The Bele Chere is Asheville’s big music and arts festival. It is the largest FREE 3-day festival in the Southeast featuring live, original music on 4 stages for 300,000 festivalgoers.
Bele Chere offers the unique opportunity to see, taste and hear some of the region’s finest art, cuisine and music. I have heard about the festival for so many years and decided to visit:
“A MUST festival, well attended festival for people watcher, cool mountain setting. Lots of pretty things and sounds.”
The festival is in its 33rd year and as grown and attracts people from all over. There is something for everyone from apple candy to unique Art. You can get henna tattoo designs or visit the tarot reading and horoscope tent. Here is a bird’s eye view of my finds.
I visited early Friday when the festival started to get first dibs on the beautiful handmade goodies. Many merchants came from all over as far as L.A.
Michelle Chang and Wayne Goa, both ceramic artists, load up and drive straight to Asheville from L.A. where they begin their 10 state-tour of festivals. They design from small pieces for wall décor to large piece like café table. Their products are very colorful and some pieces include coy fish reflecting part of their culture.
The streets were well patrolled to keep the festival fun and safe. There are plenty of refreshment stations to keep you hydrated while you meander through the exhibition. The Air dog show attracted a large crowd. Don’t forget to bring a chair if you are a music-goer.
The streets were well patrolled to keep the festival fun and safe. There are plenty of refreshment stations to keep you hydrated while you meander through the exhibition. The Air dog show attracted a large crowd. Don’t forget to bring a chair if you are a music-goer.
The festival is held every year, end of July.
Here were some of my favorite exhibitors.
Music Big Nasty, Jazz Band
Jewelry Byrd Designs, Vintage Inspired jewelry, NC
Pottery Ester Lipscomb, Potter,
Wood Wild Wood Originals, TN
Rustic Sculptures Furniture,
lamps and candles
Recycled Art Kenz Art Creations, Nashville, TN
Whimsical Collage made from recycled
magazine decoupage art
Metal Sculptures Certo Italian Handcraft, Nashville, TN
(615) 941-1439
(615) 941-1439
Fabric RB clothing, cool wrap-around and regular
All of the above is intellectual property and cannot be reproduced without the artist’s approval. Note: Some of the artists websites might be disabled while hosting festivals.
