Explore Asheville and the Big South Conference have announced that Asheville’s historic McCormick Field will host the Big South Baseball Championship in 2026 and 2027. The six-team, double-elimination tournament will take place May 20–23, drawing hundreds of athletes, families, and fans and generating an estimated $750,000 in local spending. The event coincides with a $55.6 million renovation of the century-old ballpark, supported by the Buncombe County TDA, that will modernize the venue and expand community use. All games will be broadcast on ESPN platforms. Read more.
Asheville Media Group has revealed the winners of Best of Asheville 2025, following a record-breaking 200,000 votes across 247 categories. The community recognized 375 businesses, individuals, and organizations with Gold and Silver honors. This year’s edition highlighted the resilience and creativity of local businesses during a year of recovery. The full winners’ list is available at BestOfAVL.com.
In response to soaring food insecurity after Hurricane Helene, Bounty & Soul has launched the Feed It Forward WNC 45-day challenge leading up to the storm’s one-year anniversary. The campaign invites donations to provide families with fresh, nutritious food through Bounty & Soul’s free community markets, which have seen participation double since the disaster. Supporters can also join a virtual auction Sept. 17–27 featuring regional items and experiences. Donate or bid here.
Mars Hill University esports athlete Nicolas “Traix” Monaco has signed with the Miami Heretics of the Call of Duty League, becoming the first South American player in the league. Originally from Buenos Aires, Monaco joined Mars Hill’s team in early 2025 and quickly rose through the competitive ranks with strong finishes at national tournaments. His leadership and skill were praised by MHU esports director Jamie Nickell, who called him a role model for future players. Read more.
Collaboration:
Asheville craft producers Ginger’s Revenge and Chemist Spirits have teamed up to launch Herbal Revenge, a small-batch herbal liqueur distilled from rescued ginger beer spoiled during Hurricane Helene power outages. The collaboration transforms nearly 2,000 gallons of beer into a 105-proof Southeast Asian-inspired Alpine liqueur, highlighting ginger and spice for cocktails. The release reflects local resilience and creativity in the storm’s aftermath. A public release party will be held Sept. 25 at Ginger’s Revenge, with VIP tours and tastings available, and the liqueur will be sold in limited quantities at Chemist Spirits and select ABC stores. Read more.
Funding:
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina has awarded MANNA FoodBank $975,000 to help meet record-high food insecurity across the region. The grant will fund the purchase of fresh produce, proteins, and shelf-stable staples distributed through MANNA’s 300+ partner agencies across 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary. Food insecurity in WNC, already higher than state averages, was worsened by Hurricane Helene, which devastated farms and supply chains. Since the storm, MANNA has delivered 18 million pounds of food, and this new funding ensures continued access to nutritious meals for children, seniors, veterans, and working families. Read more.
Happenings:
Pisgah Legal Services will host its 14th Annual Justice Forum on Oct. 23 at Asheville’s Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Imani Perry, an acclaimed author and scholar, addressing issues of justice and equity impacting WNC and beyond. The evening includes a ticketed reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the free forum at 7 p.m., which will also be livestreamed and offered at regional watch parties. Registration is required, with Spanish interpretation and assistive listening devices available. Register here.
Mars Hill University’s Bascom Lamar Lunsford Mountain Music Festival will return Oct. 4, 2025, with a new indoor evening concert format due to campus construction. Held in Moore Auditorium, the event will feature leading Appalachian musicians and dancers, including the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, Roger Howell, and others. During the festival, alumna Danielle Buice Plimpton will receive the 2024 Lunsford Award for her leadership of the nationally recognized Bailey Mountain Cloggers. Read more.
Opportunity:
Smokies Life is now accepting applications for its 2026 Steve Kemp Writer’s Residency, offering one writer a six-week stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The program provides uninterrupted time for writers of any medium to immerse themselves in the park’s natural and cultural landscape, with past residents producing works from field guides to poetry. Named after longtime Smokies Life editor Steve Kemp, the residency includes mentorship and collaboration with park staff. Applications are open through November 1. Apply here.