Bele Chere 2012

Downtown streets are hardly recognizable as revelers make their way through the Bele Chere festival.  Photo: City of Asheville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department

Staff Reports

The City of Asheville will host the 34th annual Bele Chere street fair and festival Friday, July 27 through Sunday, July 29 throughout downtown Asheville.

Bele Chere began in 1979 as a collaboration of downtown merchants hoping to energize the city during the hot summer months. Their vision was to revitalize the business district by creating foot traffic in the form of a traditional street fair; they derived the name for the festival from an old Scottish dialect phrase that means “Beautiful Living.” With big-name and local bands, countless visual artists and crafts vendors, and all things Asheville, the festival has long enjoyed a reputation as a place for the entire family, with events for all ages.

Schedule of Performances – Click Here

Fun for Children

The Children’s Area will be located inside the U.S. Cellular Center—what city residents know as the Asheville Civic Center—and will offer children a mix of crafts, rides, performances, and other activities offered by local nonprofits. Children can practice Tae Kwon Do, join sing-alongs, learn fire safety from the Asheville Fire Department, or pet animals from the WNC Nature Center. Remember: No childcare services will be offered, so do not leave your children unattended without a parent or guardian. The Children’s Area is an alcohol-free zone.

Mommy Haven

If you have a little one and need a changing or nursing station, you’ll find the Mommy Haven at the U.S. Cellular Center on the concourse level before you go down the ramp to the Children’s Area.

Cooling down is part of the routine at Bele Chere.  Photo: Urban News

Senior Oasis

The Senior Oasis will be located in the U.S. Cellular Center where it is cool inside. Please check with attendants for any activities.

Cooling Stations

Cooling station will be located throughout the Bele Chere Festival. Walk through one of the misting stations and be pleasantly cooled down, as the calming water-mist takes the edge off on a hot day.

Urban Trail & Public Art

Bele Chere 2012 includes such works as the “Energy Loop,” the Deco Gecko in Pritchard Park, and more than 30 sculptures and plaques along the Urban Trail.

Rev J. Van Harper (R), at Bele Chere’s food court.  Photo: City of Asheville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department

Shopping

Bele Chere vendors offer a variety of shopping opportunities of art, crafts, gifts, décor, and unique clothing to satisfy the most discriminating of tastes. Bele Chere T-shirts past and present will also be available for sale–just ask at information booths. Cash, credit, or check will vary from vendor to vendor, but if you need to acquire cash while attending the festival, you can find ATMs throughout the Downtown Asheville area, including:

ATMs

• Asheville Savings Bank: Patton Avenue at Arts Park

• Bank of America: 162 College Street & 68 Patton Ave.

• BB&T: 1 West Pack Square

• Cash Points: Corner of Charlotte and College Streets

• First Citizens Bank: 108 Patton Ave.

• Premier Credit Union: Haywood St. at the U.S. Cellular Center

• Wachovia: 1 Haywood Street

Food Around the Festival

Asheville is fast becoming the premiere culinary destination of North Carolina and the Southeast. Local chefs and entrepreneurs have spurred the region’s farm-to-table and local food movements. Experience Foodtopia at the Taste of Asheville in Pack Square, featuring local restaurants that showcase a sampling of some of the best cuisine in Asheville. Also, around the perimeter of Pritchard Park satisfy your craving for funnel cakes, kettle corn, hamburgers, hotdogs, and other specialty foods.

Beat the Heat With a Cold Drink!

Coolers are not allowed, but beverage booths will be located throughout the festival with water, sodas, and beer. Most of the area’s 10 microbreweries will have their brews available, and wine is also available. But remember: the Children’s Area is an alcohol-free zone, and Sunday is an alcohol-free day.

To buy alcoholic beverages at Bele Chere, you must be at least 21 years old and purchase a wristband, which you must wear to buy or carry alcohol on the streets during the festival. You can acquire a wristband for $2, along with your state or military-issue picture identification. Areas in which to purchase wristbands are conveniently located next to the beverage stations.

In addition to wearing your wristband through the entirety of the festival (or as long as you wish to buy and enjoy beer and wine), you must show your identification each time you purchase an alcoholic beverage at Bele Chere. Please drink responsibly!

Parking

If you drive in, remember that parking will be limited, so carpooling is encouraged. City parking decks will be open during the festival, but access may be different than normal—check the map for details. Also, a large number of surface lots around the perimeter offer parking. In both cases, be aware that special event rates apply. Free handicapped parking is available at any metered parking space outside the festival boundaries.

A better option is to take a shuttle for $2 roundtrip. Shuttles will begin accepting passengers at the start of the festival, and run for one hour past the festival’s close time; shuttles run approximately every 20 minutes.

Park & Ride Shuttles

Friday, July 27: noon – 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 28: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sunday, July 29: noon – 7 p.m.

East Shuttle — Asheville Mall, 3 South Tunnel Road to Pack Square Park

West Shuttle — K-Mart Plaza Shopping Center, 1001 Patton Avenue to U.S. Cellular Center

Bike to the Festival

Asheville on Bikes offers the Bike Corral where you can safely and securely store your bike and get the lowdown on urban cycling initiatives. Donations are suggested. The Bike Corral is located on Patton Avenue between Asheland and Coxe Avenues. Please note: Bicycles and skateboards are not allowed within the festival boundaries.

Please – Leave Your Pets at Home!

As in previous years “ALL PETS & REPTILES” are strictly prohibited inside of the festival boundaries. Leave your pooch at home or to make a trip to Doggy Jail. If your pet is arrested, Doggy Jail is a cool, clean, and friendly place to house your pet while you attend the festival. Doggy Jail is located at 70 Court Plaza (in front of City Hall).

Restrooms, Lost & Found, First Aid

There will be temporary restrooms located throughout the festival boundaries. There are also restrooms located within the U.S. Cellular Center. Lost and Found will be located in the U.S. Cellular Center.

First-Aid tents are located in three areas:

• Patton Avenue and Church Street

• Children’s Area (inside the U.S. Cellular Center)

• Lexington near College Street

Here’s the last word on Bele Chere: Keep cool by ducking inside or walking through the cooling stations. Drink plenty of fluids (and if you drink alcohol, drink responsibly). Be respectful of everyone you meet, and enjoy the party!

More information avaiable online at www.belecherefestival.com