Happy Thursday, Buncombe County!
💡 Buncombe Fact: Construction on "America's Favorite Drive" started in 1935, and some of its most scenic overlooks are just minutes from downtown.
In today’s edition:
Celebrating Appalachian traditions for 99 years
Six nights packed with unforgettable laughs
Meet a local poet over coffee
Celebrate the outdoors with your community
Bluegrass, folk, and family-friendly fun
Discover astrology beyond your birth chart
Let’s get to it.
— Sean Kolina
🪕 99th Mountain Dance & Folk Festivaleville
For nearly a century, the Mountain Dance & Folk Festival has celebrated the music, dance, and storytelling traditions that define Southern Appalachia. Now in its 99th year, the nation's longest-running folk festival returns to Asheville for three evenings featuring bluegrass musicians, old-time string bands, cloggers, ballad singers, storytellers, and tradition bearers from across the region. Each night's lineup is different, giving attendees a chance to experience the incredible diversity and living heritage of Appalachian culture.
Founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford in 1928, the festival continues to honor generations of artists who have preserved these traditions while introducing new audiences to the sounds and stories of the mountains. Whether you've attended for years or are experiencing it for the first time, it's one of Asheville's signature summer events.
📍 Where: Asheville High School Auditorium, 419 McDowell St., Asheville
📅 When: Thursday, July 30th – Saturday, August 1st | 7pm – 9pm
💲 Price: Adults $20 | Students & Children (6–12) $5 | Three-night pass $55
😂 17th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival
Get ready for two weekends of laughs as the 17th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival returns with six nights of stand-up featuring nationally recognized headliners and more than 30 rising comedians from across the country. Opening weekend welcomes Ben Bailey, Jessica Michelle Singleton, and Eleanore Kerrigan, while the second weekend showcases a rotating lineup of fresh comedic talent, meaning no two shows are the same. If you're looking for a fun night out downtown, this festival has become one of Asheville's favorite summer traditions.
📍 Where: Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville
📅 When: Friday, July 31st – Sunday, August 2nd | 7:30pm each evening
💲 Price: $23.50–$28.50 (plus fees) | Festival passes available
📚 Meet the Poet: David Gate
Spend a relaxed Friday afternoon with Asheville poet David Gate during this casual meet-and-greet at Summit Coffee. Browse his collection of books, have copies signed, and explore his distinctive hand-typed prints created on a vintage typewriter while enjoying a cup of coffee.
📍 Where: Summit Coffee, 37 Paynes Way #9, Asheville
📅 When: Friday, July 31st | 1pm - 3pm
💲 Price: Free
🌲 Outdoor Fair in the Park
Celebrate the outdoors during this free community event hosted by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Trust for Public Land. Enjoy live music from Natti Love Joys, local nonprofits, food and drinks, and a featured panel discussing the importance of protecting public lands and expanding outdoor access.
📍 Where: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River
📅 When: Saturday, August 1st | 12pm – 4pm
💲 Price: Free
🎻 Kingfisher Folk Fest
Spend the day enjoying live folk and bluegrass music, dancing, jam sessions, local crafts, family activities, and great food at the third annual Kingfisher Folk Fest. This year's lineup includes The Hillbilly Thomists, Colin Cutler and the Hot Pepper Jam, Hightop Mountain Harmony, and more, all set against the scenic backdrop of The Oaks at Daniel Ridge.
📍 Where: The Oaks at Daniel Ridge, 818 Monte Vista Rd., Candler
📅 When: Saturday, August 1st | 12pm – 8pm
💲 Price: Advance tickets start at $25
The Cookware Behind 100+ Michelin-Starred Kitchens, Now in Brushed Copper
You've probably seen Made In Cookware® by now. They're the cookware brand used in 4,000+ professional kitchens and adopted by millions of home cooks.
Their 5-ply Stainless Clad line is what put them on the map, and now it comes in a limited-run Brushed Copper finish.
✨ Exploring Asteroids in Astrology
Discover how asteroids add another layer of meaning to your birth chart during this welcoming workshop at Plant Bar West Asheville. Whether you're brand new to astrology or already familiar with natal charts, you'll explore the mythology and symbolism behind key asteroids while enjoying Plant Bar's cozy café atmosphere.
📍 Where: Plant Bar, West Asheville
📅 When: Sunday, August 2nd | 12pm – 3pm
💲 Price: Registration required
Other fun notes…
😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Appalachian Beans and Greens - these Southern beans and greens make a simple, flavorful, and affordable meal in about 30 minutes.
🎵 Who we are listening to: Put Your Records On - CYRIL - “Woke up to this jam. It’s going to be a great day!”
💛 Local Nonprofits. The Bair Foundation Child & Family Ministries - For more than 50 years, they have remained steadfast and responsive in its work to bring about meaningful change in the lives of America’s most vulnerable.
🙏 Positive News Around the Globe: Vanished Hornbill Species is Breeding Again Among the Old Trees After 60 Years. Read Article
✨ Growth often happens quietly, without any clear moment of arrival.
As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.
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