Happy Friday, 828!

Summer is in full swing across the mountains, and Asheville has plenty to keep on your radar — from big downtown events and local food finds to recovery funding, outdoor updates, and community decisions that could shape what comes next.

In today’s edition, we’re tracking useful local news, weekend ideas, Father’s Day plans, fresh event updates, and stories from Asheville, Buncombe County, Biltmore Village, West Asheville, and the wider Western North Carolina community.

New to the area? We’re glad you’re here.

Garren Creek Landslide Mitigation Work Moves Forward

Buncombe County is taking another step toward addressing landslide risks in the Garren Creek community, one of the areas heavily damaged by Helene.

County Commissioners approved a $1,826,800 design and engineering contract with ECS Southeast LLC to examine potential landslide hazard mitigation options for the area. The work will focus on studying conditions, evaluating risks, and identifying possible ways to reduce future landslide hazards.

The project is especially important for residents in and around Garren Creek, where Helene caused widespread damage and raised long-term concerns about slope stability, access, safety, and recovery planning.

The contract does not mean construction will begin immediately. Instead, this phase is about technical review and engineering work: understanding the landscape, identifying problem areas, and helping determine what mitigation options may be realistic, effective, and eligible for future funding.

The work will be paid for with FEMA Public Assistance and N.C. Emergency Management funding, meaning local recovery efforts are being supported through state and federal disaster-response resources.

For residents, the main takeaway is that Buncombe County is moving from immediate storm response toward longer-term resilience planning in Garren Creek. Landslide mitigation can be complex, but this engineering step is a necessary part of deciding how best to protect people, property, roads, and infrastructure in vulnerable mountain areas.

Local takeaway: Buncombe County has approved engineering work to study landslide hazard mitigation options in Garren Creek, with the goal of identifying safer, more resilient recovery solutions after Helene.

Asheville small business owners still recovering from Helene have a grant opportunity to keep on their radar.

The Asheville Recovers Together Small Business Grant Fund is now accepting applications, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 for eligible businesses impacted by the storm

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The application window closes July 14 at noon, so local business owners should review eligibility requirements, gather needed documents, and apply before the deadline.

This is a good one to share with restaurant owners, makers, artists, retailers, service businesses, and neighborhood shops still working through recovery.

Buncombe County Shares Summer Heat Safety Reminder

Buncombe County is reminding residents to take summer heat seriously after issuing a Heat Health Alert for June 18.

While that specific alert date has passed, the guidance remains useful throughout the season, especially as Western North Carolina moves into hotter summer days.

High heat can be especially dangerous for older adults, outdoor workers, children, people without reliable air conditioning, pregnant people, people taking certain medications, and pets. Even short periods of extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke if people are not able to cool down, drink enough water, or get out of direct sun.

For residents, the practical advice is simple: drink water, slow down, and avoid the hottest parts of the day when possible. Outdoor work, errands, yard projects, and exercise are safest in the morning or evening, when temperatures are lower.

Air-conditioned spaces can also make a major difference. Residents who do not have reliable cooling at home may want to spend time in public places such as libraries, community spaces, stores, or other cooled indoor locations during peak heat.

Buncombe County also emphasized one of the most important summer safety rules: never leave children or pets in parked cars. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise quickly, even when it does not feel dangerously hot outside.

Pet owners should watch for hot pavement, provide extra water, and limit walks during the hottest hours. Outdoor workers and caregivers should also check in on people who may be more vulnerable, including neighbors who live alone or do not have air conditioning.

Local takeaway: Summer heat can be more dangerous than it looks. Drink water, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, use air-conditioned spaces when needed, and check on kids, pets, older adults, and neighbors who may need extra support.

Father’s Day Weekend Ideas Around Asheville

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, and Asheville has a good mix of food, music, comedy, outdoor ideas, and downtown plans for anyone still building the day around Dad.

A strong brunch option is Father’s Day Brunch at Xico in downtown Asheville. The restaurant has a Sunday brunch planned from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at 175 Biltmore Ave., with brunch dishes and cocktails on the menu. It is an easy fit for families looking for a downtown meal before a walk, brewery stop, or afternoon activity.

