Asheville Outdoor Center Hosts Sunset River Arts Festival to Benefit WNC Advocacy League

In the middle of April planning began for a series of events to be held at the Asheville Outdoor Center to benefit WNC Advocacy League. The owners and staff of Asheville Outdoor Center have a deep passion and appreciation for the local arts movement, and were hoping to find a way to celebrate and promote that. They just happened to reach out at the right moment to the founder of WNC Advocacy League who is equally passionate and motivated. Together they are bringing the area the First Annual Asheville Sunset Arts Festival to be held on June 20th, 2015, from 4pm to 10pm at the Asheville Outdoor Center, right on the river at 521 Amboy Rd. Asheville.

The festival will feature 75-100 vendors including: local artists, makers and handcrafters. There will be an exhibition walk where local artists will have their works displayed amongst some of the most beautifully landscaped areas of the AOC riverpark. The Asheville Outdoor Center mainstage will have local acts performing throughout the evening. Some of Asheville’s favorite local food trucks will be in a designated food area for festival goers to purchase eats and treats. The Asheville Outdoor Center Taproom will be in full swing throughout the festival. When the sun sets the artists, exhibitors and vendors will light up their art, and the night, bringing a unique whimsical atmosphere to the festival.

Vendors, artists and donors are supplying prizes for a benefit raffle to be held at the end of the night. Tickets for the raffle will be available at the Raffle Tent and from volunteers. Free parking nearby and free shuttle service for outer parking areas from 5pm-8pm. Entrance fee to the festival is donation based and arm bands will be given at the gate. ID check for 21 and over beer consumers at the second checkpoint.

About Asheville Outdoor Center: Asheville Outdoor Center has been providing quality, affordable, relaxing and hassle free river trips since 1992. The owners and staff have a deep appreciation for the river, the community and the guests that they serve. With 25 years experience in the outdoor recreation field, A.O.C and its owners and staff wish to share their knowledge and love of the river with all who ask “What’s there to do?”.

Asheville Outdoor Center is conveniently located at the gateway to the river greenways in Asheville, NC., at the Amboy road exit off Interstate 26 W. We are just 10 min. from downtown Asheville, ten minutes from Biltmore Estate, and Biltmore Village, and ten minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are 2 hrs. from Charlotte, NC, 3 hours from Atlanta, and 2 hours from Gatlinburg, TN.

Asheville Outdoor Center (Southern Waterways) is a licensed professional river outfitter, permitted by the NPS Blue Ridge Parkway, a member of the ACA, the NC paddlesport association, and a member of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. AOC has been awarded the prestigious “Friends of the river” award by Land of Sky Regional Council, The “Critical Link” award by Riverlink, and continues to support the community and river corridor with river clean ups, providing equipment and venue space for events and non-profit clean ups. All AOC Staff are CPR/first aid certified.

About WNC Advocacy League: WNC Advocacy League helps the community advocate for itself by connecting community members in need with neighbors and services. They have on staff legal advocates, mental health specialists, geriatric specialists, community liaisons, intake specialists, etc. It could be as simple as seeing to it that someone has transportation to important appointments, or an elders trash is taken out, or helping navigate through difficult situations, like a person who may lose their home because their taxes are in arrears, or the property is in need of a major rehab. They help find help. WNCAL connects neighbors and businesses to each other and the most vulnerable in our community. WNC Advocacy League works directly with other local agencies as needed to ensure that our community members aren’t falling through the cracks, but being looked after and cared for, with compassion.

WNCAL distributes food and clothing to those who need help.

WNCAL builds wheelchair ramps and make homes safe.

WNCAL helps determine what special services are needed to improve quality of life.

Most of all, WNCAL makes sure that our community members know that their well-being is important.

The founders, executives and volunteers at WNC Advocacy League believe every neighbor has the capacity to be a superhero to someone.