ASHEVILLE, NC (Aug. 12, 2004) — As millions of Americans hit the malls this winter in search of the perfect holiday gift, the mountains of Asheville create a different kind of shopping experience that caters to a growing trend among travelers—the desire for activities that are fun and educational.
According to a recent travel survey conducted by Roper Reports NOP (National Opinion Poll), 64 percent of those polled said the chance to learn new things was "very important" in planning leisure time.
Long a haven for artisans, Asheville encourages visitors to take part in their own artistic endeavor this holiday season. From early November through the end of December, some of the region’s finest artisans will host weekend workshops in a variety of mediums including pottery, knitting, fiber arts and nature crafts.
A complete listing of these creative experiences, along with holiday vacation packages, gift ideas, entertaining tips and Yuletide recipes are available on Asheville’s “Light Up Your Holidays” Web site.
While meandering through the region’s lush peaks and valleys this holiday season, visitors have the chance to embark on such adventures as private studio tours, quilting parties, organic farming classes, mountain walkabouts and garden-to-table cooking weekends through a Handmade Holiday package program created by Handmade in America, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting Western North Carolina’s unique culture and resources. A sampling includes:
- Holiday Inspirations (Nov. 10, 20 and Dec. 1) - Area expert and published floral designer, Eve Davis, of the Hawk and Ivy Bed and Breakfast, will guide a workshop on how to create holiday mantel and doorway decorations with a variety of natural plant materials.
- Knit a Mohair Hat (Nov. 8, 15 and 22) - Nowhere Branch Angora Goat Farm is opening its barn doors to teach visitors the basics of knitting with locally produced fine wool.
- Fiber Ornament Making (Dec. 3) - Visitors can spend time on the Angel Ridge Farm creating three handmade holiday ornaments: a sheep pompom made from handspun yarn, a colorful felted ball and a woven star.
Another central place for creating one-of-a-kind holiday treasures is the Folk Art Center at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Throughout the months of November and December, members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild demonstrate their skills at this free attraction that showcases the work of craft artisans in the Appalachian region.
On Dec. 5 and 12, a group of these artists will gather at the Center, presently home to America's oldest continuously operated craft shop, to help children make gifts from 1 to 4 p.m. Much like the Handmade Holiday learning workshops, these sessions allow children to use traditional craft techniques to create mountain holiday ornaments, cards and other gifts for family and friends while listening to the sounds of live, traditional holiday music.
Asheville Holiday Events
Asheville formally rings in the holiday season with its 58th Annual Christmas Parade at 3 p.m. on Nov. 20. Other seasonal events include a performance of “The Nutcracker,” the renowned gingerbread house competition with more than 200 houses on display at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, as well as a collection of Christmas plays—at downtown Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre and the Flat Rock Playhouse—that set the mood for the holiday season. Additional events include:
- Christmas at Biltmore Estate ~ America’s largest historic home will be draped in lavish decorations, including more than 40 trees, 200 wreaths, 10,000 ornaments, and 1,500 poinsettias. The estate celebration begins Nov. 6 and continues through New Year’s Eve.
- Dickens in the Village ~ Step back into a 19th century Christmas the weekend of Dec. 10 when Biltmore Village transforms itself into the London of Dickens’ day. Enjoy three days of period costumes, street performers, music and food amid the quaint 19th century cottages located near Biltmore Estate.
- Santa Climbs Down the "Chimney" ~ During several Saturdays in December, Santa will climb down the 5-million-year-old rock at Chimney Rock Park just outside Asheville in a series of rappelling demonstrations between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In between demonstrations, families can take a trip up the “Chimney" in a 26-story elevator where children can pose for pictures with Santa and parents are rewarded with an amazing 75-mile view.
- Grove Park Inn Christmas ~ Massive fireplaces decorated with greenery serve as the backdrop to a variety of seasonal activities scheduled at this historic resort. The Inn’s Staff Chorus delights guests with carols, Santa visits the children, and visitors marvel at the fabulous creations from the entrants in the annual gingerbread house contest. The holidays are capped by a huge New Year’s Eve Gala.
Call 800-280-0005 or log onto Asheville’s “Light Up Your Holidays” Web site or for more information on celebrating the holidays in the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. Special two-night getaway deals are available through Dec. 30, 2004.
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