Asheville Welcomes November with Resilience and Holiday Spirit
As November rolls in, the scenic city of Asheville finds itself dancing between delightful holiday traditions and the ongoing recovery efforts from the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene. While there is a bittersweet note felt by many this season, there’s plenty of warmth and hope to share!
No Gingerbread Houses This Year
Sadly, for the first time in 32 years, the annual National Gingerbread House Competition hosted by the iconic Grove Park Inn has been canceled due to the hotel’s closure. But don’t fret just yet! The hotel is whipping up a virtual event called “The 12 Days of Gingerbread”, starting on December 1. This initiative will showcase some festive gingerbread houses on their Facebook and Instagram pages, bringing some sweet cheer to the holiday season.
Christmas at Biltmore is Back!
On a brighter note, Christmas at Biltmore is set to kick off on November 2. This marks the estate’s first holiday season reopening after being affected by the hurricane. The Biltmore House will be lavishly decked out for the holidays, and guests can enjoy the enchanting ambiance as the house glows by candlelight — just like it did back in 1895 when it first opened its doors!
The excitement builds each year as staff prepare to bring in a stunning, towering Fraser fir for the banquet hall. Last year’s tree reached an impressive height of 35 feet, making it quite the sight to behold. As tradition has it, this enormous tree will be carried into the house come November 1, creating a buzz of holiday joy among visitors and staff alike!
Lights and Nature Shine Brightly
The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is back in business after its recent closure, and it is gearing up for its annual Winter Lights exhibit, set to begin on November 15. This walk-through experience is magical, captivating both children and adults with its stunning light displays.
A Christmas Tree for the Nation
In more exciting holiday news, a lovely 20-foot Fraser fir named Tremendous has been selected as the 2024 White House Christmas tree! This beautiful tree hails from Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, Avery County, which recently won the National Christmas Tree Contest. Local farmers hope that this notable selection reflects the resilience of their community, recovering from the hurricane’s aftermath.
Community Efforts and Support
As the community comes together to heal, the North Fork Reservoir has also been making headlines. A second round of chemical treatment began recently to ensure safe drinking water for Asheville and surrounding areas, although residents still await a timeline for when their potable water supply will be completely restored.
In other community endeavors, Lake Junaluska has seen incredible volunteer turnout for cleanup efforts, where 40 volunteers collected an astounding 7,000 pounds of debris, including old tires and propane tanks. The Lake Junaluska cleanup is set to continue with plans to tackle Lake Logan next weekend.
Making a Difference
Music lovers came together at the recent “Concert for Carolina” at Bank of America Stadium, donating a whopping 6,245 pounds of canned food to those affected by the hurricane. That’s over three tons of food creating a real difference in Western North Carolina!
Meanwhile, a quarter of North Carolina’s breweries are currently in FEMA-designated disaster areas, still trying to bounce back from the disaster. Asheville’s DSSOLVR brewery is amongst those creatively navigating the water crisis by selling limited batches of beer and even collaborating on an IPA to support affected brewers.
Looking Ahead
As November unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of hope and resilience in our community. With parts of the mountains still reeling from the disaster, important areas like Asheville and Black Mountain are back on the map and ready for visitors. For tourists looking to explore, a little patience and planning are recommended as not all areas have fully reopened.
Local organizations have also stepped up, providing essential supplies, food, and water to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Community spirit shines through as groups continue to mobilize in support of their neighbors.
As we embrace the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season, let’s remember that together, we can uplift each other and celebrate the light that continues to shine through the challenges we face.
