Your guide to summer fun in WNC this weekend
Ready for school or ready for a summer restart? Either way, there’s a big chunk of summer left and plenty to do! Check out the full July calendar, WNC Parent’s annual birthday guide – plan your whole year of birthday celebrations – and much more 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 [email protected].
This weekend
The Moppets perform Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" at 5 p.m. July 12 – 14 at Hazel Robinson Amphitheater. For details and tickets, visit themontfordmoppets.org.
Parents Night Out is 5 – 8:45 p.m. July 12.
Ferguson Family YMCA (31 Westridge Market Place, Candler) – Kathy Lehman, [email protected], 828-575-2929.
Hendersonville Family YMCA (810 6th Ave. W., Hendersonville) – Adriana Argueta, [email protected], 828-697-9622
Reuter Family YMCA (3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville) – Brittney Gasperson, [email protected], 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 Summer Event series is 5:30 – 8 p.m. July 12 at WNC Nature Center. Brews and Bears is an after-hours summer event series where you can enjoy the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer, cider, or wine in hand. There are also food vendors and educational programming, along with popsicle enrichment for black bears Uno and Ursa. Tickets are $15 to $35 each, with options for members, non-members, and VIPs. Visit wildwnc.org/brews-and-bears to buy tickets and learn more.
Movies in the Park: “Guardians of the Galaxy” is July 12 at Pack Square. The movie will begin about 8:45 p.m. For full details, visit ashevillenc.gov/news/what-to-know-about-asheville-parks-recreations-free-movies-in-the-park-series-starting-may-10
The Urban Garden Tour & Tasting with Bountiful Cities is 1 – 4 p.m. July 14 in Asheville. Tour the gardens while enjoying dishes and beverages created using seasonal produce. In an effort to raise awareness about food security and urban agriculture, Bountiful Cities brings together this collection of gardens to show how much delicious food can be produced in Asheville. Ticket holders can sample unique creations and confections from Curate, Sunny Point Cafe, The Hop Ice Cream, DJ’s Pickles, Sugar and Snow Gelato, Everyday Gourmet, Buchi Kombucha, and more. There will also be an after party hosted by The Odd starting at 6 p.m. Registration is free to visit the gardens. To sample food and beverages at all 10 gardens, tickets are available at the early bird price of $40. Register or purchase tickets at bountifulcities.org or directly on the registration page.To view a map of the gardens, visit here.
This week
Dana Hill Magic presents a family friendly magic show July 16 – at 11 a.m. at the Fletcher Library and at 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
$1 Summer movies – “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” are shown at 11 a.m. July 16 and 17 at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.
Journal Making for Teens is at 2 p.m. July 16 at the Edneyville Library. Rising grades 6 – 12 are invited to design and decorate your own journal. Supplies provided. Register online or call 828-685-0110. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Eyes That Shine Back is at 8:30 p.m. July 16 at Highlands Nature Center. This free program is weather-dependent. Registration is required. Visit highlandsbiological.org.
Story Time is 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. July 17 at the Asheville YMCA (30 Woodfin St.). Join in for story time with Jen from the Leicester Library. Each month features a new theme with stories, crafts, songs, and interactive activities. This is a free event located in the Youth Development Center. Questions? Contact Jenn Lawing, [email protected], 828-552-3605. Visit ymcawnc.org/schedules/events/story-time-1.
Dana Hill Magic presents a family friendly magic show at 11 a.m. July 17 at the Mills River Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Summer Splash is 11 – 2 p.m. July 18 at Malvern Hills Park. All Ages. Admission is free. The event includes water-themed activities to beat the heat. For details, visit avlrec.com.
Looking ahead
Outdoor Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. July 20 at the Fairview Library. Call 828-250-6484 or email [email protected].
“The Haunted States of America” Book Signing with Melissa Cole is 2 – 4 p.m. (drop in) July 20 at The Hop Ice Cream (Merrimon Ave.). The book is recommended for ages 9 – 12. Visit malaprops.com/event to learn more.
The Big Secret Family Festival, a musical extravaganza for all ages, is July 21 at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain. The event features local bands, food, and entertainment and is organized by Grammy-winning musician and Asheville local Cactus, also known as Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. All profits from the festival benefit local nonprofits Delta House (Asheville's oldest afterschool program) and Bounty & Soul (providing healthy food to marginalized communities in Asheville and Black Mountain). For details, visit pisgahbrewing.com/event/the-big-secret-family-festival.
Big Bang Boom! presents a high energy show of parent-friendly children’s music July 22 – at 11 a.m. at the Etowah Library and at 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Looking for things to do in Asheville? Summer fun is here