aabani Salon and Spa (12 South Main Street) is turning 1 and will be hosting a celebration on Thursday, June 3, 2010, 6-8 p.m.  Stop by for the party, which will feature champagne, food, cake, live music, and art by Humberto Dionisio.

MPAC is again sponsoring a 4th of July Block Party at the soccer fields at North Buncombe High School.  Here’s the release, “hot off the press”, with more details to come as we get closer to the celebration:

At MPAC, we believe strongly that a fitting celebration of our nation’s independence is in order ~ not an after thought!

What: MPAC’s 4th of July WNC Block Party
Where: NBHS practice soccer field (Salem Hill Rd, Weaverville)
When: Sunday, July 4, 2010, Noon-10 p.m.

This year’s MPAC’s 4th of July WNC Block Party is already even bigger than last year’s. We have had so much interest from bands that we now have two stages this year! Yo Mamma’s Big Fat Booty Band headlines and Afromotive, BAYUKA (Rasta man Jacob Marley’s Band!), Traveling Bonfires, Galen Kipar, Chris O’Neill, Jay Sanders, Red Hot Sugar Babies, Richard Schulman and many others are also on the bill. Lyric poets Pasckie Pascua, Roberto Hess and many others will read and hold a Poetic SLAM. There will be a Story Telling Competition, Asheville International Children’s Film Festival will have an exhibition, “A Taste of PUSH Asheville Fashion Runway Show” will be held on stage three!, Sports & Movement Demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day, 3 Color Guards will present, and Allyson MacCauley will sing the National Anthem to Asheville’s Fireworks ~ Yes! Asheville’s Fireworks! We discovered last year that the venue has perfect view of Asheville’s display of fireworks! Thus, folks can see Asheville’s fireworks with no traffic hassle, tons of free parking and WAY better music!, etc. etc.

We are encouraging folks to bring a blanket and stay for the day. Other musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and set up under the trees around the park and play and jam.

Several fine artists have already secured booth space. A couple of food vendors are already on the bill. We have a few booth spaces left open for vendors at $50 for a 10×10 space. Churches, Non Profits and Civic organizations receive a booth free of charge. We are also taking applications for a few more food vendors. Contact is Randy@myMPAC.com, 828-645-2030

Here’s some of the festivities planned around Weaverville this Saturday for Independence Day:

Kiwanis Firecracker 5k Race
8:30 a.m., NBHS
More info…

Beech Community’s 125th Independence Day Celebration
10 a.m.-early afternoon, Beech Community Center
More info…

MPAC July 4th Block Party
10 a.m.-10 p.m., NBHS Soccer Fields.
More info…

If you’re wondering why there’s nothing listed for Main Street or Lake Louise, read this.

No fireworks in Weaverville this year. If you’re looking for fireworks, try Barnardsville. Their July 4th celebration starts at 2 p.m. at the Big Ivy Community Center and includes a parade, food, and music. Fireworks begin after dark. For other celebrations and fireworks displays options in the area, check out this list from Mountain Xpress.

The 2008 NC Mountain State Fair is back in WNC beginning Friday, September 5 and running through Sunday, September 14 at the WNC Agricultural Center (1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher).  If you’re planning to go, you can save by purchasing tickets by Thursday, September 4 at the Weaverville Ingles (140 Weaver Blvd.) or any other Ingles location.

Visit the Mountain State Fair website for more information, including hours, directions, special admission days, and entertainment schedule.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with a dinner on June 19 at Claxton Farm (288 Upper Flat Creek Road). The event will take place 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person, which includes admission, dinner, beverages including beer and wine, entertainment, and a speaker. Groups may also reserve tables of 8 for $400 saving $10 per ticket. To reserve call 336-721-0260 or email lfletcher@BRPFoundation.org.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt will be a special guest along with Dr. Harley Jolley at a celebration of the creation of the CCC at historic Claxton Farm near Weaverville, NC this June. The celebration is a ticketed event and open to the public.

The celebration is hosted by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in recognition of the contribution of the CCC to the Blue Ridge Parkway and North Carolina, as well as honoring the scholarship and personal contributions of Dr. Harley Jolley, noted Parkway historian, author, and professor emeritus of history at Mars Hill College.

