Bele Chere, the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast, will be held on July 25-27, 2008 in downtown Asheville.
At a Glance
Join the 350,000+ people that flock to downtown Asheville each year for three days of Bele Chere. Six stages provide performances by 80 local and national musical acts. Lots of food, great art and crafts, and many other activities make Bele Chere a fun event for all. Some of the best local and regional artisans showcase their best handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and clothing, along with photography and painting.
Arts Park will be located on Patton Ave in the Drhumor and Asheville Savings Bank Parking lots near Lexington Ave and will feature 60 premier artists. Other artists will also be scattered throughout the festival grounds. While you're at it, check out the eclectic mix of specialty shops, restaurants, and coffee shops that form the heart of downtown Asheville.
New for 2008: The festival’s main stage, Celebration Stage presented by U.S. Cellular, will move about a mile away to Memorial Stadium, behind McCormick Field. The Wailers and Travis Tritt will headline the newly created concert venue, with tickets going on-sale May 1 through Ticketmaster. Other entertainment announcements included Edwin McCain, Steve Azar, Third World, Cowboy Mouth, The Grascals, The Lee Boys, Original P, and Doyle Larson and Quicksilver.
Stay near downtown & walk! Small Bed & Breakfasts | Large Bed & Breakfasts | Book a hotel deal.
Schedule for Bele Chere 2008
Friday, July 25: Noon-11 pm
Saturday, July 26: 10 am-11 pm
Sunday, July 27: Noon-6 pm
Local Creativity at Arts Park
Bele Chere has been embracing artists from around the country since its inception many years ago. Numerous artists have had the privilege to display their talent at this renowned festival. An esteemed jury of their peers selected 45 world-class artists to exhibit at Arts Park. This year at Bele Chere’s Arts Park, nearly 30% of the artists work and live in this area. Some of those exhibiting their fine art this year are legendary jewelry maker Suzzane Evon, renowned photographer Donna Brown and phenomenal local painter Elizabeth McAfee. Arts Park is located in the Asheville Savings Bank and Drhumor Parking lots off of Patton Avenue in the heart of Bele Chere. Nestled off of the busiest street downtown during the festival, Arts Park provides some of the only shade trees to give you a chance to beat the July sunshine while enjoying the art and sculptures. Mediums represented in Arts Park include oil and acrylic paintings, pottery, photography, mixed media, metalwork, wood, jewelry and blown glass.
FAQs
Where exactly is Bele Chere?
In the central downtown business area, with Pack Square roughly at the center.
What does Bele Chere mean?
Bele Chere means “beautiful living” and comes from an ancient Scottish dialect.
How do I get there?
You have a couple of options. You can drive to the festival or you can ride the Bele Chere Shuttle. If you drive, be aware parking is at a premium during peak times, but all the parking decks in the downtown area are open for business. The two shuttle routes - one from the east and one from the west - run approximately every 20 minutes and the cost is $3 roundtrip.
Where can I park?
City Parking Decks: Civic Center, Rankin Avenue, Wall Street, and BB&T. Several surface lots will also be open; a special events parking fee will apply in most cases. Free handicapped parking will be available at any metered parking space outside the festival boundaries.
Where can I catch the shuttle?
To avoid traffic and parking problems, festival-goers are encouraged to take the festival shuttles.
Each day, service begins one hour before the festival starts and runs until one hour past regular festival hours. Shuttles run approximately every 20 minutes. Cost: $3.00. Roundtrip The east shuttle will run from the back parking lot of the Asheville Mall. The Asheville Mall is located on Tunnel Road east of downtown. The west shuttle will run from the K-mart Plaza shopping center on Patton Ave.
What if I need help?
The Information Booths will be located in Pack Square, at Pritchard Park, and at the intersection of College and Spruce. Also, look for our roving info-tendants presented by Wachovia. They’ll be on street corners and in other high traffic areas, wearing official Bele Chere shirts. The First Aid tents will be available at Pritchard Park and in the children’s area located in City-County Plaza.
Where can I get some extra cash?
ATMs are located at the following downtown locations:
Asheville Savings Bank - Patton Avenue at Arts Park
Bank of America - 162 College Street & 68 Patton Avenue
BB&T - 1 West Pack Square
First Citizens Bank - 108 Patton Avenue
Premier Credit Union - Haywood Street at the Civic Center
Wachovia - 1 Haywood Street
Can I buy beer at Bele Chere?
Yes, but you must have a wristband to carry alcohol on the streets during Bele Chere. Selected area merchants will also sell wristbands. Be prepared to show your picture ID when buying alcohol as the wristband itself is not proof of age. Wristband colors will change every day.
NOTE: Consumption and purchase of alcoholic beverages on streets prohibited after 10:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday. SUNDAY is ALCOHOL-FREE.
How do I get the wristband?
With a valid picture ID, wristbands can be purchased for $2 at booths located adjacent to beverage stations or from participating merchants. A wristband is not required to drink in Asheville’s downtown pubs - only while drinking on the streets.
Can I bring my own cooler of beer?
No, coolers are not allowed inside the festival area.
Where are the alcohol-free zones?
Bele Chere offers a family-oriented, alcohol-free zone located from College Street to Davidson to the Renaissance Parking Lot. This area is designated as the children’s area.
Can I bring my pet to the festival?
Sorry, pets are not allowed within the festival boundaries. We feel it’s safer for all the festivalgoers AND the pet.
How long has Bele Chere been around?
Bele Chere started in 1979 and was located on a whopping three blocks. It was the brainstorm of a handful of downtown Asheville merchants and business people with the vision of revitalizing our downtown business district, which was largely abandoned as retail businesses & residents moved to the suburbs. Now, downtown Asheville is home to restaurants, galleries, retail businesses, theatres, art exhibits, and a growing number of residents who call downtown “home.”
How many people attend Bele Chere?
Our most recent estimates are about 375,000 people over the three days of the festival.
See more on the Bele Chere Web site. |
