‘Chere’ the Fun! Bele Chere 2009

Residents and visitors alike can enjoy Bele Chere, a “cost-free” fun-filled event held in downtown Asheville July 24 to the 26.

Staff reports

View full festival schedule and site map.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Western North Carolina mountains, Bele Chere began in 1979 and was located on three blocks of downtown Asheville. 

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 and residents moved to the outskirts of town.

Bele Chere means “beautiful living,” and comes from an ancient Scottish dialect. However, for residents and visitors alike, Bele Chere offers a “cost-free,” fun-filled three days of live music, an impressive array of arts and crafts, and entertainment and activities for children. All festival activities are in the downtown area.

Bele Chere is the largest free festival in the Southeastern United States. This event is always held the last FULL weekend in July, with festival attendance estimated at about 300,000 to 350,000 people over the three-day period of the festival.

Arts and crafts vendors will travel from all over the country to set up shop, selling metalwork, fabric, paint, ceramics, woodwork and a variety of other mediums will be featured throughout the festival. Stroll through the standard Festival Arts and Crafts, take some time to visit Arts Park in the Drhumor parking lot to visit with the selected artists, and most importantly – enjoy the day.

Getting Around During Bele Chere

If you are driving into downtown, please be aware parking will be at a premium during Bele Chere. All downtown parking decks will be open, though different access routes may be in use. There are also a number of surface lots around the perimeter that sell parking. In both cases, special event rates will apply. Free handicapped parking is available at any metered parking space outside the festival boundaries.

Bele Chere Shuttle Services

There will be two shuttle routes – one from the east and one from the west – which will run approximately every 20 minutes. The east shuttle will run from the back parking lot of the Asheville Mall, located on Tunnel Road east of downtown. The west shuttle will run from the K-Mart Plaza west of town on Patton Avenue. Each shuttle costs $3 round trip.
2009 Entertainment

All scheduled performances at the 2009 Bele Chere Festival will be free. There will be no gated concerts and no tickets necessary to experience the 2009 musical lineup. For a full schedule listing all of the performances for the festival visit www.belecherefestival.com.

Bele Chere Children’s Area

The theme of the 2009 Children’s Area is Passport to Asheville: Arts, Animals, and Atmosphere. This year’s Children’s Area will be located in the Civic Center, allowing festivities to continue whatever the weather. The Arena floor will be transformed into downtown Asheville. There will be a mix of free crafts and activities as well as ticketed rides.

Spare ‘Fido’ from the Dog Days of Summer!

In the best interest of both the animal and the crowds, pets (except seeing-eye dogs) are strictly prohibited inside the Bele Chere festival boundaries. July temperatures in the mid- to upper eighties, coupled with tens of thousands of people, can be overwhelming for pets, so leave your furry friend at home.

Festival organizers will fully enforce the “no animals” policy. Your dog will be taken to a “Doggy Jail” at 70 Court Plaza (between the County Courthouse and City Hall), where volunteers from Chain Free Asheville will provide a cool, clean, friendly place to house your pet for a nominal fee while you attend the festival.