The CCC was established by President Roosevelt as part of the New Deal to counter two major problems of the early 1930s — mass unemployment and severe erosion that was literally washing away the soil of America.

Single men, ages eighteen to twenty-five were recruited, lived in camps, and began work on projects that made North Carolina a leader in tourism. Dr. Jolley is the author of a new book released this spring “That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace” that gives a scholarly account of the North Carolina CCC program and is very entertaining by the many photographs from the era.

On Thursday evening, June 19, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will celebrate both Dr. Jolley and the CCC at the event which will be reminiscent of an authentic CCC camp plus wonderful food, Parkway wines, and entertainment. Tickets are $60 per person.

All are welcome!

Asheville Aerial Arts performer and the 96.5 House Band at last week’s Cirque du MPAC at the Orange Peel. The event was a benefit concert for the Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex (MPAC) local organizers are hoping to bring to Weaverville. Executive Director Randy Bassham says they will hold another Cirque du MPAC event in November.

More information about the July 4 celebration at Lake Louise:

Schedule

• 4 p.m. – Vendors open
• 6:30 p.m. – Opening ceremonies at the Main Stage
• 7 p.m. – Tuxedo Junction performs
• 10 p.m. – Fireworks

Parking and Shuttle Buses
A free shuttle bus service will be available from 3 p.m. until 12:15 a.m. from the Rose’s, Balcrank Industries, OTS, Sample Group, and Conrad Industries parking lots. 3 buses will be running during this time and the town is encouraging everyone to use them. Vendor parking will be available above the old community center, and handicapped parking will be available at the main parking lot at Lake Louise. The road circling the lake will be closed during the festivities, and traffic on both Lakeshore Drive and Highland Streets coming into/out of the Lake Louise area will be one-way only from 2 p.m.-midnight.

Map
The town has a map showing the stage, rest rooms, road closures, and vendor and parking locations at Lake Louise during the celebration. You can pick up a copy at the Town Hall, or you can download it here.

The Maranatha Baptist Church Chapter of the Carolina Faith Riders present “Bike Night” Thursday, May 22 at Rodney’s Automotive starting at 6:30 p.m.  All bikes are welcome.  There will be $5 food plates, music, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle during the event.  Rodney’s Automotive is located at 37 North Main Street.

If you haven’t heard of the Carolina Faith Riders, here’s a short excerpt about them from their website:

Carolina Faith Riders is a motorcyclist ministry designed to be intentionally evangelistic and to give churches an additional resource to equip and engage members to boldly share their faith with those in their community who are lost, unchurched and searching for a place of significance of which they can be a part. It is our prayer that this ministry will excite members to use their love of motorcycles as a tool to become a Great Commandment Christian, fulfill the Great Commission and glorify God.

Weaverville’s Arbor Day Celebration takes place beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at Lake Louise Park (or, if it’s raining, at the Weaverville Municipal Building at 30 South Main Street). Festivities include:

• Presentation of the 18th Tree City USA Award to the Town of Weaverville
• Presentation of Mayor’s Community Service Award, Tree Board Community Stewardship Award and Beautification Awards
• Recognition of Tree Board Poetry and Poster Contest Winners
• Tree Planting Ceremony in honor of Robin Smathers
• Special Entertainment provided by Robin Smathers and Weaverville Elementary School Students and North Buncombe Middle School Jazz Band under the direction of Mary Jo Sparrow

Everyone is invited to attend.

MVP Barber & Style Shop will play host to the Clemson Tiger Mascot Monday, May 5 from 6-7 p.m. They’ll also be giving away prizes, including Clemson gear and hair products. Here’s the details:

Attention All Clemson fans:
Bring your camera and take a picture of you and your favorite team mascot. The Tiger will be signing autographs, so bring your Clemson gear and get it signed! Prizes will be given away. Come by and register to win an autographed football, Clemson gear, hair products and more. MVP Barber & Style Shop is located at 1 1/2 Merrimon Avenue. For more information call 658-9687.

