BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) — The community of Buncombe County will commemorate the anniversary of Hurricane Helene on September 27 with county-wide events. These events aim to reflect on the losses endured, the unity fostered, and the lessons learned from the storm.
The anniversary events will provide an opportunity for the community to pause and remember the past year, grieving all that was lost and honoring the bonds forged by the storm. The events will focus on stories of neighbors who stood together, lives that were forever changed and the lessons carried forward.
Come Hell or High Water Project
Through a combination of crowdsourced materials, scientific data, media coverage, and historical photos, this Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) community memory project is building a comprehensive digital archive of Tropical Storm Helene’s impact. BCSC will be bringing the Come Hell or High Water Project to multiple one-year commemorative events and will be open by appointment only from Monday, September 22 through Saturday, September 27. Members of the public are encouraged to upload photos, videos, written testimonies, and audio files here and find an overview of the project here.
Town of Woodfin Community Gathering
Thursday, September 18, 4-6 p.m.
Swannanoa Community Altar
Saturday, September 20-Monday, September 29Swannanoa Fire Department, 103 South Avenue, SwannanoaCommunity members are invited to bring any items they wish to contribute and place them around the flagpole.
Film Screening: “Swannanoan Silt”
Saturday, September 20, 3-4 p.m.Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street, AshevilleBuncombe County Special Collections will host a screening of two film by local filmmakers, “The Swannanoa River” by Drew Erin Adams and “Swannanoan Silt” by Isaac King and Tristan Turner, which is presented as part of the Carolina Record Shop and the community memory project Come Hell or High Water, documenting the historic impact of Helene on Western North Carolina. Find more information here.
A Day of Community and Remembrance with Resources for Resilience
Tuesday, September 23, 5-7 p.m.Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Avenue, SwannanoaThe event will offer practical tools for managing stress and supporting those around you through hard times. Registration is required and closes at 4:30 p.m. on September 23. Find more information and register here.
Post-Helene Symposium
Wednesday, September 24-Friday, September 26UNC Asheville, 1 University Heights, AshevilleThe campus-wide event will focus on “Remembering, Rebuilding, and Reimagining,” bringing together UNC Asheville faculty and Buncombe County residents to share stories, histories, science, impact studies, and more. The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Find more information and register here.
Heroes of Helene
Thursday, September 25, 4-7 p.m.Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, AshevillePresented by the Asheville-Buncombe Chamber of Commerce, Explore Asheville, and Highland Brewing, in partnership with Buncombe County and the City of Asheville, this ceremony will honor the responders, healthcare professionals, and line workers who served during the storm. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Find more information and register here.
Glen Bridge River Park River Blessing
Friday, September 26-Sunday, September 28Glen Bridge River Park, 77 Pinner Road, ArdenAnyone is welcome to offer a blessing and toss flowers into the French Broad River at the time that is most convenient for them while supplies last. Flowers and example blessings will be provided at the river access point.
Swannanoa Community Art Show
Saturday, September 27-Sunday, September 28216 Whitson Ave., SwannanoaA group of artists living in and around the Swannanoa area gathered and organized to create multiple art responses to the disaster, and a show of their work will debut at the former church turned community center on Whitson Avenue. Hours on Saturday will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday will be noon-5 p.m.
Primal Scream Club
Friday, September 26, 9-9:30 p.m.Craven Street Bridge, 192 Riverside Drive, AshevilleThe West Asheville Library team invites community members to gather and let it all out. The meeting will consist of three of the loudest screams you can muster – before you go about your day. Find more information here.
Still Strong – Fairview United
Saturday, September 27, 9:27 a.m. – 4 p.m.Fairview Community Center, 1357 Charlotte Highway, FairviewJoin FairviewStrong.org and The Garren Creek Foundation for the Walk to Remember, a day of remembrance and creative resilience, and a vibrant market celebrating our local businesses. Find more information here.
