Growing a community at the 34th Annual Asheville Herb Festival
For decades, this annual festival has celebrated the farmers, gardeners, and growers who call Western North Carolina home. The Asheville Herb Festival is set to attract more than 25,000 attendees over its three-day run from April 26 to April 28 this year. What started as a small gathering of herb growers at the farmers market in 1990 has now blossomed into a vibrant celebration of herbs and plants.
Roots of Success
The festival’s longevity and success can be attributed to the growing interest in natural foods and holistic medicine in the 90s, as well as Asheville’s reputation as a foodie town. With the transformation of tobacco farms into vegetable and herb farms in North Carolina, the festival found fertile ground to flourish.
Nurturing Community
One of the festival’s key aspects is the sense of community it fosters among local farmers, growers, and makers. Board member Danni Speight, who is involved in Bluff Mountain Nursery, emphasizes the unique camaraderie at the festival, where everyone shares a passion for growing and nurturing plants. This shared mentality of promoting sustainable and healthy living creates a special atmosphere at the event.
Festival President Darsey Driver echoes this sentiment, highlighting the joy and sense of unity that the festival brings. From inspiring children to start their own gardens to connecting seasoned gardeners, the event serves as a hub for plant enthusiasts of all ages.
New Developments
This year, the festival will be held at the WNC Agricultural Center’s Davis Event Center, featuring separate education rooms for workshops on topics like medicinal mushroom cultivation and herbal alchemy. Attendees can also take advantage of a plant-holding area to securely store their purchases while exploring the festival. With a diverse lineup of over 70 vendors offering an array of herb-related products, the event promises to be a hub of plant-based knowledge and creativity.
Additionally, the festival will host master gardeners sharing their expertise and introduce new food and ice cream trucks to enhance the culinary experience. The range of offerings at the festival ensures that attendees will have the opportunity to discover new herbs, plants, and products to enrich their gardening and wellness practices.
Community Spirit
As the 34th Annual Asheville Herb Festival approaches, the anticipation is high among herb enthusiasts and growers. The festival’s ability to bring together a diverse community of like-minded individuals underscores its importance as a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering connections, and celebrating the beauty of nature’s bounty.
