This annual festival is a special treat for young and old alike. It's held the first full weekend in October and is co-sponsored by the City of Asheville. The Lake Eden Arts Festival is a fun new event filled with dancing and music, drumming and handcrafts, poetry and storytelling. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial Welcome Center and downtown Asheville host two days of events on the first weekend of October saluting Asheville's most famous writer. Included are readings, discussions, walking tours, a birthday party, music and theater events.
Most events are free.
In mid-October, cozy covers transformed into works of art are on display at the National Guard Armory. The free, day-long event, held in Jackson Park, includes tractor pulls, plus sheep herding and shearing demonstrations. Here you'll find antique and modern farm equipment, square dancing, clogging, arts and crafts and food booths. The festivities end with a Civil War reenactment. A special children's section features activities such as a greased pig contest.