In the two years since Hurricane Helene, arts organizations have been doing important work, including giving people outlets for expression, offering community support, and building social connection. Across western North Carolina, emerging arts spaces are connecting a variety of local artists with customers while offering towns innovative and interactive activities for people of all ages and abilities.
Topics Related to Helene Recovery Stories
The NC Mountain State Fair offers guests incredible food, up-close encounters with a wide range of animals, a variety of exciting rides, and so much more. The ASAP farm tours give visitors the chance to keep the fun going as they taste local foods and explore the food system in new ways. Whether you want to experience livestock, flower farms, local artisans, or great mountain food, there’s something for everyone.
Fall festivals happening across North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains are opportunities for visitors and locals alike to celebrate local culture, grow connections, and explore the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. From apples and pottery to butterflies and woolly worms, find a list of community events and start planning your next unforgettable visit!
North Carolina mountain festivals offer live music, local food and craft beer, arts and crafts, and opportunities to learn about each community’s unique culture. From blackberries, bluegrass, and beer to white squirrels and salamanders, there is much to learn about and celebrate in western North Carolina. Find a list of festivals, and start planning your next visit!
Find events celebrating Independence Day happening all around western North Carolina. These local festivities offer live music, arts and crafts activities, food, fireworks, and more!
Community leaders have leaned into collaboration and perseverance to advance important recovery projects in Hot Springs. Learn about the partners who gathered in May to celebrate acquisition of new land for the town's wastewater treatment plant.
The Swannanoa community worked together to serve up information and resources to help their neighbors be better prepared for emergencies. Organizers hope others will follow their lead, hosting similar events like the upcoming "Swannnoa: Know Your Risks" event on May 30.
Read about the important work of our local government leaders, nonprofit organizations, the philanthropy community, long-term recovery groups, and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on western North Carolina Recovery - and learn more about Governor Stein’s plan to unlock the next phase of western North Carolina recovery.
Three simultaneous events held in Asheville, Winston-Salem, and Morehead City brought local and state leaders together to discuss resilient water systems, water infrastructure needs, and opportunities to invest in the water workforce. Find takeaways from the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum and links to shared resources.
The effort builds upon the resources available on the WNC Recovery website for individuals, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses by creating a space solely dedicated to local governments and their unique needs.