No sweat: Mountain Sports Festival goes the extra mile

The following activities and attractions — including workshops and live music — complement the festival’s competitive events, making for a family-style weekend of not-to-be-missed educational opportunities and great entertainment. For more information, visit www.mountainsportsfestival.com.

Workshops and clinics

For more information on dates, times and locations for workshops and clinics, see Schedule of Events.

• North Carolina Outward Bound School’s “Leave No Trace” workshops (including: mountain biking, backpacking/camping, paddling and climbing.

• Meet the Kenyans: Talk shop with the world’s top athletes

• Youth Yoga Clinic

• Trail Running Shoe Clinic

• Running with your Dog

• Dog Packing

• Proper Dog Backcountry Ethics

• Backpack-fitting at the Mast General Store booth

Outdoor programs

• Rafting, biking, hiking and climbing: Explore Asheville Outdoors offers daily trips for the general public (all skill levels). Visit www.discoverashevilleoutdoors.com for details.

Kid/family activities

The Mountain Sports Festival Kids and Family Corner includes balloon-making, demos by the Asheville Police and Fire Departments, and a Youth Adventure Challenge.

Live entertainment

• The Keith King Bike Stunt Show: Music and a live DJ accompany gravity-defying stunts and expert techniques (Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., at Festival Center in City/County Plaza.

• Films: A Race for the Soul, a chronicle of the grueling Western States 100 ultramarathon (Friday, May 31, 9 p.m., Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave.); Riversense, a four-part documentary featuring classic figures in paddling history (Saturday, June 1, 9 p.m., Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.).

• Kurt Smith’s “Kickin’ Access Slide Show, Raffle, & DJ Party”: Tall tales from high peaks, followed by raffle, music and dancing (Saturday, June 1,Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 7:30 p.m.).

• Live music: Enjoy favorite local acts at the Festival Center all weekend long, including Scrappy Hamilton (ragtime/boogie), Sons of Ralph (alt-country/bluegrass), Southern Lights (jam rock), the Laura Blackley Band (folk rock).

Ongoing attractions at Festival Center

• Climbing tower

• Bike demos from Blue Ridge Bike Dealers

• Kayak Practice Roll Tank

• Rafters in the Fountain

• Running treadmill (with digital camera to evaluate gait)

• Chiropractic testing

• Yoga workshops

• Guest speakers

• Youth Adventure Challenges

• Food and product vendors

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