For dads who like a little adventure, Adventure Center of Asheville is promoting a Father’s Day play-date option, with dads able to visit Treetops Park or KidZip free with paying family members on June 21 using the posted booking code. That one is best for active families looking for zipline, climbing, or outdoor fun close to town.

Comedy fans have a timely option, too. Explore Asheville’s weekend calendar lists RAD Comedy: Dad Jokes, Father’s Day Showcase at RAD Brewing on Sunday, June 21, at 7 p.m. It is a very on-theme pick for families with older kids, friend groups, or anyone who thinks Father’s Day should come with a few groan-worthy punchlines.

For a more laid-back plan, Explore Asheville’s Father’s Day guide recommends building the day around what Dad enjoys most, whether that means food, outdoor adventure, golf, or local beer. That makes Asheville especially easy to customize: brunch downtown, a Blue Ridge Parkway drive, a casual brewery stop, or an early dinner can all work depending on the weather and the crowd.

A simple Asheville-style Father’s Day itinerary could look like this: brunch at Xico, a short downtown stroll or gallery stop, an afternoon drive or outdoor activity, then a low-key evening with comedy or local food. Families heading out should check reservations, ticket availability, hours, and weather before making firm plans.

Local takeaway: Whether Dad wants brunch, ziplining, a brewery-side comedy show, or just an easy Sunday in the mountains, Asheville has several ways to make Father’s Day feel local and relaxed

More Asheville Events to Keep on Your Summer Calendar

Asheville’s summer calendar is still filling up with community events, arts outings, markets, music, and family-friendly activities. If you already covered Downtown After 5, Father’s Day plans, and the earlier June events, these are a few additional happenings worth keeping on readers’ radar.

Blue Ridge Pride 5K Fundraiser — Saturday, June 20
Blue Ridge Pride lists a Pride 5K Fundraiser at Carrier Park on Saturday, June 20, at 8 a.m. The event is framed around celebrating all bodies and abilities, making it a good community wellness item for runners, walkers, supporters, and Pride Month participants.

Wall Street Block Party & Gingko Market — Saturday, June 27
Downtown Asheville’s Wall Street is hosting a Block Party & Gingko Market on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The event celebrates the completion of a new large-scale mural by local artist Dayna Walton on the Wall Street steps, with a market and downtown community feel. This is a strong arts, shop-local, and downtown-stroll pick.

First Friday Art Walk — Friday, July 3
The Downtown Arts District First Friday Art Walk is back as a recurring monthly event from 5–8 p.m. on First Fridays. Since the June walk has passed, the next useful planning angle is July. It is a flexible evening option for locals who want to visit galleries, meet artists, browse studios, and pair the outing with dinner or drinks downtown.

Air Supply at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville — Thursday, July 9
Classic soft-rock fans can look ahead to Air Supply at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on Thursday, July 9. This is a bigger ticketed downtown event and a good fit for readers planning a concert night out.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands — July 16–19
One of the most Asheville-specific events on the upcoming calendar is the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, scheduled for July 16–19 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The fair highlights juried artists, handmade work, demonstrations, and the region’s deep craft tradition. It is a strong fit for locals, visitors, makers, collectors, and anyone who likes shopping regional art and Appalachian craft.

The local takeaway: Asheville’s next few weeks offer a little bit of everything — Pride Month community events, downtown art, local markets, classic concerts, and mountain craft. For readers who like to plan ahead, the Wall Street Block Party and Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands are probably the strongest “save this date” picks.

Biltmore Championship Asheville Tickets Are Now on Sale

Tickets are now available for the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville, bringing a PGA TOUR FedExCup Fall event to Western North Carolina later this year.

The tournament is scheduled for Sept. 17–20 at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, giving Asheville-area golf fans a chance to see PGA TOUR competition close to home. The event is expected to bring a full tournament experience to the region, with professional golf, fan activities, local food, craft beverages, and hospitality options.

For families, one of the most useful details is the youth admission policy: up to two children age 15 and younger can attend free with each ticketed adult. That makes the tournament a more accessible outing for parents, grandparents, and young golf fans who want to experience a professional event without the cost adding up quickly.

