Featured Events in Buncombe County in August, 2025 (August Updated)

Paths of Enlichenment With Laura Boggess Friday, August 8  |  1 - 4pm BRN - Elective  Join Laura for an enlightening (en-lichen-ing!) 3-hour session about lichen lifestyles and the insights they offer. We'll begin in the classroom with an introduction to lichen identification, their roles in ecosystems, and traditional uses as medicine and natural dyes. Then we'll take a slow observant walk--on lichen time--through the Arboretum grounds to practice field identification and deepen our connection with these remarkable beings. In the final portion of the session, we'll reflect on the deeper insights lichens offer in a time of global transformation. As we face what Joanna Macy calls "the Great Unraveling," marked by biodiversity loss, economic instability, and climate change—lichens can inspire us to reimagine resilience through cooperation, interconnection and attentive presence.  No prior lichen knowledge is necessary. If you have a hand-lens, please bring it. If you don't, we have some to lend. This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather. Laura Boggess is a cliff ecologist, lichenologist, and faculty member at Mars Hill University. Her deepest passion lies in exploring cliff ecosystems—both as a scientist and a climber—and she finds continual inspiration in the quiet beauty and resilience of lichens. Through her work as a quantitative ecologist, she studies how humans impact cliff and lichen communities in the Southern Appalachians. As an educator, she seeks to translate the lessons of coexistence and ecological wisdom that lichens offer into meaningful reflections for our changing world. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with questions. See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here ! Questions? Check our FAQs . We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram ! Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord ! Information Source: The NC Arboretum: Adult Education Programs | eventbrite

9 TEAMS. 2,700 HOT DOGS. 1 ROYAL WIENER. Get ready for Asheville’s wildest culinary showdown at The Big Wiener Party — a hot dog topping competition like no other at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ in partnership with the Asheville Comedy Festival . Slated for Saturday, August 9, 2025 , from 2–6 PM on Asheville’s vibrant South Slope, this fun-filled fundraiser promises bold flavors, belly laughs, and big-hearted impact. Hosted by food-world personalities Kyle “The Vulgar Chef” Marcoux and Dan “The Food In My Beard” Whalen. Nine daring teams will dress up 300 hot dogs in outrageous, creative toppings to compete for the ultimate title: King or Queen Wiener . A star-studded local judging panel— Both hosts plus DJ Jeremy Greene ( iHeartMedia, The Sportsocracy ), Todd Lewis (Front of House Engineer for Luke Combs ), and Stu Helm , Asheville’s own food blogging icon—will crown the winning wiener creations. Adding even more sizzle, comedians from the Asheville Comedy Festival will hype each team’s hot dog entry, blending hilarious commentary with a hefty dose of showmanship. Expect a delicious mash-up of culinary creativity and comic relief. The event doesn’t stop at the final bite— Hi-Wire Brewing will keep the brews flowing all afternoon, followed by a lively after-party featuring a local DJ and a cheeky late-night menu curated by The Vulgar Chef . Confirmed Competing Teams Include: The Sportsocracy Hi-Wire Brewing Wicked Weed Brewing Asheville Sports Club Capella on 9 Knuckle Deep BBQ PIE.ZAA The Vault Infill D Proceeds from The Big Wiener Party support Bear’s Foundation’s mental health initiative , Linked4Life, which funds free mental health counseling for Asheville’s food & beverage workers through All Souls Counseling Center . ​️One ticket = one person. ​Your ticket includes entry to The Big Wiener Party, 9 half-hot dogs (one from each competing team), beer sampling from Hi-Wire Brewing, ​ and the chance to cast your vote for the People's Choice Award! Come hungry, come curious, and get ready for a flavorful, fun-filled afternoon of fierce (and funny) competition! (***Kids under 10 can enjoy a half hot dog for just $3! Available for purchase day of event.) Information Source: Bear's Smokehouse BBQ - AVL | eventbrite

In the vibrant city of Asheville, music enthusiasts will find themselves drawn to an unforgettable evening at the Salvage Station on August 10, 2025. The stage will be graced by the electrifying presence of Blackberry Smoke, The Dirty Knobs, and Mike Campbell, promising a night of musical brilliance. With ticket prices set at a reasonable $40, attendees will experience the soulful blend of Southern rock and Americana that Blackberry Smoke is renowned for, alongside the raw, gritty sounds of The Dirty Knobs, led by the legendary Mike Campbell. Known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Campbell brings a wealth of musical expertise and charisma that is sure to captivate the audience. Nestled in the heart of Asheville, the Salvage Station offers a unique venue that complements the rich tapestry of sounds, creating an atmosphere where music lovers can immerse themselves in the artistry and passion of these iconic performers. This event stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of rock and roll, making it a must-attend for those seeking an authentic musical experience.

