The 20th annual French Broad River Festival celebrates the biggest river of our region with three days of music and outdoor sports. This year’s festival will include whitewater raft and mountain bike races, an opportunity to “Paddle with the Pro” open canoe legend Eli Helbert, an expanded kids village and live music from regional artists like Snake Oil Medicine Show and Empire Strikes Brass. “With Cinco de Mayo, you may see a Mariachi band wander through your campsite and some festive hats and some other surprises in celebration of the 20th anniversary,” notes organizer Sid Border. The festival returns to Hot Springs Campground & Resort Friday-Sunday, May 5-7. $105 weekend pass with camping/$75 weekend pass/$65 Saturday only/$45 whitewater rafting. frenchbroadriverfestival.com. Photo courtesy of Snake Oil Medicine Show
Smart bets: French Broad River Festival

oh! yet another ‘festival’…double YAWN … save your money for retirement…
No, it’s not just “another ‘festival’…” It has been going on for 20 years and is unique in its blend of music, art and outdoor sports that is a family event and nonprofit fundraiser.
Why does MX continue to allow purely negative comments from people that have no idea about the subject matter?
To DreadT, I completely agree with you. For those who wish to be negative, I suggest not commenting at all. I would LOVE to be able to attend this festival and any others; however, due to aging parents in Florida (drat!) I had to give up my full-time residence in Asheville and relocate a few years back. I still visit from time to time and am determined to return “home” in the next several years, but in the meantime, I do not enjoy reading negative comments from folks. Sometimes people do not know what they have or the beauty that is in front of them until they no longer have full and complete access to it. So to the negative post about the festival, keep in mind SOME of us long for festival nights and music nights, time with friends and family alike and the fresh mountain air. XOXO