Find your adventures
While you still can, embrace the beautiful chaos of summer. We hope your adventures include a “yes day” before the early morning alarms, lunches, backpacks and the form-filling-out, what’s-for-dinner first week of school gets here. There’s still plenty on the calendar. Check out the events below and WNC Parent’s full August calendar 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.
Animal Feeding is at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.
Family Move Night is 6 – 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Grant Southside Community Center. Admission is free. For details, visit ashevillenc.gov/services/parks-recreation.
Outdoor Movie Night is 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Burton Street Community Center. Admission is free. For details, visit ashevillenc.gov/services/parks-recreation.
Movies in the Park is at 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at Pack Square Park. The event is free. For details, visit ashevillenc.gov/services/parks-recreation.
View the Perseids Meteor Shower Aug. 11 at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Cabin, camping and evening only options are available. For details, visit pari.edu.
Back-to-School Kids Day is noon – 4 p.m. Aug. 12 at Asheville Outlets. The event features sales and promotions including teacher and student discounts at participating stores, plus a strolling magician, face painting, selfie station, music, games and more. Visit shopashevilleoutlets.com.
The Lake Lure Junior Olympiad for ages 4 – 14 is Aug. 12 at Rumbling Bald Resort Beach. For details and registration, visit lakelureolympiad.org/junior-olympiad.
Second Saturday arts events are Aug. 12 in the River Arts District. Events include artist demos, exhibits and more. For details and locations, visit riverartsdistrict.com.
Aquatic Insect Investigation is at 10 a.m. Aug. 12 at The North Carolina Arboretum. Hike down to Bent Creek and learn about the aquatic insects that live in mountain streams, the important role they play in the ecosystems, and more. Come prepared to get wet. Registration is required. For details and registration, visit this link. Learn more at ncarboretum.org.
Creature Feature is at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.
Artisan Market is noon – 5 p.m. Aug. 12 at Nantahala Outdoor Center. For details, visit noc.com/events/artisan-market.
Summer Twilight in the Treetops night climbs are Saturday nights through Sept. 2 at Adventure Center of Asheville. Five of the park’s aerial trails are illuminated. (The Black Trail is not available for night climbs.) Ages 4 and older. Reservations are suggested. Call 877-247-5539 or visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/asheville-treetops-adventure-park.
Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023.
Race to the Rock, part of the Lake Lure Olympiad, is Aug. 13 at Chimney Rock Park. For cost and details, visit chimneyrockpark.com and lakelureolympiad.org.
Story Times resume Aug. 14 at Henderson County Public Libraries. Get full details at hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Read to Puptart, a tail-wagging robot dog, 4 – 5 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Enka-Candler Library. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading for up to 15 minutes. For details, call 828-250-4758 or email enka.library@buncombecounty.org.
Zaniac presents “Magical Magnets” at 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Registration is open for The 31st National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Bakers of all ages and skill levels are invited to compete for an opportunity to win a piece of more than $40,000 in cash and prizes, across the four age categories – Adult, Teen, Youth, and Child. Registration is open through Nov. 13. The competition will be held on Nov. 20. The official gingerbread display at the hotel is Nov. 27, 2023 – Jan. 2, 2024. For details, call the Gingerbread Hotline at 800-413-5778 or visit OmniHotels.com/Gingerbread.
Looking ahead:
Register now for the 18th Annual WNC Run/Walk for Autism coming Sept. 16 at Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher. Proceeds from the event support life improving services offered to individuals with autism and their families in WNC through the Autism Society of North Carolina. For details, visit autismsociety-nc.org/run-walks-autism.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Find your adventures
