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Asheville's Bele Chere Outdoor Festival

Published by Spencer Spellman, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

Tucked deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is the eclectic city of Asheville, host to the annual Bele Chere Outdoor Festival. Though small in size, Asheville makes up with a diverse culture that draws comparisons to the likes of New York City and San Francisco. While it offers unique cultural experiences anytime of the year, there's no better time to experience Asheville than in July when it hosts the annual Bele Chere Festival.

Surrounded by rolling hills in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it may be surprising to many to find such a diverse metro situated in a valley in western North Carolina. Live music, tapas bars, wine lounges, microbreweries and nightclubs abound in Asheville, making it one of the most vibrant cities in North Carolina. All of these things are put on proud display when the Bele Chere Outdoor Festival comes around in late July, as it features the best beer and wine, local food, art and music.

First beginning in the 1970s, Asheville's Bele Chere Festival has grown to become the largest free festival in the southeastern United States. Taking place during the last weekend in July, the Ashville Bele Chere can draw as many as half a million people. To accommodate this Asheville festival, the downtown shuts down as stages are constructed and local food, drink, and art vendors set up tents and tables to display their stuff.

While there may be an admission price to some of the larger music acts, admission into the Bele Chere Festival is free. This includes access to blocks of merchants and most music performances. Most of the live music features local and regional musicians, and each festival also includes a few different, larger acts. Past bands have included Blues Traveler, Train, Gin Blossoms, and Marty Stuart, just to name a few.

Perhaps the best part of Bele Chere is all the local offerings, from the artwork on display to local breweries and restaurants featuring fresh food and handcrafted beer. Asheville is one of the most artistic cities on the east coast, and this comes out during the three-day festival, which features many local artists that were hand selected, but also many of the best artists from around the country. Some of the artworks that are on display include woodwork, ceramics, photography, paintings and metalwork.

There are a couple of food and drink areas of Bele Chere which are promoted by local restaurants and breweries. Asheville features a dining scene that focuses on using fresh, local ingredients that go beyond common American Continental dishes. With so many different local breweries, guests can enjoy sampling many of the area microbrews.

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When to Go to Bele Chere Festival

The Bele Chere Outdoor Festival takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the last weekend of July. Saturday is usually the busiest day, making Friday evening and Sunday afternoon the best time to avoid some of the larger crowds. Check the weather before heading out, to see if afternoon thunderstorms are expected.

Odds n' Ends

Since it's the summer, you'll want to wear short sleeves, but most importantly, make sure to take and wear sunscreen. Despite being in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the sun can be very warm during a July summer afternoon. This Ashville Festival is free, but if you want to get in to see some of the larger musical acts, then you'll have to purchase tickets.

Places to Eat

Zambra
Zambra is proof of the unique culture of Asheville. Part wine lounge, part tapas bar and restaurant, Zambra features an eclectic atmosphere with delicious food that hails from Spain and North Africa.

More Experiences Nearby

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore Estate
Tucked away in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville is a hidden gem of the east coast. One of the most culturally diverse, and yet scenic cities in the south, it's a cross between the culture of New York City and the scenery of Denver. Nonetheless, despite its location in the deep south, Asheville marches to its own beat. While it has much of the ambiance of a large metro, Asheville maintains a cozy mountain-town charm. The main attraction of Asheville is the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest, privately-owned mansion in the U.S. Pair this with the ...3 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Backroads of North Carolina: Your Guide to Great Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails
Frommer's The Carolinas and Georgia

Elsewhere on the Web

Ashville Bele Chere - BeleChereFestival.com

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