Happy Wednesday, Buncombe County!

💡 Buncombe Fact: Outside of Miami, Asheville has the highest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the Southeast.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Sean Kolina

Still looking for a Mother’s Day gift that is thoughtful and unique? The Steeped Letter Co. delivers a beautifully written travel-inspired letter paired with premium tea each month, turning the mailbox into something worth checking again. Each delivery is designed as a small ritual: brew a cup, read the story, and take a quiet moment in a new destination you may never have heard of. It’s personal, elegant, and keeps arriving long after flowers are gone. A lovely gift for moms who appreciate meaningful experiences over more stuff. Use our special code BCD20 for 20% off.

Downtown Asheville is about to turn into one big stage. Asheville BuskerFest brings musicians, magicians, acrobats, jugglers, and street performers together for a weekend celebration of spontaneous talent and creative energy. This inaugural festival spreads across Pack Square, Pritchard Park, and the River Arts District, giving you plenty of chances to wander into something unexpected.

What makes it fun is the unpredictability. One minute you’re grabbing coffee, the next you’re watching a fire juggler or a brass band that somehow formed out of nowhere. It’s free, family-friendly, and exactly the kind of event Asheville wears well.

Bring a few dollars to tip performers, take your time, and let curiosity guide the route.

📍 Where: Downtown Asheville + River Arts District
📅 When: Saturday, May 2nd, 10am - 8pm | Sunday, May 3rd, 10am - 6pm
💲 Price: Free to attend

Event Details

One of Asheville’s favorite traditions is back. Montford Park Players returns with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, bringing live theater, familiar characters, and open-air charm to spring evenings. Bring a chair, bring a blanket, and let nostalgia handle the rest.

📍 Where: Hazel Robinson Amphitheater, 92 Gay St, Asheville
📅 When: May 1st - May 3rd | 7:30 PM
💲 Price: Free / donations encouraged

More Info

Downtown’s food hall lineup keeps getting better. Dooogh Smoothie Shop & Pita’ria opens at S&W Market this spring, bringing smoothies, pita wraps, and fresh grab-and-go options to the mix. A welcome addition for lunch breaks, quick stops, or anyone trying to eat like an adult.

📍 Where: S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave, Asheville
📅 When: Opening Soon
💲 Price: Menu pricing

Learn More

Part retreat, part gathering, part nervous system reset. Prana Mela blends yoga classes, live music, meditation, and wellness experiences over three days. If your calendar needs balance, this may be it.

📍 Where: AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd, Asheville
📅 When: May 1st – May 3rd | Daily sessions begin Friday
💲 Price: Ticketed passes vary

Learn More

A laid-back Sunday with a little rhythm to it. Sunday Socials at Haiku brings live music from Anne Coombs & Company into a casual, welcoming setting where you can settle in, grab a drink, and ease into the afternoon. It’s designed as a recurring “First Sunday” series, making it an easy one to keep on your radar all summer long.

📍 Where: Haiku AVL, 26 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville
📅 When: Sunday, May 3rd | Doors at 1pm (music around 2:30 PM)
💲 Price: $10

Event Details

About 45 minutes north of Asheville, Hot Springs is hosting a weekend festival and community gathering. Town & Trail Fest celebrates the Appalachian Trail, the outdoors, and the people who call this mountain town home.

The event includes live music, local vendors, storytelling, and classic small-town touches like a duck race and community dance. With the Appalachian Trail running right through town, it’s a fitting backdrop for a weekend built around connection and exploration. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and a great excuse to say hi to our Buncombe neighbors for the day and experience something a little different.

📍 Where: Downtown Hot Springs, NC
📅 When: Friday, May 1st | Saturday, May 2nd
💲 Price: Free

Event Details

😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Pork Shoulder Inasal - For Silver Iocovozzi, chef of Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina, this pork Inasal is the perfect example of Appalachian cooking, which, they say, is all about “making what you can from the bounty of the land and the pantry, applying ideas new and old, to create something nourishing.”

🎵 Who we are listening to: Fade Out Lines - The Avener. “I was outside a bar in Lithuania when I first heard this song. The sun was shining, me and my friend were drinking a beer, this song came on and I had this crystal clear moment of everything just being absolutely amazing. Funny how a song sticks to a memory like that.”

💛 Local Nonprofits. Asheville Writers in the Schools and Community - AWITSC equips often underserved and overlooked members of the community with artistic tools to express themselves.

🙏 Positive News Around the World: Grandmother Gets Help From Her Dog While Gardening: She Points and He Digs Read Article

✨ Peace often shows up when expectations ease.

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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