Hendersonville Honors Its Appalachian Roots

Hendersonville honors its Appalachian roots every Monday evening with its weekly Street Dance event. Mountain music and dancing have been time-honored ways to celebrate life in Western North Carolina. Downtown Hendersonville fills up with the sounds of banjos and fiddles playing bluegrass and the musical voice of the square dance caller. Everyone is kicking up their heels, even if it’s for the first time.

Beginning at 6:30pm, caller Walt Puckett teaches everyone the basics of square dancing. Then, beginning at 7pm, the music starts up and everyone is invited to join in on the fun, practicing the moves they just learned. Several clogging teams make special appearances to show off their talents to eager audiences. A different live band will be performing each week as well. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the Street Dance will be postponed until 8pm. If Mother Nature still isn’t cooperating, the event will be cancelled altogether for the week.

Hendersonville’s Street Dance has been an annual tradition since 1918. They have become so well known that they were even included in the Blue Ridge Music Trails guidebook. Admission is absolutely free. Everyone is welcome to bring a lawn chair to relax in comfort. But please leave the pets and alcohol at home. Neither is permitted at the Street Dance. People are welcome to begin seating at 5:30pm.

Join Hendersonville in honoring its Appalachian roots every Monday evening from now through August 13th at the Visitors Information Center in Downtown Hendersonville. Learn some moves, listen to great traditional bluegrass music and watch the dancers perform. It’s a great way to spend a Monday evening in Hendersonville.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/07/19/hendersonville-honors-its-appalachian-roots/.

Asheville Hosts the Carolina Mountain Ribfest

Beginning tomorrow, Asheville will be hosting the Carolina Mountain Ribfest.  From July 13th through the 15th, barbecue wizards will be grilling up their specialties at the WNC Agricultural Center Fairgrounds(actually located in Fletcher).  Some of the best chefs in the entire country will be competing to see whose lip-smacking, mouth-watering recipes reign supreme.

Yes, it is called the “ribfest” but there is so much more going on than just barbecued ribs here in the Asheville area.  Chicken, pulled pork and brisket will also be on the menu as well as some tasty desserts.  There will even be vegetarian and seafood fare to enjoy.  While you’re licking off the barbecue sauce from your fingers, you can peruse the arts and crafts show or take in some of the exhibits on display.  Kids will stay occupied with the rides and games designed specifically for them.  There is even a Custom and Classic Car Show scheduled for Sunday from 11am to 3pm.  All proceeds from the participants in the car show will benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

What Western North Carolina festival would be complete without some live music? Musical acts will be performing everything from Bluegrass to Pop and Funk to Southern Rock throughout the entire weekend.  There’s a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy.

The festival will be open from 4pm to 11pm on Friday, 11am to 11pm on Saturday and 11am to 7pm on Sunday.  Tickets are available at the gate.  Tickets are just $7/adult, with children under 12 and active military (must show ID) absolutely free.  If you are interested in showing off your custom or classic automobile in the car show on Sunday, there is a $10 entry fee.  With that fee, you receive two free tickets for the ribfest itself (a $14 value).  Call the Hendersonville Antique Car Club for more information at (828) 329-4971.  Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed, but leave the coolers, backpacks, pets and outside food/beverages at home.

If you love barbecue, good music and fun in general, you don’t want to miss out this weekend.  Asheville hosts the Carolina Mountain Ribfest this Friday, July 13th through Sunday, July 15th.  Visit the WNC Agricultural Center Fairgrounds in Fletcher for some good old fashioned, lip-smacking, foot-stomping fun for the entire family.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/07/12/asheville-hosts-the-carolina-mountain-ribfest/.

Asheville’s Curiosity Market for Animals

Local Hendersonville areaartists come together for Asheville’s Curiosity Market for Animals on July 7, 2012.  The Curiosity Market is meant to bring awareness and adoptive parents to Animal Haven, an Asheville no-kill sanctuary.  While Animal Haven mainly takes in abandoned and abused farm animals, they also have several dogs and cats that need good homes.

Curiosity Market takes place from 10am to 4pm at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville.  Local area artists perform for free to the public.  Several Asheville area businesses donate some great prizes to be raffled off to all attendants at the Curiosity Market.  All money raised goes directly to Animal Haven.  While they primarily shelter animals, Animal Haven also provides a Meals on Wheels program so pets of low-income families can be properly fed.  Their New Leash on Life program provides valuable rehabilitation work with the inmates of Black Mountain Women’s Correctional Center.  Another program offered by Animal Haven involves teaching children responsible ownership and care of pets.

Other dates for Curiosity Market include:

• August 4, 2012
• August 18, 2012
• September 1, 2012

Asheville’s Curiosity Market for Animals helps bring attention and money to local Asheville no-kill sanctuary Animal Haven.  While you’re at the Curiosity Market, consider adopting a new furry family member for yourself.  They help kids learn responsibility and give your years of their unconditional love.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/07/05/ashevilles-curiosity-market-for-animals/.