Musician Mia Borders (miaborders.com) headlines Blue Ridge Pride, a free festival held in downtown Asheville, on Saturday, Oct. 2.

According to a press release, “Mia Borders is a soulful vocalist and lively bandleader who is quickly establishing herself both locally and across the country. When Borders recently opened for Corinne Bailey Rae at the House of Blues, NewOrleans.com noted that ‘Borders drew the crowd in and had them cheering for more by the time she announced the last song of her 30-minute set.’ She has also recently had rave reviews about her performances at the San Jose Jazz Festival and the The Taos Mountain Music Fest.”

From the Blue Ridge Pride website:

Also playing at Pride will be Crys Matthews.  Although she is constantly referred to as ‘the next Tracy Chapman,’ Crys Matthews describes herself and her music as: “Imagine Jill Scott and Otis Redding had a daughter and Tracy Chapman was her god-mother… now imagine she spent summers teaching herself piano in Chicago and guitar in the mountains of North Carolina… that would probably sound something like the music I am fortunate enough to call my own.”

Swayback SistersThe Swayback Sisters are Laura Blackley, Nikki Talley and Lyndsay Wojcik. Hailing individually from Asheville, North Carolina, these “sisters” decided to join forces & create a diverse musical experience for themselves as well as their audiences.

Blue Ridge Pride is a weekend event featuring a day long outdoor festival including mainstage music and entertainers, community talents, educational workshops, regional vendors, and participation from state-wide and local LGBTQ and non-profit organizations.

Pride is a Pet Free event per City of Asheville regulations.

Parking is available in City of Asheville garages located at: Rankin Ave Garage, on Rankin Ave and Walnut St, or the Civic Center Garage, on Haywood Street and Rankin Ave. Fees subject to garage rules and regulations for weekend rates.

Kid’s Area open from 12 noon until 6pm with crafts, face painting, balloon artistry, and entertainers.

Zeal to Heal will be filming interviews of patrons throughout the day regarding their experinces as part of the LGBTQ community and Pride events.