Outdoor fun and a taste of back to school

Chris Worthy
·4 min read

This week, explore art, have fun with fire safety and get a taste of back-to-school delight at a family concert. Find this and much more from WNC Parent – including tips on after-school choices, information about breastfeeding and a new and innovative surgery that could help young athletes – all online 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.

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

Naturalist Niche: Marvelous Mycology is 9 a.m. – noon Aug. 19 at Chimney Rock Park. The program includes a moderately strenuous hike. For cost and details, visit chimneyrockpark.com.

The 18th Annual Come to Leicester Studio Tour is Aug. 19 and 20. This 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. Aug. 19 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. Aug. 19 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. Aug. 19 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.

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023.

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.

A Back-to-School Family Show with the Billy Jonas Band, presented by The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds, is at 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at The Grey Eagle Music Hall. Tickets to the family show are $9 – $11 each and available for purchase here through The Grey Eagle. For details, visit billyjonas.com.

Parent mentor training for Mission’s Family Support Network will be offered on three upcoming dates: 5:30 – 8 p.m. Aug. 22, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Sept. 13, and noon – 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18. All sessions will be at Mission Children’s at 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Asheville. This training is for parents who understand the unique experience of raising a child with a disability, mental health challenge, or special healthcare need. Since 1985, Mission Children’s Hospital Family Support Network (FSN) has connected parents to volunteer parents who are uniquely qualified to help because of shared experiences. At the upcoming mentor training, parents are trained to offer support in meaningful ways for families undergoing a new diagnosis, transition, or crisis. This training offers volunteer parents the tools they need to support others and become an official FSN Parent Mentor. To register, call 828-213-0047 or email mhav.familysupportnetwork@hcahealthcare.com.

Looking ahead:

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.

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: Outdoor fun and a taste of back to school