The Asheville Tourists are hosting a Harry Potter™ Night on July 29 for fans of every Hogwarts house. The themed event will invite attendees to enjoy a magical evening at the ballpark, whether they identify with Gryffindor™, Hufflepuff™, Ravenclaw™ or Slytherin™. Fans can also add a special House Cap during checkout while supplies last. Buy tickets here.
GRINDfest returns to Pack Square Park on June 13 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for a one-day celebration of Black entrepreneurship, culture, music and community. The event will bring together founders, creatives, families and local leaders for shopping, performances and networking. Attendees can support Black-owned brands and vendors, enjoy live entertainment throughout the day, and watch the GRIND Pitch Competition, where entrepreneurs present bold ideas before a live audience. Learn more.
Highland Brewing Company and the Center for Honeybee Research are hosting the 5th Annual Honey Festival on June 7 in Asheville. The family-friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, vendors, honey tastings and pollinator-themed fun, including a costume contest. Proceeds will support efforts to protect pollinators and the environment. Guests can sample and purchase local and international honey and honey-based products. Learn more.
The Historic Resources Commission, in partnership with the City of Asheville, invites the public to a lunch-and-learn with Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center. Rypkema will discuss the connection between historic preservation and affordable housing. Lunch is provided, seating is limited to 75 people, and pre-registration is required by Friday, June 5, to attend. Register here.
The Marquee is hosting The Swoon Marketplace Grand Opening on Thursday, June 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the River Arts District. The free community event will introduce Swoon Marketplace, a curated collection of clothing, accessories and wearable art. Guests can explore the new space, meet the creative team and enjoy cocktails, music, and surprises. A live fashion show is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. as part of the evening’s celebration. Learn more.
Montford Park Players will present “Othello” at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre from June 5 through June 27 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. The free production of Shakespeare’s tragedy is directed and adapted by Stephanie Hickling Beckman, who played the title role in the company’s 2017 staging. Organizers say the production will bring passion, jealousy, and deceit to the stage in one of the playwright’s most gripping works. Learn more.
MountainTrue is celebrating 10 years of BioBlitzing with an event near Gerton on June 13. Participants will join Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and expert naturalists to document plant and animal life on local preserves. Citizen scientists can learn about mushrooms, reptiles, amphibians, mosses, and more while exploring the landscape. Afterward, attendees can share findings over food and refreshments. Hike options range from easy to strenuous, children may attend with a guardian and carpooling is encouraged because parking is limited. Learn more.
Muddy Knees Design and Production will host Asheville Art in the Park in historic Pack Square on Saturdays between June 13-June 27, giving local artists a major platform to showcase and sell handcrafted work. Organizers say the market has generated well over $1 million in income for artists over the years and has become a beloved tradition for both residents and visitors. Now in its second decade, the event continues to connect professional artists with the community in the heart of downtown Asheville. Learn more.
Our Voice will host its 2nd annual Courage in Bloom on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Highland Brewing Company. The event will honor the organization’s community impact over the past 52 years, recognizing its work supporting survivors and strengthening community health and safety. Attendees will include community members, business leaders, elected officials and partners, including City Councilperson Maggie Ullman and Michael Horvath of Asheville Hotel Group. Learn more and sign up here.
Our Voice is also inviting community members to learn more about board service opportunities. Our Voice supports survivors and works to strengthen community health and safety, and board participation offers one way for supporters to contribute to that mission. Learn more and apply to serve on the board here.
YMCA of Western North Carolina has opened applications for its Campers in Leadership Training program for youth aged 12 to 15. The program combines outdoor experience, leadership development and hands-on learning as participants shadow counselors, lead activities and help design curriculum. Campers also attend weekly leadership trainings and set goals for the summer. Organizers note that registration must be completed before participants move into the interview process. Apply here.
New & Noteworthy
AdventHealth Hendersonville brought race-week excitement to Henderson County on Thursday, May 21, with Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR driver Erik Jones for a community event focused on literacy and partnership. During the event, AdventHealth presented the Henderson County Education Foundation with a $5,000 gift to support literacy programs across Henderson County Public Schools. Families and fans also got an opportunity to meet Jones, view the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE show car and connect with the Legacy Motor Club pit crew.
ArtsAVL has released the draft Asheville-Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework, a long-term plan designed to strengthen and better align support systems for arts and culture across Buncombe County and Western North Carolina. The framework was unveiled during ArtsAVL’s annual State of the Arts Brunch after nearly a year of research, interviews, focus groups, and planning. The project involved partners including Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, Explore Asheville, the Chamber, and Lord Cultural Resources. Learn more.
BorgWarner Inc. announced another expansion of its Henderson County operations, with plans to invest at least $100 million and create 378 new jobs. The project will help the company integrate operations and produce critical components to support future growth. New positions are expected to offer average annual wages above $67,047. A broad partnership of local and state economic development organizations, education institutions, and utilities is supporting the expansion, which strengthens BorgWarner’s longstanding presence in Western North Carolina. Learn more.
