About the Area

Asheville

Asheville North Carolina is one of the most cultural cities in the eastern United States.  Asheville boasts the Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn, a robust downtown and nightlife, a thriving arts community, and a regional fashion hub. 

Asheville is a short 30 minute drive from Wolf Laurel and Mountainside Townhomes and once there you can take part in a variety of cultural adventures.  In addition to a thriving small city, Asheville also boasts one of the top cardiac care hospitals in the country.  If health care access is a concern, Asheville is a short drive away and Mission Hospitals also deploys a helicopter (MAMA) for residents living in the Wolf Laurel area in case of emergency.

Weaverville

Weaverville North Carolina is between Wolf Laurel and Asheville and is about 10 - 15 minutes from Mountainside Townhomes.  Weaverville is a small town with a lot of character.  In Weaverville you will find delicious gourmet bakery and coffee shops, restaurants, outfitters, spas and salons, and big city shopping.  Weaverville hosts a farmers and artisans market where you can purchase arts, crafts, and organic locally-grown food and food products.

Mars Hill

Mars Hill is home to Mars Hill College.  Mars Hill College is a small, liberal arts college.  The town of Mars Hill has a great deal of small college town charm, along with all of the excitement and culture of a liberal arts community.  From pottery to oils, from fashion design to quilting-- you can get it all in Mars Hill.  You can also enjoy the variety of classic plays and musicals at SART in historic Owen Theatre.  The college often hosts wonderful musicians and talented speakers. Mars Hill College is also home to the talented Bailey Mountain Cloggers who put on shows throughout the year.

Madison County

Mars Hill and Wolf Laurel are located in Madison County North Carolina.  One thing you will enjoy about living in Madison County is its low tax rate and slow pace. Madison County offers a lot for the resident and visitor.  Madison County has a thriving Arts Council.  Below is a list of regularly occuring festivals and events:

Fall

Wolf Laurel Harvest Festival
Saturday of Labor Day weekend
Fine arts and crafts

Bascom Lamar Lunsford Music Festival
Mars Hill
Festival celebrates the work of Bascom Lamar Lunsford who preserved the traditional music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. [more]

Madison County Heritage Festival
1st Saturday in October - Mars Hill
Mars Hill and the campus of Mars Hill college come alive with livestock, lunch, baked goods, craft vendors, animal petting area, dancing exhibitions, local musicians and more.
Contact: Madison County Visitors Center
828.680.9031 [more]

Madison County Fair
October 7-10, 2009 Marshall
Madison County Fairgrounds
Contact: 828.689.4353

Spring

Trail Fest
Hot Springs - TRAIL FEST
April 24-25, 2009
Join us in our Appalachian Trail celebration.
www.trailfest.net or www.hotspringsnc.org

French Broad River Restival
Hot Springs
May 1-4, 2009
Riverfest is River Rodeo, music, entertainment, camping, and more. [more]

Madison Celebrates Arts Festival
Marshal
May 16, 2009
The streets of downtown Marshall serve as a showcase for the county's arts community. [more]

Bluff Mountain Music Festival
Hot Springs
June 13, 2009
A festival that features some of the regions best traditional
and bluegrass music. Music followed by an evening square dance. [more]

Summer

Mars Hill Music And More
July 19, 2009 - Mars Hill
Music, dance, and fun.
Sponsored by the Mars Hill Merchant's Assoc. [more]

Spring Creek Heritage Festival
July 12-20, 2009 - Spring Creek
Music, old-time games, crafts, craft demonstrations.

Hot Doggett 100 Cycling Tour
July 11, 2009 - Madison County
Madison County Rotary Club annual bike ride.
Ride throughout the county. Ride distances: 100 mile -
100 kilometers - Family fun ride [more]

Blackberry Festival
August 8, 2009
Ebbs Chapel School House
Blackberry jams, jellies, cakes, and live music [Contact]

Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre
June 3 - August 23, 2009
Professional theatre on campus of Mars Hill College.
828.689.1384 [more]

Regularly Occurring

Arts Council Events
click for more info

Traditional music and dance at The Depot
Each Friday at 7pm
Main Street, Marshall.  Free but donations are accepted.

Country Music and dance at the Walnut Volunteer Fire Department
Each Friday at 7pm
US 25/70 near Walnut.

Hot Springs Artisans Market. 
Each Saturday Afternoon
At the Yellow Teapot on Bridge Street, Hot Springs (weather permitting).  For information, call The Yellow Teapot at 622-9727.

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market. 
Each Saturday 8 am -1pm 
Next to Mars Hill College Cafeteria on Hwy 213.   (Closed from Dec til April).  For information, call Sandy Smith at 680-9890.