Full announcement from Carolina Farm Stewards:

The Burton Street Community of West Asheville is in the planning stages for the 3rd annual revival of the agriculture fair that was started 1913 by E.W. Pearson in this historically African American neighborhood. The fair was started at a time in N.C.'s history when black citizens had recently been disenfranchised. In an effort to showcase the skills and talents of his vibrant community, E.W. Pearson initiated Asheville's Negro Agriculture Fair. Through the years that followed, the fair grew in size and numbers, becoming a truly regional event. In its heyday, attendance was near 10,000 people, both black and white.

As a community, Burton Street celebrates our amazing history and the agriculture legacy E.W. Pearson left us. Our goal is to fully revive this historic fair and make it a central annual cultural event for the West Asheville community and beyond!

We are looking for partners from the WNC agricultural community to join us in the planning process and invite anyone interested to participate on our planning committee that meets the 2nd Monday of each month. Meetings occur from 5:30 - 7pm at the Burton Street Recreation Center (134 Burton Street). The next meeting occurs on March 12th…hope to see you there!