Buncombe County purchased the former JCPenney store at Asheville Mall on June 2 to create the county’s first standalone Emergency Operations Center. The site will support continuity of operations during emergencies and provide a centralized home for Emergency Services, training, preparedness, and disaster response planning. County officials are also considering it as a potential location for 911 communications and other uses. Design, engineering, retrofitting, and resiliency upgrades are planned before occupancy begins in 2028. Learn more.
Community Foundation of Henderson County has named Brandon Baird as its new president and CEO, effective June 8, 2026. A Hendersonville native, Baird brings nearly 15 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. The organization noted that his connection to the foundation began when he was a college scholarship recipient, making the appointment a meaningful return. Baird said he looks forward to building on the foundation’s legacy of service with staff, donors, board members, and community partners. Learn more.
GBX Group LLC has partnered with longtime Foundy Street leaders Chris Eller, Eddie Dewey, and Brent Starck on a phased effort to revitalize Foundy Street properties after Tropical Storm Helene. Under a new company, Foundy Street LLC, the partnership aims to create a unified strategy for restoring and strengthening the River Arts District as an arts-focused campus that supports Asheville’s creative economy. The effort centers on historic industrial buildings that played a key role in the district’s earlier revival.
Gemelli recently received the Griffin Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation from Preservation AVL for restoring its new home in Biltmore Village. The project team included Falcon Construction and owners Anthony and Jennie Cerrato. After opening in Westgate in 2022, Gemelli outgrew its original space and moved into a century-old building that had been heavily impacted after Helene. The restored restaurant preserves historic character while adding warm dining spaces, a new kitchen and an immersive chef’s table experience. Learn more.
House of Black Cat Magic Café has been nominated for USA TODAY’s 10Best Cat Cafes and is asking supporters to vote from May 25 through June 22. The Asheville business says the recognition could bring more visibility to both the café and its rescue partner, Binx’s Home for Black Cats. Community members who have enjoyed the cat lounge are encouraged to vote and help the café secure a spot in the final top 10 rankings. Vote for them here.
MANNA FoodBank will host its 2026 Pack to Give Back event on Thursday, June 4, bringing together 200 volunteers from 17 companies. During the annual corporate volunteer event, participants will pack 28,000 pounds of beans for neighbors facing food insecurity across Western North Carolina. Organizers say seven companies are joining for the first time this year, reflecting growing business support. The effort will help move food quickly through MANNA’s partner network across its 16-county service area and the Qualla Boundary.
Mars Hill University has promoted Donna Parsons to provost and vice president of academic affairs. Parsons previously served as associate provost for Adult and Graduate Studies and dean of professional studies and social sciences, and she has been a faculty member since 2014. She brings decades of college-level teaching experience and research on gender and organizations, along with a strong record of community engagement through leadership roles with churches, nonprofits, and schools in the region.
Partner Community Capital recently held its 14th Annual Western North Carolina Business Showcase across the Asheville region from May 13 to May 15. The multi-day event brought together entrepreneurs, lenders, community leaders, and economic development professionals to tour businesses and redevelopment projects supported by PCAP financing and technical assistance. Featured stops included Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Balsam Falls Brewing, Waynesville Soda Jerks, The Lazy Tiger Hostel and Wunderland Resort, highlighting how flexible financing supports growth across rural Western North Carolina. Learn more.
PIE.ZAA announced it is exploring franchise opportunities in other cities and is beginning conversations with potential partners. The Asheville pizzeria says it is looking for people who value culture as much as operations, want to be hands-on, and are committed to maintaining strong brand standards. While experience in food, hospitality or operations is a plus, the company says mindset matters most. PIE.ZAA emphasizes that it is taking a selective, deliberate approach rather than franchising quickly. Learn more.
Sugar and Snow Gelato has reopened 603 days after Hurricane Helene forced the shop to close. The business is now operating from a new location at 146 Robert’s Street, Suite 102, while continuing its focus on organic sugar, dairy from small North Carolina farms, and local Asheville collaborations. The company says it does not use pre-made gelato bases, factory-farmed milk, or additives, emphasizing carefully sourced ingredients and support for local farms and businesses. Learn more.
Top Chef recently visited Asheville for an episode celebrating the city’s food culture and community resilience after Hurricane Helene. Guided by local host and former contestant Ashleigh Shanti, the chefs explored Appalachian cuisine and learned about local relief efforts. For the Elimination Challenge, they hosted a one-night-only dinner for 200 community members. Chai Pani co-founder Meherwan Irani also highlighted how restaurants worked together with World Central Kitchen to provide free meals during the crisis. Learn more and watch the episode here.
The University of North Carolina Asheville has appointed Dr. Timothy Channell as the inaugural dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, effective July 1, 2026. An academic administrator, higher education consultant, and professor of music business, Channell will lead the newly structured college and help align its academic programs with the university’s future-focused liberal arts and sciences mission. His portfolio will include arts, humanities, social sciences, and key professional programs such as business and education. Learn more.
Community Input
The City of Asheville is seeking public input on a proposed future route network for Asheville Rides Transit (ART). Shaped by earlier public feedback and City Council direction, the draft aims to boost ridership by increasing service frequency, including 15-minute service on some routes. To make those improvements, some areas could lose service as resources are reallocated. The proposal is part of the ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis, launched in March 2025. Give your feedback here.