Check out our WNC Parent calendar for August

Find weekly updates and highlights online at wncparent.com. Send your organization’s family events to chris@worthyplace.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 1

Animal Feeding is at 2:30 p.m. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Teen Creative Writing Club for grades 6 – 12 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Join other teens interested in creative writing, storytelling, connecting with other teen writers, and getting feedback on your work. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library or email clindsey@hendersoncountync.gov.

Wednesday, Aug. 2

A Bird's Eye View is 8 – 9:30 a.m. at Highlands Biological Station. This summer, the Highlands Biological Station will be banding birds in partnership with Blue Ridge Bird Observatory for the 4th consecutive year. Stop by the Station during banding days to see bird research in action and to learn about what data – and birds – have been found so far. Dates are highly weather dependent and subject to change. Visit highlandsbiological.org for updates.

Take a Garden Tour at 1:30 p.m. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Read to Puptart, a tail-wagging robot dog, 4 – 5 p.m. 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.

Dark Sky Astronomy Night is at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. For details, visit pari.edu.

Thursday, Aug. 3

Wild Encounters with Naturalist Carlton Burke is at 2 p.m. at the West Asheville Library. For details, call 828-250-4750 or email westasheville.library@buncombecounty.org.

Meet Gracie – Read to a therapy dog 4 – 5 p.m. at the Enka-Candler Library. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading. For details, call 828-250-4758 or email enka.library@buncombecounty.org.

EcoExplore – Entomology with the North Carolina Arboretum is at 4 p.m. at the Leicester Library. For details, call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 on Thursdays – Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays for $5 after 5 p.m. Rentals are available for an extra charge. For conditions, call 828-225-2921. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

The 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival is at UNC-Asheville. For details and schedule, visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/mountain-dance-and-folk-festival.

Friday, Aug. 4

The 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival is at UNC-Asheville. For details and schedule, visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/mountain-dance-and-folk-festival.

Animal Feeding is at 2:30 p.m. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Community Skate Night is 5 – 6:30 p.m. at Carrier Park. The event is free. For details, visit ashevillenc.gov/services/parks-recreation.

Saturday, Aug. 5

Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” program allows cardholders free admission to Asheville Museum of Science today. For details, visit about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/arts-and-culture#museums-on-us.

Banner Elk’s Art on the Greene Summer Series is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in front of the Historic Banner Elk School. Food trucks will be available. For details, visit BannerElk.com or call 828-898-5398.

Family Storytime: The Magic Story Machine is at 10:30 a.m. at the East Asheville Library. The program is for all ages. Call 828-250-4738 or email eastasheville.library@buncombecounty.org.

Creature Feature is at 11:30 a.m. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

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.

The 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival is at UNC-Asheville. For details and schedule, visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/mountain-dance-and-folk-festival.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” program allows cardholders free admission to Asheville Museum of Science today. For details, visit about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/arts-and-culture#museums-on-us.

Tiny Tykes Triathlon for ages 3 – 6 is at 9:15 a.m. at Pack Square Park. Registration is required. The cost is $10. For registration and details, visit avlrec.com.

Banner Elk’s Art on the Greene Summer Series is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in front of the Historic Banner Elk School. Food trucks will be available. For details, visit BannerElk.com or call 828-898-5398.

Monday, Aug. 7

Nature Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. at Highlands Nature Center. Read books, sing silly songs and make crafts all about the great outdoors with local storyteller Ms. KK. This program is geared towards elementary-aged children, but all nature explorers are welcome. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 8

Animal Feeding is at 2:30 p.m. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 9

Read to Puptart, a tail-wagging robot dog, 4 – 5 p.m. 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.

Thursday, Aug. 10

Toddler Open Play Family Social is at 10 a.m. at the Enka-Candler Library. Capacity is limited. Pick up a ticket at the front desk. For details, call 828-250-4758 or email enka.library@buncombecounty.org.

Felt Stories - Puppet Storytime is at 3:30 p.m. at the North Asheville Library. Suggested for ages 3 – 8, but all are welcome. No registration required. Call 828-250-4752 or email northasheville.library@buncombecounty.org.

Teen Anime Club for grades 6 – 12 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Enjoy anime watching, manga discussions, games, creating, and more.For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 on Thursdays – Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays for $5 after 5 p.m. Rentals are available for an extra charge. For conditions, call 828-225-2921. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

Public Viewing Night is at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. For details, visit pari.edu.

Friday, Aug. 11

Animal Feeding is at 2:30 p.m. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Family Move Night is 6 – 8 p.m. 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. 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. at Pack Square Park. The event is free. For details, visit ashevillenc.gov/services/parks-recreation.

View the Perseids Meteor Shower at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Cabin, camping and evening only options are available. For details, visit pari.edu.

Saturday, Aug. 12

The Lake Lure Junior Olympiad for ages 4 – 14 is at Rumbling Bald Resort Beach. For details and registration, visit lakelureolympiad.org/junior-olympiad.

Second Saturday arts events are 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. 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. at Highlands Nature Center. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Artisan Market is noon – 5 p.m. 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. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023.

