Your guide to family fun in Asheville and WNC this week
Date night or family outing, you’ll find plenty to do in Asheville and WNC in the week ahead. Don’t miss the Back-to-School Bash Aug. 10 at Tanger Outlets Asheville. And make sure you grab a little last minute summer fun along the way, like a visit to see the sunflowers and the farm animals at Biltmore Estate. Find more events and tips to get you and your family ready to head back to school – again or for the first time – at wncparent.com.
Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com.
This weekend
“Finding Nemo Jr.” is presented by the Asheville Community Theatre Education Department at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 9 and 10. Visit AshevilleTheatre.org.
The Moppets present “Much Ado About Nothing” at 5 p.m. Aug. 9 – 11 at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater. The Aug. 9 show is an ASL-interpreted performance. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted. Visit themontfordmoppets.org.
Parents Night Out is 5 – 8:45 p.m. Aug. 9.
Ferguson Family YMCA (31 Westridge Market Place, Candler) – Kathy Lehman, klehman@ymcawnc.org, 828-575-2929.
Hendersonville Family YMCA (810 6th Ave. W., Hendersonville) – Adriana Argueta, aargueta@ymcawnc.org, 828-697-9622
Reuter Family YMCA (3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville) – Brittney Gasperson, bgasperson@ymcawnc.org, 828-210-2263
If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50.
Brews & Bears, a family friendly, after-hours summer event series, is 5:30 – 8 p.m. Aug. 9 at WNC Nature Center. Watch black bears Uno and Ursa enjoy popsicle enrichment while learning how to help bears in the wild with BearWise. Drinks and food will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 – $20 each. Visit wildwnc.org/brews-and-bears.
View a meteor shower at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute Aug. 9. Evening and overnight packages are available. For details, visit pari.edu/shop/tickets/event-tickets/meteor-showers-at-pari.
PAWS for Reading – Children can practice reading to a certified therapy dog at the library Aug. 10. Sign up for a 15 minute session by calling your preferred location. Today’s program is 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Call 828-697-4725.
A Back-to-School Bash is noon – 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at Tanger Outlets Asheville. Events including a strolling magician, balloon art, face painting, crafts, selfie station, music, booths, displays and more. Tanger Asheville will collect curated items for seasonal book bundles that will be distributed to students at Read 2 Succeed community partners.
R2S needs the following items:
Winter and spring-themed pencils
Amazon gift cards (to purchase books and materials)
New children’s books with BIPOC main characters and BIPOC authors
Small bulk prizes - winter and spring-themed, i.e., winter rubber duckies
8-pack boxes of crayons
Plastic or paper bags with handles (preferably 12” x 15" to fit a storybook)
Visit tanger.com/asheville/deals.
Second Saturday arts events are Aug. 10 in the River Arts District. Events include artist demos, exhibits and more. For details and locations, visit riverartsdistrict.com.
The Summer Artisan Market is 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 10 at Nantahala Outdoor Center. For details, visit noc.com/events/summer-artisan-market-august-10th.
“The Night School for Young Mystics” Book Signing with Maia Toll is 2 – 4 p.m. (drop in) Aug. 10 at The Hop Ice Cream, 640 Merrimon Ave. The book is recommended for ages 8 – 12. Visit malaprops.com/event to learn more.
Parents Night Out is 4 – 7:45 p.m. Aug. 10 at Black Mountain YMCA (25 Jane Jacobs Road, Black Mountain). A small snack will be provided. If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50. Questions? Contact: Lizzy Wheeler, lwheeler@ymcawnc.org, 828-552-3624. Visit ymcawnc.org and search “parents” for more information.
Date night – An Evening Soirée inspired by Netflix’s hit historical romance series “Bridgerton” is 7 – 10 p.m. Aug. 10 at The Foundry Hotel. Set on the picturesque Event Lawn, this soirée will feature live entertainment, dancing, games, and Bridgerton-inspired complimentary light bites and beverages. Guests can also enjoy photo-op opportunities and watch plein air painters. Specialty drinks will be available for purchase, along with the opportunity to indulge in a Penelope Bourbon tasting. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. For more information, visit foundryasheville.com.
Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023.
This week
Zaniac Light Waves is at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Green River Library (828-697-4969). Children in grades K-8 will learn about the mysteries of light’s behavior in this fun hands-on session with Zaniac Learning Center at the library. Sign up at www.hendersoncountync.gov/library or call your preferred location.
Zaniac Light Waves is at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Edneyville Library (828-685-0110). Children in grades K-8 will learn about the mysteries of light’s behavior in this fun hands-on session with Zaniac Learning Center at the library. Sign up at www.hendersoncountync.gov/library or call your preferred location.
Puppet Playtime is 10 – 11:30 a.m. Aug. 14 at the East Asheville Library. Parental supervision required. Call 828-250-4738 or email eastasheville.library@buncombecounty.org.
Pajama Story Time is at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Columbus Library. All are welcome to wear pajamas and bring stuffed animals and blankets. Story time is designed for ages 2 – 5. Visit polklibrary.org.
Looking ahead
Asheville Junior Theater presents “Into the Woods JR.” at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 – 23, at 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 24, and at 1 and 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Tina McGuire black box theater at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and details, visit worthamarts.org/events/into-the-woods-jr.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Things to do in Asheville, N.C. this week
