Purple pros
Thanks for reading through to the end…
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.
Not funny. Public events such as the Moogfest, Belle Chere and LAAFF all contribute to the enjoyment by residents of our wonderful city and to expanded tourism (which benefits businesses). Just as the City pays for advertising that promotes tourism in magazines across the country, it should be promoting events for tourists once they get here. One can argue the amounts that should be spent on a strict “cost/benefit” basis (increased commercial activity, tax revenues, etc), but there are untold benefits that are impossible to measure. I don’t mind spending my tax dollars on activities that promote the City, its residents and its businesses, as long as the dollars are spent responsibly.