Sunday, Aug. 13

Race to the Rock, part of the Lake Lure Olympiad, is at Chimney Rock Park. For cost and details, visit chimneyrockpark.com and lakelureolympiad.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. Call 828-250-4700 or email library@buncombecounty.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 16

Read to Puptart, a tail-wagging robot dog, 4 – 5 p.m. 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. at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Thursday, Aug. 17

Teens make LED cloud lamps at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Meet Gracie – Read to a therapy dog 4 – 5 p.m. at the Enka-Candler Library. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading. For details, call 828-250-4758 or email enka.library@buncombecounty.org.

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 on Thursdays – Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays for $5 after 5 p.m. Rentals are available for an extra charge. For conditions, call 828-225-2921. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

Saturday, Aug. 19

Naturalist Niche: Marvelous Mycology is 9 a.m. – noon at Chimney Rock Park. The program includes a moderately strenuous hike. For cost and details, visit chimneyrockpark.com.

The 18^th Annual Come to Leicester Studio Tour is a free, self-guided event where visitors choose their own tour stops using a printed full-color map of the area, along with pictures of each artist’s work. Detailed brochures with maps will be available at various locations in Leicester and the surrounding communities before the tour, as well as at each stop on the tour days. Bold signs along the route direct visitors to the individual stops. Visit cometoleicester.org to view all the artists and print a map.

Outdoor Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. at the Fairview Library. Ages 3 – 5. For details, call 828-250-6484 or email fairview.library@buncombecounty.org.

Skyland Fire Safety Day is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Biltmore Church. Admission is free to attend. Food trucks will be on site. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and listen to live music while also visiting participating organizations to learn more about health and safety tips. For details, visit facebook.com/SkylandFireDept.

Toybox’s (Mostly) Monthly Puppetry Series is 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at The Magnetic Theatre. This new puppetry series is for all ages and will feature original works by acclaimed award-winning puppeteer and clown, Toybox, along with some of the best puppeteers in the nation as special guests. Visit themagnetictheatre.org.

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. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023.

Tuesday, Aug. 22

Toddler Open Play Family Social is at 10 a.m. at the Enka-Candler Library. Capacity is limited. Pick up a ticket at the front desk. For details, call 828-250-4758 or email enka.library@buncombecounty.org.

Sneak Preview: Asheville Community Theatre Performance of “Pippin” is at 6 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. For details, call 828-250-4700 or email jen.waite@buncombecounty.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 23

Henderson County Beekeepers Association presents “Bees 101” at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Thursday, Aug. 24

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 on Thursdays – Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays for $5 after 5 p.m. Rentals are available for an extra charge. For conditions, call 828-225-2921. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

Friday, Aug. 25

LEGO Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Fairview Library. For details, call 828-250-6484 or email fairview.library@buncombecounty.org.

Saturday, Aug. 26

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. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. Call 828-250-4700 or email library@buncombecounty.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

YMCA Mobile Market is at the Enka Candler Library noon – 1 p.m. Bring grocery bags and get fresh food. Distributions are free. The market provides fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and more. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library or call 828-250-4758.

Learn about Peregrine Falcons with Chimney Rock Park at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

“Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” opens with a reception from 5 – 7 p.m. at Western Carolina University. The exhibit celebrates the legacy of Lambert Wilson, a passionate collector of contemporary Native American art who encountered a beloved Cherokee sculpture as a student at WCU and decided to devote his life to supporting and encouraging Native artists.

The WCU Fine Art Museum exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. For details, call 828-227-ARTS or visit wcu.edu/bardo-arts-center.

Thursday, Aug. 31

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 on Thursdays – Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays for $5 after 5 p.m. Rentals are available for an extra charge. For conditions, call 828-225-2921. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

STORY TIME, FAMILY FUN AND MORE

Registration is open for The 31^st 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.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn 5 years old, creating a home library of up to 60 books and instilling a love of books and reading. For details and registration, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Home School Discount Days – Book your homeschool field trip on a weekday between Aug. 15 and Sept. 29 at the Adventure Center of Asheville and get discounted adventures, experiential learning programs and team building programs. Reservations are required. For more information, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/groups/home-school-discount-days.

Arbor Evenings are 5:30 – 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays in August at the North Carolina Arboretum. For details, visit ncarboretum.org.

Scholastics Art and Writing Awards 2024 Submissions – Asheville Art Museum is a regional affiliate partner sponsoring the WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards each year. Students in grades 7–12 from all across Western North Carolina are invited to submit work for this special juried competition. For more information, visit artandwriting.org or call 828-253-3227, ext. 133.

Two O’Clock Rocks at 2 p.m. weekdays this summer at Hands On! Children’s Museum. Activities range from dance parties and limbo contests to science demonstrations and craft projects. The program is included with general admission and registration is not required. Visit handsonwnc.org.

Highlands Nature Center resumes fall hours beginning Aug. 16 and will be open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday. Visit highlandsbiological.org.