There will be a Benefit Concert for MPAC (Multi Purpose Athletic Complex) 8 p.m.-Midnight on Friday, May 23 at The Orange Peel. The concert features 6 bands, food, drinks and a silent auction. Tickets are $25 and are available to purchase online at www.theorangepeel.net. More information about MPAC is available at www.ncmaysa.com.

I’m not certain if this is a permanent move, but this year the town’s July 4th Festival will be held at Lake Louise instead of its usual spot along Main Street. The move is happening due to concerns about the number of people confined to the small space along Main Street, especially in case of emergency. There is a plan to have some kind of shuttle service since parking is limited, so I’ll update with those details and more once they’re available.

North Point Baptist Church is sponsoring a community event on Saturday, May 3 called Springfest ‘08. It will be a fun-filled day for the entire family, running 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 119 Monticello Road. Here are a few of the things which will be going on….

FOR KIDS
Inflatables, clowns, balloons, face painting, pony rides, hay ride plus much more.

ENTERTAINMENT
The Kingsmen Quartet, Bailey Mountain Cloggers plus many more local and regional entertainers.

FOOD
BBQ plates, burgers, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn and a few other snacks.

COMMUNITY
The Weaverville Police Dept will be on hand for car seat safety checks and kid fingerprinting. The Weaverville Fire Dept will share their Fire House Safety demo. Craft corner with items from local artists.

The artist lineup for the Spring 2008 Weaverville Art Safari is available on their website, www.weavervilleartsafari.com.  Names, images, contact information, and website information is available on the Artist page.  The Spring Tour Brochure and Guide Map is also available to download from the Tour page.

This Spring there are 46 artists participating in the free self-guided tour, which takes place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27. 

Blue Mountain Pizza celebrates their fourth year of business with an Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, March 4. The celebration will feature an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet from 5-9 p.m. for only $10, including soda or tea, as well as music and Anniversary surprises.  This event always draws a large crowd, so get there early if you can.

The Beech Community Center invites everyone to its annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 22.  This year’s party will be held at the Reems Creek Fire Department from 5-7 p.m., where kids can enjoy storytime and a visit with Santa.   The Reems Creek Fire Department is located at 730 Reems Creek Road.

Here’s another scheduled Weaverville Santa Stop:  the Exxon Station on Reems Creek Road.  He’ll be there 1-3 p.m. on  Saturday, December 15. Snacks will be provided.

Videos from the 2007 Weaverville Christmas Parade. Due to time restraints with YouTube, it’s been broken up into three segments:

Part I

Part II

Part II

All videos are courtesy of Weaverville News.  The Parade video will also be broadcast this month on URTV (Channel 20):

• Thursday, December 13 at 3 p.m.
• Saturday, December 15 at 9:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Check the URTV website for the current schedule and additional viewing times.

Also, Darcy at Preservation Hall took photos of the Parade, and has shared some in the What’s New section of their website.  The Weaverville Tribune has lots of pictures in this week’s issue as well.  I, unfortunately, forgot my camera that day.

Thanks to all the parade participants, and thanks to M7 Realty for the t-shirt!

Looking for another chance to see Santa in Weaverville?  He will be making a stop at Blue Mountain Pizza on Sunday, December 16, from 3-6 p.m. for visiting and picture-taking.  Blue Mountain is located at 55 North Main Street.

The fourth annual Candlelight Christmas Stroll takes place 6-9 p.m. on Friday, December 7.  Over 500 luminaries will light up Main Street, and business owners will keep their stores open for late-night Christmas shopping.  The night will also feature local choirs and performers, horse and buggy rides, and of course an appearance by Santa.  Raffle tickets will also be on sale during the night, with the drawing scheduled for 9 p.m.  For more information, visit www.visitweaverville.com/candlelight.

The annual Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 1, 2007, beginning at 1 p.m. at North Buncombe Middle School.   Roads from North Buncombe School Road to Main Street to Banks Town Road will be closed over the course of the parade, from 1 p.m. until approximately 3 p.m.  Over 85 entries will be in the parade.

If you are participating, you should line up and sign in at the command post located on the first road to the left of the Dula Springs Road entrance to North Buncombe High School at 11 a.m.