Brevard, North Carolina, has a lively little downtown. A stately courthouse sits on a square with a gazebo where community concerts are held. Brevard's downtown has 50 or so shops including antique malls, galleries, and the popular O.P. Taylor toy store and White Squirrel Shoppe (both on the square across from the stately courthouse). Don't miss the Red Wolf Gallery.
Brevard is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest. With 250 waterfalls, it's no wonder Transylvania County is known as the Land of Waterfalls. It's a great place for a lunch or dinner break from hiking at nearby Looking Glass Rock or the waterfalls of Dupont State Forest.
For a small mountain town, Brevard has more than its share of culture. It is home to the world-renowned Brevard Music Center (and its amazing summer music line-up) and the Paul Porter Center at Brevard College.
The Heart of Brevard sponsors annual festivals and concerts at the courthouse gazebo. There are summertime street dances and weekly, year-round, traditional music jam sessions.
If you adopt one of their protected white squirrels, you can get discounts at many of the shops. The white squirrels are a unique feature. They are not albinos because they have dark eyes, but are rather a rare breed that has flurished here since being "introduced" in 1951. The story goes that a pair of the squirrels were given to H. H. Mull, who gave them to his daughter. One escaped from its cage, so Mr. Mull let the other one out. And the rest is history.
Approximately 20,000 people go nuts in Downtown Brevard for the White Squirrel Festival on Memorial Day weekend each year! See plenty of arts and crafts, hear live music, eat plenty of local food and watch the Squirrel Box Derby.
For a charming small-town 4th of July Celebration, go to downtown Brevard. Included is 5K Firecracker Run, parade, classic car show and evening fireworks. During the day, downtown streets were closed to an overflowing crowd for the Fine Arts & Craft Showcase. The Courthouse Gazebo is center stage for day-long musical entertainment including the Brevard Brass Band, playing timeless American favorites.
Since Brevard is located in Transylvania County, where else is better to honor Halloween? Started by the Chamber of Commerce in 1982, Halloweenfest features the Proper Pot Apple/Pumpkin Bake-off and a street festival on the Saturday before Halloween.
Directions from Asheville: I-26 to exit 40/Highway 280/Airport exit toward Brevard.
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