Conscious party: Lyric headlines Asheville GreenWorks’ Root Ball

NEVER TIRE: Local youths pull debris out of the Swannanoa River while volunteering for Asheville GreenWorks – a nonprofit that regularly attracts young helpers. “[We] try to foster a sense of love, respect and responsibility in the next generation of environmental stewards,” volunteer coordinator Kate Nelson says. Photo courtesy of Asheville GreenWorks

WHAT: A concert and barbecue benefiting Asheville GreenWorks

WHERE:  The Outdoor Adventure Center

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 29, from 6:30-10 p.m.

WHY: “Our slogan is ‘Get dirty for a great cause,’ and [Asheville GreenWorks’ volunteers] are definitely out there getting dirty,” says the nonprofit’s executive director, Dawn Chavez.

In the past year, between 2,500 and 3,000 volunteers have pitched in to complete roughly 200 environmental projects — from planting trees to lugging more than 1,000 tires out of area rivers. “Some of them are big tractor tires, and they’ve been in the river for years,” Chavez says. “They’re full of silt and leaching toxins.”

GreenWorks also administers the city of Asheville’s Adopt-a-Street Program, providing supplies like safety vests, gloves and trash bags and coordinating waste pickups after individual volunteers and groups have tidied up their stretch of road. An upcoming dance party and fundraiser will celebrate this year’s improvements to the urban landscape.

“Lyric is going to be performing, and we’re going to have beer on tap, games for the kids, and hamburgers and hot dogs,” Chavez says. Hickory Nut Gap Farm will provide meat for the barbecue, and The Hop will handle dessert. Admission includes food, though drinks will cost extra.

Attendees can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes like handmade pottery, an ENO hammock and gift certificates to local businesses.

Visit ashevillegreenworks.org for tickets ($20/$25) or more information. Children younger than 18 can attend free with a paying adult. Ticket sales and a portion of beverage sales benefit Asheville GreenWorks.

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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3 thoughts on “Conscious party: Lyric headlines Asheville GreenWorks’ Root Ball

  1. boatrocker

    Man, that Lyric band has been working out or something since the last time I saw them play.
    It’s almost like they haven’t aged since middle school!

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