The Summer Music Series in Beech Mountain includes a full schedule of concerts. For tickets and details, visit  beechmountainresort.com/summer-concert-series-2023.

“Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit” is open through Sept. 10 at the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville, South Carolina. At this play-and-learn exhibit, visitors step into the pages of author and illustrator Eric Carle’s colorful picture books and experience them as artist and reader, while discovering and playing with five special insects from his well-known children’s books. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org.

Tickets for Autumn at Oz, held in September at Land of Oz, are on sale. For details, visit landofoznc.com.

Fall group tours for grades pre-K – 12 are offered at Asheville Art Museum. For details and registration, visit ashevilleart.org.

Small-scale Kids Art + Design Classes for ages 6 – 12 are offered by Ginger Huebner at the R+W Creative Campus. Three-day classes are Aug 7 – 9 and Aug. 14 – 16. For details and registration, visit gingerhuebner.com/art-education-consulting.

Create + Connect Mini-Retreat for ages 16 and older is offered by Ginger Huebner Aug. 13 and Aug. 17. For details, visit gingerhuebner.com/create-connect-retreats.

Italian Renaissance Alive is open at Biltmore Estate. The multi-sensory experience immerses guests in the beauty and brilliance of the greatest artistic period in history as it comes to life all around you. Large-scale projections with 360-degree views set to a powerful operatic score tell the story of artists and the time periods within which they lived. Italian Renaissance Alive features Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio and more. It continues through Jan. 7, 2024. For details and ticket information, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/italian-renaissance-alive. Children ages 16 and younger are admitted free to Biltmore through Sept. 4 with an accompanying ticketed adult. This applies to two ticket types: the “House & Grounds” ticket and the “House, Italian Renaissance Exhibition and 2-day Grounds” ticket. For ticket options, visit biltmore.com/landing/ticket-options-for-summer.

Hands On! Children’s Museum offers free admission to families who present their adult WIC card. Zoom passes from the Hendersonville Library have limited day passes as well. For details, visit handsonwnc.org.

Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Black Bear Half Marathon and 8K Oct. 8 in Hendersonville. For details, visit blackbearhalfmarathon.com.

Story Times resume Aug. 14 at Henderson County Public Libraries. Get full details at hendersoncountync.gov/library.

• Mills River and Edneyville (families welcome) – 10 a.m. Mondays

• Etowah (families welcome) – 10 a.m. Tuesdays

• Preschool story time at Main (ages 3 – 5) – 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays

• Fletcher (families welcome) and Toddler Time at Main (ages 18 months – 3) – 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays

• Green River (families welcome) – 10 a.m. Thursdays

• Music and Movement at Main (families welcome) – 10:30 a.m. Thursdays

• Bouncing Babies at Main (ages birth – 18 months with a caregiver) – 11:15 a.m. Thursdays

Story times are offered at Buncombe County Libraries. Note that times may change through mid-August following the summer reading program. Get full details at buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/services/story-times.aspx.

Baby Story Time – ages 4 – 18 months:

• Oakley/South Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

• Leicester Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

• Weaverville Library – Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

Toddler Story Time – ages 18 months – 3 years:

• North Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

• Fairview Library and Leicester Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Enka-Candler Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Time – ages 3 – 5 years:

• East Asheville Library and West Asheville Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

• Swannanoa Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Fairview Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

• Black Mountain Library and Weaverville Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

• Pack Memorial Library – Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Hora Del Cuento/Story Time

• Skyland/South Buncombe Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

• Oakley/South Asheville Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Zoom D&D with Raj for teens is 3 – 6 p.m. Saturdays through the Buncombe County Library. Sign-up is required. Email Raj at raj.bowers-racine@buncombecounty.org to request attendance.

Kindermusik for ages birth – 5 is offered at We Rock the Spectrum. For details, visit kindermusik.com/studio/58207.

Nantahala Outdoor Center offers adventure trips. For details, visit noc.com.

SUPPORT AND CONNECTION

Community Connections: Free Parenting Resource meets noon – 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at We Rock the Spectrum Asheville. Ask questions, talk and build community. For challenges with toddlerhood, potty training, socialization, school or learning, challenging behaviors, wanting to increase connectivity to others, and experiences, supporting meaningful communication, etc. this free monthly question-and-answer session for parents is hosted by Dayna Lauren. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4na43kcp.

Perinatal Loss Support Group – Homegrown Families Perinatal Bereavement Parent Support Group is for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. For details, visit ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.

The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is an evidence-based program that gives parents confidence and in turn, helps them raise confident children. Local parents and caregivers have access to this free, positive parenting course online. Access Triple P resources at triplepwnc.com or triplep-parenting.com.

GET READY FOR BABY

Mission Health offers prenatal classes, including a childbirth and hospital orientation class and a breastfeeding class. For details and registration, visit missionhealth.org/services-treatments/maternity-care/labor-delivery-mission.

Homegrown Families offers a variety of childbirth and prenatal classes. Learn more and register at ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.

Prenatal Classes and a mom group are offered by Haywood Regional Medical Center. Call 828-552-8440 or visit myhaywoodregional.com/events.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Check out our WNC Parent calendar for August