Swannanoa River Blessing and Beacon Village Gatherings
Saturday, September 27Various locationsAt 10 a.m., the Swannanoa community will gather to walk from the main station of the Swannanoa Fire Department in Beacon Village to the Whitson Avenue Bridge for a river blessing and song. Blunt Pretzels (120 Alexander Pl., Swannanoa) will offer a free community meal beginning at 11 a.m., and Short Sleeves Coffee (222 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa) will host a free kids’ art program in coordination with Asheville Creative Arts at 1 p.m.
Note: The Whitson Avenue bridge will be closed to traffic for a short time during the walk.
Reunion Concert
Saturday, September 27Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood Street, AshevilleSwannanoa-based nonprofit The Blessing Project will host an evening of music, reflection, and hope. Find more information here.
Community Tree Giveaway
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Black Mountain Town Hall, 160 Midland Avenue, Black MountainTown of Black Mountain’s event will honor the community’s resilience, commemorate the progress made in recovery, and take tangible steps to restore the tree canopy lost during the storm. At least 200 free native trees will be distributed to Town residents, complete with planting and care instructions to ensure long-term growth. Other event highlights include a special program with Town elected officials and a community reflection corner of interactive activities where residents can share stories and memories over the past year.
Helene One Year Later: Community Remembrance & Resilience Day
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, AshevilleThroughout the day, the library will host a series of events that are centered on remembering the year since Helene and building resilience and community for the future. Find the full schedule here.
Celebrate Resiliency & Recovery in Weaverville
Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Lake Louise Park, 122 Lakeshore Drive, WeavervilleThe Town of Weaverville will host a celebration of resiliency, rebirth, and gratitude with remarks from Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons, Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards, and Dry Ridge Historian Judy Craggs. Find more information here.
Climate Change and Social Justice in the Wake of Helene
Saturday, September 27, 3 p.m.Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road, Black MountainThis free forum will focus on climate change, its role in intensifying storms, and the storm’s impact on resources, property, and the people who face them head on. Rev. Dr. Patricia Tull and Rev. Rebecca Barnes, both of whom are leaders in the environmental and justice ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will speak, and Dr. Mallory McDuff, Warren Wilson College professor and author, will moderate the discussion. Find more information and register here.
Biltmore Forest Commemoration
Saturday, September 27, 4-6 p.m.Biltmore Forest Town Hall, 355 Vanderbilt Road, AshevilleTown residents are invited to commemorate the anniversary of Helene alongside neighbors and staff. The event will include a photo slideshow and story collection. Find more information and RSVP here.
Bee Tree Candlelight Vigil
Saturday, September 27, 6:30 p.m.Bee Tree Fire Station, 510 Bee Tree Road, SwannanoaThe Swannanoa Fire Department will host a candlelight vigil to remember the 43 lives lost in Buncombe County and honor the community’s resilience.
Anniversary Concert
Saturday, September 27, 7 p.m.First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, AshevilleFirst Baptist Church of Asheville Adult Choir will be joined by the Asheville Symphony and the All Souls Cathedral Choir for a free community concert to celebrate the resilience of the region. At 6 p.m., a free barbecue meal will be served in the sanctuary parking. The concert will feature Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living.
Historic Preservation in the Wake of Helene
Tuesday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, AshevilleThe Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe (PSABC) and the Friends of East Asheville Library will present this talk from Jessie Landl, executive director of PSABC, and Josi Ward, president of Foreground Consulting. Find more information here.
Stronger Than the Storm
Thursday, October 2, 5:30 p.m.Asheville Yards, 75 Coxe Avenue, AshevilleMountainTrue has rolled its annual member gathering, volunteer appreciation, and community celebration into one to recognize the milestone, the people, the progress, and the power of community. The event will include live music, food, door prizes, resources, and more. MountainTrue supporters receive free entry, and entry is $10 for the general public. Find more information here.
Rising Above Helene, Film Documentary Screening
Wednesday, Oct. 8, Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Movie starts at 6 p.m.East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, AshevilleJoin 100Strong Productions filmmakers for a screening of the documentary Rising Above Helene. The film is about the strength of people and community. Through heartfelt interviews, sweeping visuals, and on-the-ground storytelling, the film captures the quiet determination of neighbors who came together to rebuild what was broken. Find more information here…