swimming all day. Enjoy food trucks, music, and swimming pool fun with the whole family!
Learn more: cantonnc.com | facebook.com/events
Kenilworth Art Studio Tour, Asheville
WHEN: Saturday, May 26–Sunday, May 27, 10:00am–5:00pm
Did you know that the five-square-mile historic Kenilworth neighborhood, just south of downtown Asheville, is home to more than 40 aspiring and professional artists? Each year on Memorial Day weekend, some of these artists open their home studios to art lovers and shoppers alike. This year, the self-guided tour features 17 artists in 10 locations across the neighborhood.
Learn more: kenilworthartists.org
Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival
WHEN: Saturday, May 26–Sunday, May 27, 10:00am–6:00pm / Monday, May 29, 10:00am–4:00pm
The 2018 Lake Lure Spring Arts & Crafts Festival features continuous entertainment in the gorgeous mountain setting of Lake Lure, NC. Enjoy shopping for wonderful art and handmade crafts from the festival’s 90+ artisan vendors, as well as great music, dancing, and treats from 10 food and refreshment vendors. Held twice annually, the festival has been a Lake Lure tradition since the 1980s.
Learn more: lakelureartsandcraftsfestivals.com
Family Fun at Chimney Rock
WHEN: Saturday, May 27–Monday, May 29, 11:00am–4:00pm
Chimney Rock is the perfect place for you and your family to connect with nature this Memorial Day. Meet some of Chimney Rock’s residents at the Family Animal Encounters, 2:00pm each day. Then, take a hike along the park’s Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 interactive education stations. Round out your day of family fun by testing your skills on the 32-foot Climbing Tower, open 11:00am–4:00pm.
Learn more: chimneyrockpark.com
Saturday Night Lights at TIEC in Tryon
WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 5:00–10:00pm
Don’t miss the best night of the week at Tryon International Equestrian Center! This popular event showcases the largest equestrian show jumping competition of the week, taking place under the lights in the George H. Morris Arena. Families can also enjoy unlimited free rides on the Venetian carousel, face-painting, kids activities, and more before the show begins! The $70,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* starts at 8:00pm. Free parking and admission.
Learn more: tryon.coth.com
Spring Rockin’ Block Party + Kids on Main, Waynesville
WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 6:00–10:00pm
Who can say no to live music and dancing on Main Street? Waynesville’s annual Spring Block Party features the 96.5 House Band, the Blue Ridge Big Band, and more. Block Party is prefaced by the “Kids on Main” activity hour from 6:00–7:00pm. So, stay tuned to Facebook for more details and get your lawn chairs and dancing shoes ready!
Learn more: facebook.com/events
Asheville Community Band Concert, Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Parkway
WHEN: Sunday, May 27, 3:30–5:00pm
This fun-filled, family friendly, all-American free concert features military music, marches, and wind band favorites. Seating is available inside the Folk Art Center auditorium. Guests are also welcome to bring lawn chairs and picnic outside on the lawn.
Learn more: facebook.com/AshevilleCommunityBand
Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival, Flat Rock
WHEN: Monday, May 28, 11:00am–4:30pm
Join musicians from around the region for the 32nd annual Folk Music Festival as they perform songs inspired by Carl Sandburg’s collection, The American Songbag. The festival’s performers each skillfully demonstrate the tradition of performing live music to tell stories while capturing the heritage of America through song. Performers include David Holt, Steve Smith, Josh Goforth, and more.
Learn more: nps.gov/carl
Photo from White Squirrel Festival
