AdventHealth, in collaboration with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, will host a free community event in downtown Hendersonville ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 featuring NASCAR driver Erik Jones, pit crew members, and the No. 43 show car. Attendees can meet the team, take photos, and enjoy a presentation supporting literacy initiatives. Learn more.
The Asheville Downtown Improvement District will host the second Downtown Public Safety Series on Friday, May 29, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. at Fitz & The Wolf. The session will focus on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, featuring updates from Asheville Police and planning experts on safety improvements. Learn more and sign up here.
Bear Shadow Music Festival returns for its fifth year as a three-day event in Highlands, North Carolina, beginning Friday, May 29. The festival includes live music, daytime activities and immersive experiences celebrating community, wellness, and nature at Base Camp near downtown Highlands. Learn more and register here.
Chai Pani chef and co-owner Meherwan Irani is hosting a sweepstakes from May 8 to June 8, 2026. Participants who preorder his cookbook can enter to win a culinary trip to Mumbai — and he will act as your food tour guide. A winner will be selected around June 30 and will be notified directly. Learn more and enter the sweepstakes here.
Chrysler 300 Club International will host a community car show on Saturday, May 30, on Coxe Avenue in Asheville’s historic Motor Mile district. Open to all classic cars, the free event offers attendees an opportunity to explore vintage vehicles and local history. Learn more.
Hemingway’s Cuba will host its 3rd Annual Welcome to Summer Party on Monday, May 25, starting at 4:30 p.m. The event features tapas tasting, a beginner bachata lesson at 5:30 p.m. and dancing from 6:30–9:30 p.m. with DJ MTN Vibez. Learn more.
The Historic Resources Commission, with the City of Asheville, will host a lunch-and-learn on June 12, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center. The lunch will feature Donovan D. Rypkema, a principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development-consulting firm. Registration is required by June 5, and seating is limited to 75 attendees. Learn more and register here.
Kudzu Brands is hosting a Summer Camp brand giveaway awarding one WNC minority-owned business or nonprofit a three-month, hands-on collaborative brand-building experience valued at $10,000 (not a cash grant). The selected organization will join live workshops to clarify messaging and develop a brand story, custom logo, print / digital collateral and a tailored marketing plan. Learn more and register here.
The National Small Business Matchmaking Series will host a North Carolina event in Raleigh on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the NC State University McKimmon Conference and Training Center. The initiative aims to connect local small businesses with the federal marketplace by providing tools, access, and relationships to compete for federal contracting. Learn more and register here.
Pisgah Legal Services will host Jazz for Justice on Thursday, May 28, at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, starting at 5:30 p.m. The ticketed fundraiser will feature live music by The Brian Felix Organ Trio, gourmet bites, and drinks while highlighting the organization’s past year of providing free legal assistance in Western North Carolina. Learn more and buy tickets here.
The University of North Carolina Asheville will host its first AI Summit June 4–5, 2026, featuring sessions on practical applications of artificial intelligence. Students have until May 31 to submit projects addressing community challenges, with selected participants presenting at the event. Learn more and register here.
The WNC Whiskey Festival will debut Saturday, May 30, at the A-B Tech Conference Center. The event will celebrate whiskey varieties and highlight North Carolina distilleries while raising funds for the WNC Harvest & Heritage Foundation. Learn more and buy tickets here.
New & Noteworthy
AdventHealth Polk has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as an Age-Friendly Health System Participant. The recognition underscores the hospital’s commitment to older adults during their hospital stay. AdventHealth Polk has incorporated the 4Ms framework — What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility — an evidence-based approach that makes sure care is aligned with each patient’s goals and supports their entire well-being.
Asheville Regional Airport opened a new rental car facility on May 20, 2026, as part of its AVL Forward modernization project. Passengers arriving will follow designated pathways to updated counters near baggage claim, improving the travel experience. The full expansion is expected to be completed between late 2027 and early 2028. Learn more.
Asheville Rides Transit (ART) has launched a new website offering real-time route tracking, departure times, and service alerts. Designed for mobile and desktop users, the platform allows riders to save favorite stops and track buses live, improving convenience for Asheville’s public transit users. Check it out here.
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue has purchased a new Tunnel Road property for its future Adoption Center after losing its campus to flooding. The organization continues operating through foster-based programs while planning a permanent space to expand lifesaving work and community services. Learn more.
Buncombe County Government has appointed Josh Hallingse as Intergovernmental Affairs Director, beginning June 15, 2026. He brings extensive experience in regional economic development and previously served with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, returning to Western North Carolina for the role.
Carolina Village received the 2026 LeadingAge North Carolina Excellence in Innovation Award for its “Voices & Visions” program developed with A-B Tech. The initiative connected residents with students to create multimedia storytelling projects, fostering intergenerational engagement and education. Learn more.
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County public pools open May 23 for the summer season, offering affordable recreation. The Splasheville splash pad is already open, and all other facilities will be open for Memorial Day. A reminder that facilities may close throughout the season during severe weather. Swim lessons and private bookings are available online. Learn more.
Community Foundation of Henderson County has named Shelby Milachouski-Kustak as its new Office Manager. A UNC Asheville graduate with experience at UC Davis, she has returned to North Carolina and looks forward to supporting local philanthropy. Learn more.
Corner Kitchen was recently honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration North Carolina District Office. They received the 2026 Phoenix Award for Disaster Recovery, recognizing the restaurant’s resilience and rebuilding efforts after significant the destruction brought on by Tropical Storm Helene. Learn more.
Discover Hometown reported 38% year-over-year sales growth and expanded distribution with a return to South Asheville in 2025. The publication continues connecting businesses and residents through targeted mailings across multiple Western North Carolina communities.
Haywood Community College received a $25,000 Duke Energy grant to expand outreach for its electrical and trades programs. The funding will support marketing strategies and workforce development, helping prepare students with hands-on training and updated equipment. Learn more.
Mountain Credit Union has promoted Suzie Shook to CEO following Amy Woody’s retirement. Shook brings more than 30 years of experience with the organization and has led key initiatives in operations, compliance and strategic development.
The University of North Carolina Asheville has been selected to join a national cohort of more than 35 colleges and universities participating in Advancing Student Success: Strategic Prioritization for Student Success, an initiative led by the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education. UNC Asheville is the only institution in the UNC System to be selected for this work. They will receive customized reports, facilitated sensemaking sessions a strategic prioritization plan, and an implementation roadmap aligned with the Gardner Institute’s Six Transformation Principles.
Community Input
NCDOT launched a new Facebook channel providing updates on the I-26 Connector project, which began construction in April. The $1.8 billion project is expected to take at least five years, with completion targeted for late 2031. The community is encouraged to follow along and engage with NCDOT throughout the project. Follow the page here.