The Biltmore Championship is part of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Fall schedule, which gives players a chance to compete late in the season while communities host major sports and tourism events. For Asheville and Buncombe County, the tournament could also bring visitors, restaurant traffic, hotel stays, and attention to the region’s outdoor lifestyle.

Beyond the golf itself, organizers are highlighting a local experience, including regional food and craft beverage options. That gives the event a broader appeal for people who may not follow golf closely but enjoy a polished outdoor event with local flavor.

Residents interested in attending should review ticket options, parking details, bag policies, and daily schedules before making plans. As the tournament gets closer, more information is expected about player commitments, tee times, volunteer opportunities, and on-site fan experiences.

Local takeaway: The first Biltmore Championship Asheville is set for Sept. 17–20 at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, with tickets now on sale and free youth admission available for up to two children 15 and younger with each ticketed adult.

Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food Finds a New Home at Hi-Wire in Biltmore Village

A familiar Asheville food truck has a new place to serve its Cuban comfort food.

Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food, which operated in the River Arts District before Helene, is now parked at Hi-Wire Brewing in Biltmore Village, according to 828newsNOW’s Fork & Dagger review. For local food fans, that makes it a good “new-to-you” stop for Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, pork plates, and casual brewery-friendly eats.

The move is especially notable because so many Asheville-area food businesses had to rethink locations, routines, and customer access after Helene. Guajiro’s new setup at Hi-Wire gives diners another way to support a local business that has been part of the city’s shifting post-storm food scene.

For readers looking for an easy lunch, casual dinner, or brewery stop, Guajiro’s menu fits the moment: flavorful comfort food, quick-service energy, and dishes that work well for sharing or pairing with a beer. Cuban sandwiches and empanadas are natural crowd-pleasers, while pork plates give diners a heartier option.

The Biltmore Village location also gives the truck visibility in a well-known Asheville area that draws locals, visitors, brewery-goers, and nearby workers. It is a practical relocation for anyone who used to follow Guajiro in the River Arts District but has not yet caught up with where the truck landed.

As with any food truck, hours and availability can change, so diners should check Guajiro’s current social channels or Hi-Wire’s updates before heading out.

Local takeaway: Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food is now operating from Hi-Wire in Biltmore Village, giving Asheville diners another casual local food option to support while enjoying Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, pork plates, and brewery-side comfort food.

I-26 Connector Work Reaches Bridge and Ramp Foundation Stage

Work on Asheville’s long-planned I-26 Connector is showing another visible sign of progress.

NCDOT says crews have started bridge and ramp foundation work near I-240 and the Asheville Racquet Club area. This phase is part of the larger project to improve interstate connectivity through Asheville and create a more direct route linking I-26 south of the city with U.S. 19/23/70 north of Asheville.

For local drivers, the I-26 Connector has been one of the region’s most closely watched transportation projects for years. The project is designed to address long-standing traffic flow, interstate access, and congestion issues around one of Asheville’s busiest travel corridors.

Foundation work is an early but important construction step. Before bridges and ramps can rise above ground, crews need to prepare the support structures that will eventually carry traffic through the new interchange and roadway connections.

Residents may notice construction activity, equipment, lane shifts, or changing traffic patterns near the work zone as the project continues. Drivers should use caution, allow extra time, and watch for updates from NCDOT as construction advances.

The project is expected to unfold in phases, so this latest work is not a sign that major traffic changes are complete. Instead, it marks another step in a long-term infrastructure effort that will continue shaping travel through Asheville in the years ahead.

Local takeaway: I-26 Connector crews have begun bridge and ramp foundation work near I-240 and the Asheville Racquet Club area, marking another visible step forward on one of Asheville’s biggest transportation projects.

Quote Of The Day

"The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy." - Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

828 Local Facts Worth Knowing

Thanks for reading 828 Daily.

We’ll keep bringing you useful local updates from Asheville and surrounding areas — from weekend events and outdoor ideas to road reminders, new openings, community news, and the small details that make life here easier to navigate. 

Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you in the next edition