Intro to Interpretation for Naturalists with Lauren Lampley Thursday, August 21 | 12 - 4 pm BRN - Capstone Interpretation, at its core, is the act of sharing the meaning of something we are seeing or observing. In the educational lens, outdoor interpretation is a method of teaching mostly used by rangers and educators in parks throughout the US. We will go over Freeman Tilden’s Principles of Interpretation and how naturalists might use them to educate people about the natural world. This class is the reformatted Natural History Interpretation capstone class that is part of our Blue Ridge Naturalist Certification of Merit curriculum and qualifies for credit toward the BRN certification. Anyone can join this class and it is no longer limited to just BRN students at the end of their studies. This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather. Lauren Lampley began her career at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation as a Park Naturalist which solidified Lauren’s interests in ecology and a passion for teaching others. She has led walks and hikes in a variety of subjects from Geology to Birding and especially enjoys learning and teaching about our local ecology. She currently works at the NC Arboretum as the Adult Education Coordinator managing all the programming hosted through the Adult Education Department. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with questions. See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here ! Questions? Check our FAQs . We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram ! Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord ! Information Source: The NC Arboretum: Adult Education Programs | eventbrite

Soil Amendments & Natural Fertilizers with Phil Roudebush Friday, August 22  |  1 - 4pm BRN - Core  |  BREG - Elective What should we do to amend our heavy clay soils? Soil amendments include any material added and mixed into soil to improve the fertility, physical characteristics or beneficial microbial activity in the soil. Fertilizers are soil amendments that guarantee minimum nutrient percentages. This class will discuss basic concepts of soil science and how soil amendments, soil conditioners and natural fertilizers can be used to improve soil quality. Phil Roudebush is a native of Indiana and lived in Colorado, Missouri, Mississippi and Kansas before moving to North Carolina in 2015. He is a retired veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice, taught in several veterinary schools and did research, product development and technical communication in the animal health industry. Phil has maintained a large vegetable garden, herb garden, pumpkin patch, water garden and a 30-acre native grass hay pasture. He was an Extension Master Gardener in Shawnee County, Kansas before moving to Asheville and is a certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Buncombe County. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with questions. See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here ! Questions? Check our FAQs . We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram ! Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord ! Information Source: The NC Arboretum: Adult Education Programs | eventbrite

Experience the mesmerizing melodies of Ethel Cain on the Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour as they make a stop in Asheville on August 30, 2025. The event will take place at Asheville Yards located at 75 Coxe Avenue, NC, 28801. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness Ethel Cain's captivating performance in a stunning venue in the heart of Asheville.

Chasing Dragons and Damsels in WNC with Shane Myers Saturday, August 30  |  9 - 10:30am BRN - Elective Dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are some of our most fascinating insects. Come with us as we talk about their natural history, lives, and ecological importance. We’ll go down to Willow Pond and observe some of these enchanting insects in the wild and up close.  This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Shane Myers' interest in nature began as a child with a love of dinosaurs. This quickly grew to include fossils, insects, and reptiles, and learning from the notes his grandparents kept of the birds that came to their feeders in Toledo, Ohio.  He has a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology and did most of his undergraduate work on dragonflies and damselflies. This work included coordinating an Ohio- wide survey of dragonflies that culminated in a publication in 2024. He's assisted in outreach and education for plant conservation groups, Odonata Groups, and various bird groups. Shane currently works for the Adult Education department at the NC Arboretum. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with questions. See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here ! Questions? Check our FAQs . We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram ! Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord ! Information Source: The NC Arboretum: Adult Education Programs | eventbrite

Experience the mesmerizing sounds of STS9 at their upcoming event in Asheville. The event will take place at Asheville Yards, located at 75 Coxe Avenue, NC, 28801, on August 1, 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment. Get ready to be captivated by the unique blend of electronic music and instrumental rock that STS9 is known for. Mark your calendar and prepare for a night to remember with STS9 in Asheville.

Songs I Sent You - Album Release Concert Guys!!!! I'm releasing an album!!!! And you're gonna come watch me perform songs from it!!!!! Enjoy an opening performance by my friends The Moon and You before I get up there with my band of super-talented hotties, Lefty Carmean (guitar), Tim Comstock (bass) and Luke Mitchell (drums, but also did you know that Luke PRODUCED my whole album????? you're gonna love it). Tickets are $10+fees in advance and pay-what-you-can at the door. Information Source: eventbrite

Birding for Beginners with Shane Myers Tuesday, August 5  |  9 - 10:30am BRN - Elective Join us on this birding walk around the NC Arboretum gardens and trails in search of our most colorful residents. We will go over best practices for using binoculars, recommendations for purchasing your own binoculars, and popular field guides to use. Bring your own binoculars but if you do not have a pair we have some loaner binoculars available to use during the program. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Shane Myers' interest in nature began as a child with a love of dinosaurs. This quickly grew to include fossils, insects, and reptiles, and learning from the notes his grandparents kept of the birds that came to their feeders in Toledo, Ohio.  He has a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology and did most of his undergraduate work on dragonflies and damselflies. This work included coordinating an Ohio- wide survey of dragonflies that culminated in a publication in 2024. He's assisted in outreach and education for plant conservation groups, Odonata Groups, and various bird groups. Shane currently works for the Adult Education department at the NC Arboretum. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with questions. See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here ! Questions? Check our FAQs . We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram ! Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord ! Information Source: The NC Arboretum: Adult Education Programs | eventbrite