Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival (LAAFF)

Three blocks of Lexington Avenue become the canvas and stage for Asheville’s eclectic arts and music community. The LAAFF rolling theater bus hosts acts throughout the day, the popular bicycle jousting tournament returns this year, and a diverse collection of musicians will perform on three stages. All the fun benefits Arts2People, an arts outreach nonprofit.

Sunday 5 September 2010
North Lexington Avenue
11 am -9 pm, free
828.252.4614

Check out LAAFF, another great Asheville event >

Flower Carpet at the Biltmore through 12 September

Discover the dramatic, one-of-a-kind Flower Carpet on the South Terrace of Biltmore House. This year’s stained-glass design was created with more than 155,000 colorful plants.

Click for photos and a time release film of the flower carpet installation >

10,000 Hits and Counting!

Asheville Loft Downtown has passed the 10,000 mark on unique visitors!

With a little help from Sue LaChapelle of LaChapelle Design, we started this site nearly two years ago to promote long-term rental of our beautiful Asheville home, and have been so pleased with the activity and response we have received. First-time or long-time reader, we hope you enjoy your visit to our web site. Get to Asheville soon and have a great time.

Biltmore Park Town Square: planned community in a green wrapper

If you’d asked around downtown Asheville a year ago what people thought about Biltmore Park Town Square, chances are you’d have heard at least one mention of the popular Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium 15 movie theater. But the massive planned community’s idyllic “small town” design might also have sparked references to The Stepford Wives or The Truman Show.

Since then, however, more and more individuals and businesses have moved into the south Asheville development’s roughly 1 million square feet of residential, commercial and retail space. And today, first-time visitors are likely to be surprised not only by the size and scope of the self-contained “town” that has seemingly emerged from nowhere, but by its built-in livability.

Mountain Xpress feature article on Biltmore Park Town Square >

Take the slow road: Blue Ridge Parkway

WASHINGTON POST – By Nancy Trejos, Sunday, July 4, 2010

Ask Ellen Smith where she lives, and she won’t name a town or city. “Milepost 246,” she’ll say. That’s because her home has been on the Blue Ridge Parkway since its earliest beginnings: “They were pouring gravel when I moved here when I was 6,” she says. And on the parkway, they speak in mileposts. I met Ellen, for instance, at Bluffs Lodge and Restaurant (Milepost 241), between my stops at Brinegar Cabin (Milepost 238) and Northwest Trading Post (Milepost 259). That’s about as specific about location as people tend to get.

Read the rest of this great story about Asheville’s Blue Ridge Parkway >

HandMade in America Expo 25-26 June

For years, Asheville-based HandMade in America has introduced countless people to the unique and wonderous creations of our region’s talented artisans. This month, on June 25th and 26th, the organization is taking that experience one step closer to your living space with The Western North Carolina Craft, Architecture & Design Expo—bringing together artists, designers, and architects, who can make your house a haven for handcrafted beauty.

Visit the North Carolina Arboretum to see for yourself >

World’s largest timed film competition — in Asheville!

The 48-hour film project returns to Asheville June 18-20 and there are just a few spots left. Filmmakers will have 48 hours to write, produce, and edit their short films. All finished films will be screened up on the big screen and judged by a panel of local film professionals for different awards, including the Best 48 Hour Film of Asheville!

To register your team or for more information, click here >

Asheville Wine & Food Festival 13-15 August

In the months leading up to the WNC magazine Asheville Wine & Food Festival, the sponsors will host a series of cooking competitions, where Western North Carolina’s top professional chefs will show off their talents and let you be the judge.

The series will feature chefs from across North Carolina’s 17 westernmost counties, focused on local foods and products. Starting in May, the public will get a taste of the action during ticketed dinner events. Similar to Food Network’s Iron Chef, a mystery ingredient will be incorporated into each competitor’s dishes.

Here’s a link to the festival and events preceding it >

Grand new downtown eatery — Pack’s Tavern

Pack’s Tavern offers outstanding service, the best drinks in town, and a large eclectic menu of over 60 items; everything from signature salads to hand-pattied burgers, from wonderful appetizers to fresh cut steaks and seafood in a friendly, hospitable atmosphere. All to be enjoyed in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Asheville’s newly renovated Pack Square Park.

Housed in a restored 1907 building on Pack Square >

Asheville’s Botanical Gardens 50th birthday

For 50 years, the Botanical Gardens at Asheville have been an oasis in the city, which showcases more than 600 plants native to Southern Appalachia. The nonprofit group is celebrating its longevity, as well as the support of its members. Tour the gardens, enjoy live music and refreshments, and bid on silent auction items, including binoculars from REI and fresh flowers from Your Vase or Mine. Proceeds benefit the gardens and nature programs.

Stop by to get a good dose of green >