How do you celebrate the silver anniversary of a massive three-day, over-the-top street party that overflows with thousands of people, countless diversions, and as much free music as you can stand -- all brought together on what's predictably one of the steamiest summer weekends?
Hmm. How about by throwing a massive three-day, over-the-top street party that ... well, you get the picture.
Yes, Asheville's own Bele Chere -- billed as the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast -- cranks up this year for its 25th round.
Festival organizers are making the most of the milestone. They've resurrected some old crowd-pleasers (such as the belly-flop competition, which will be emptying the pool at the Best Western on Woodfin Street) and piled on new features (including a hands-on Silver Celebration sand sculpture at City/County Plaza).
Organizers have deftly threaded the silver-anniversary theme throughout the festival. This year's Bele Chere poster, for example, incorporates elements from each of the past 24 designs, notes Melissa Porter, an event specialist with Asheville Parks and Recreation (which coordinates the festival).
Bele Chere -- and downtown Asheville itself -- has come a long way since the festival kicked off in 1979. Back then, downtown's department stores were fleeing to the mall, and the city center was downright gloomy, remembers Robin Daniel, a former member of the city-appointed Asheville Revitalization Commission who served as Bele Chere's first chairperson.
In the space of about six weeks, Daniel and other volunteers whipped up a street festival (held in early August that first year) aimed at injecting some life into the streets and showcasing the city's potential. The first Bele Chere's three days of music, food and other attractions drew about 10,000 visitors, she recalls.
For her part, Daniel is convinced that Bele Chere marked the turning point for downtown Asheville. In the years since, millions of dollars have been spent to renovate buildings and spruce up the city center, which now bustles with activity at nearly every hour of the day.
The festival itself has also flourished, with 350,000 visitors expected to soak up the more than 100 local and national musical acts appearing on eight stages this year. Those festivalgoers will also sample the wares of more than 50 food vendors and absorb the indescribable stew of sights and sounds -- both scheduled and impromptu.
Come celebrate Bele Chere's happy 25th.
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