Around town this week, several events will be happening, led by an important meeting next week in preparation for an annual celebration on Christmas Day.
The Bounty of Bethlehem team is looking for more volunteers
The Bounty of Bethlehem team is hard at work preparing for its annual Christmas Day meal and the team needs more volunteers. The group is holding a meeting from 14-15 September 13 at the Salvation Army.
This marks the 39th year that Bounty of Bethlehem has been held, and the goal this year is to engage as many volunteer community leaders as possible, according to a press release.
For more information visit the Bounty of Bethlehem Facebook page or contact Annamarie Jakubielski at (828) 699-6996 or Leanne Christensen at (206) 280-9088.
The Asheville Off Road Series returns to Ride Kanuga
![Pisgah Forest's Neko Mulally gets some air during a past visit to Ride Kanuga. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/fed5ae202ef542b420595e4413b58562a7fd240c/c=0-165-2300-1459/local/-/media/2020/11/20/Hendersonville/ghows_gallery_ei-NC-200939976-4046b814.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The 10th annual Asheville Off Road Series returns Sept. 18 at Ride Kanuga in Hendersonville.
It consists of two main events: the Asheville Duathlon and Gravel Grinder Bike events. Both offer the opportunity to explore Western North Carolina’s trails, gravel roads and scenic paved roads via mountain biking, according to a press release from iDaph Events, which is hosting the event.
Originally designed and created by iDaph Events in 2013 at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, it started with just the duathlon (run/bike/run) event. Over the years it has developed and grown to meet the needs of local and regional runners and cyclists. With the move to Ride Kanuga last year, participants have gained the opportunity to mix it up and try new courses, new trails, gravel roads and a new location, the release said.
For more information and to register, go to iDaph.net.
‘Art in Bloom’ comes to the Gallery at Flat Rock
According to a press release, the Gallery at Flat Rock will present its seventh annual Art in Bloom beginning Friday, September 2.
The event will raise funds for the Aminga Youth and Sports Development Program, an annual summer education day camp in Cape Verde, which the Gallery at Flat Rock is supporting by sending two to three gallery artists a year for art education for high school students.
The exhibit and Labor Day weekend event will be unveiled at a special ticketed Preview Party on Friday, September 2 and will be available for public viewing on Saturday, September 3 and also on Sunday, September 4 September, both in the gallery and virtually, at galleryflatrock.com. Artists José Bayro C. and Robert Smith participated by teaching in the Aminga 2022 program in July, the release said.
“We are excited about our new art contact with Aminga and are proud to have this fun annual event that raises funds for their worthy programming,” Suzanne Camarata, owner of The Gallery at Flat Rock, said in the release. “Seeing the Art in Bloom exhibit unfold is a highlight of the year here at the gallery.”
Advanced reservations are required for the Art in Bloom preview party, which will take place from 5 to 8 pm on September 2. Tickets are $45 per person and are available at galleryflatrock.com or by calling the gallery at 828-698-7000. Art in Bloom 2022 will be open to the public from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4. An admission fee of $5 per person will include unlimited visits. To learn more about Aminga, visit aminga.org.
Transylvania County Library’s fall concert series concludes
The Transylvania County Library is hosting its free fall concert series, which will take place in the library’s amphitheater on Fridays in September. No concert will be held on September 9 due to the Mountain Song Festival. In case of rain, the concert will be moved indoors to the Rogow Community Room. The concerts will start at 19:00 and will continue until sunset.
The opening performance will be September 2, with Asheville-based Fwuit returning to the library stage. Navigating through a scheduling conflict, the band has arranged a unique and collaborative performance with Melissa Hyman and Ryan Furstenberg (The Moon and You), according to a press release.
The series will resume on September 16th with The Abbey Elmore Band from Spartanburg, SC, followed by Blake Ellege on September 23rd. It will wrap up on September 30 with Americana folk duo The Rough & Tumble.
All performances are made possible by funding from the Friends of the Transylvania County Library, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and supporting the programs and services of the Transylvania County Library. The Friends raise funds through memberships, donations, and through sales of used books at the Second Story Book Store and annual sales. To learn more, visit library.transylvaniacounty.org/fol.
The Fletcher Family Festival is set for September 24th
The Fletcher Family Festival will be held from 5-8pm on Saturday, September 24th at Bill Moore Community Park. According to a press release, there will be 18 vendors selling handicrafts, jewelry and food in field no. 5, starting at 5:00 p.m.
The children’s entertainment area will be in field no. 2 with face painting, inflatables and the Mills River Dental activity tent. A food truck alley will feature five food vendors. The evening concert will begin at 6:00 p.m., with the Irish bluegrass band, JIG JAM.
This is a free community family event presented by the Fletcher Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Fletcher.