Happy Wednesday, Buncombe County!

💡 Buncombe Fact: Asheville earned the nickname "Paris of the South" due to its unique culture, architecture, and, at one point, its reputation as a sophisticated, artistic mountain refuge.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Sean Kolina

Downtown After 5 is back, bringing live music, food vendors, and a lively crowd right into the heart of Asheville. It’s the perfect event where you can show up without much of a plan and let the night build itself!

Expect a mix of local and regional bands, plenty of space to wander, and that familiar energy that comes from a packed downtown on a warm evening. Whether you stay for a set or linger a little longer, it’s a good reminder of how fun a night out can be, especially when everything is happening in one place.

📍 Where: Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville
📅 When: Friday, April 17th | 5pm - 9pm
💲 Price: Free

Event Info

A beautiful, sunny weekend built around nature, texture, and thoughtful detail. In My Nature showcases the work of artist Stefan Horik, featuring pieces inspired by organic forms and the landscapes that shape them. The event offers a chance to view the collection, meet the artist, and experience the work in a personal setting. It’s a nice fit if you’re looking for something quieter and more reflective than a typical gallery stop.

📍 Where: Grand Bohemian Gallery , 11 Boston Way, Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, April 18th | 5pm
💲 Price: Free to attend

Event Details

If you’ve got kids, or just appreciate really BIG trucks, this one’s worth a stop. Truck City AVL brings together a wide range of service and utility vehicles for a hands-on, up-close experience. Think fire trucks, construction vehicles, and the people who operate them, all in one place. It’s part educational, part “this is really cool!”

📍 Where: Tanger Outlets, 800 Brevard Road
📅 When: Saturday, April 18th | 1pm - 4pm
💲 Price: Free

Learn More

A fun night out with a purpose behind it. Bowl For Kids’ Sake brings teams together for a casual bowling event supporting youth mentorship programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters. The “Boots & Bowling” theme adds a playful twist, with costumes encouraged and prizes for creativity. Teams of 4–5 raise funds ahead of time, then show up for two games of bowling, food, and a community-focused event that feels more like a celebration than a fundraiser.

📍 Where: Sky Lanes 1477 Patton Ave, Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, April 18th | 9am - 5pm
💲 Price: Registration / fundraising event

Event Details

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A simple, easygoing way to spend an evening outdoors. Movies on the Lawn returns at New Belgium Brewing with a showing of The Lorax, bringing a relaxed, family-friendly vibe to the park. Expect blankets, snacks, and a crowd that’s just there to enjoy a movie under the open sky.

📍 Where: New Belgium Brewing
📅 When: Thursday, April 16th | 7:15pm - 8:45pm
💲 Price: Free

Learn More

Step into the Shire for a weekend that feels straight out of a storybook. The Hobbit Affairs is a Hobbit-inspired mini renaissance fair featuring live music, local craft vendors, blacksmithing, tarot readings, and plenty of themed fun. Costumes are encouraged, and the whole event leans into that playful, immersive energy Asheville does so well. It’s equal parts market, festival, and escape from reality, with good food and drinks along the way!

📍 Where: Sweeten Creek Brewing, Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, April 18th | 12pm – 8pm
💲 Price: Free

Event Details

If you’re looking to slow things down after a fun weekend, this one leans fully into it. This guided sound meditation uses Himalayan singing bowls to create a calming, immersive experience designed to help you relax and reset. It’s a quiet, restorative way to close out the weekend.

📍 Where: Somatic Sounds, 157 S Lexington Ave Suite B1
📅 When: Sunday, April 19th | 11am
💲 Price: $26

Book Now

Baseball season is officially back. The Asheville Tourists kick off their season on Tuesday, bringing that familiar mix of ballpark snacks, warm evenings, and another reason to head downtown. It also marks the new era of HomeTrust Park, the team’s rebranded stadium name that locals are settling into. Whether you’re there for the game or just the atmosphere, opening day always has a fun feel.

📍 Where: HomeTrust Park, Asheville
📅 When: Tuesday, April 21st | 6:35pm
💲 Price: Ticketed

Event Details

😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Southern Smothered Pork Chops - pure comfort food at its finest. Pan-fried, super flavorful pork chops covered beautifully in rich onion gravy!

🎵 Who we are listening to: Jungle - Tash Sultana. “I cant imagine the feeling walking down the stairs and hear something this beautiful be played in your house, your livingroom by your own daughter.”

💛 Local Nonprofits. Mountain Bizworks - They are building a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial community in Western North Carolina.

🙏 Positive News Around the World: 12-yo Girl Named a Hero for Running into Burning Home to Save Brothers Read Article

✨ You don’t need to rush through life to prove you’re moving forward.

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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