As we look to the anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene on September 27, our community will pause to remember the past year, grieve all that we lost, and honor the bonds forged by the storm. Events throughout our county will reflect on the stories of neighbors who stood together, the lives forever changed, and the lessons carried forward – acknowledging the past while we shape a stronger, more connected future together. 

This list will be updated as additional events are confirmed, and it is by no means comprehensive. Many other organizations are also planning commemorative events around the region for those who wish to reflect on the past year and honor the community that came together. 

Come Hell or High Water Project

Through a combination of crowdsourced materials, scientific data, media coverage, and historical photos, this Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) community memory project is building a comprehensive digital archive of Tropical Storm Helene’s impact. BCSC will be bringing the Come Hell or High Water Project to multiple one-year commemorative events and will be open by appointment only from Monday, September 22 through Saturday, September 27. Members of the public are encouraged to upload photos, videos, written testimonies, and audio files here and find an overview of the project here. 

Swannanoa Community Altar

Saturday, September 20-Monday, September 29
Swannanoa Fire Department, 103 South Ave., Swannanoa
Community members are invited to bring any items they wish to contribute and place them around the flagpole. 

Film Screening: “Swannanoan Silt”

Saturday, September 20, 3-4 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville
Buncombe County Special Collections will host a screening of two film by local filmmakers, “The Swannanoa River” by Drew Erin Adams and “Swannanoan Silt” by Isaac King and Tristan Turner, which is presented as part of the Carolina Record Shop and the community memory project Come Hell or High Water, documenting the historic impact of Helene on Western North Carolina. Find more information here. 

A Day of Community and Remembrance with Resources for Resilience

Tuesday, September 23, 5-7 p.m.
Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston Ave., Swannanoa
The event will offer practical tools for managing stress and supporting those around you through hard times. Registration is required and closes at 4:30 p.m. on September 23. Find more information and register here. 

Post-Helene Symposium

Wednesday, September 24-Friday, September 26
UNC Asheville, 1 University Heights, Asheville
The campus-wide event will focus on “Remembering, Rebuilding, and Reimagining,” bringing together UNC Asheville faculty and Buncombe County residents to share stories, histories, science, impact studies, and more. The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Find more information and register here. 

Heroes of Helene

Thursday, September 25, 4-7 p.m.
Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville
Presented by the Asheville-Buncombe Chamber of Commerce, Explore Asheville, and Highland Brewing, in partnership with Buncombe County and the City of Asheville, this ceremony will honor the responders, healthcare professionals, and line workers who served during the storm. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Find more information and register here. 

Glen Bridge River Park River Blessing

Friday, September 26-Sunday, September 28
Glen Bridge River Park, 77 Pinner Road, Arden
Anyone is welcome to offer a blessing and toss flowers into the French Broad River at the time that is most convenient for them while supplies last. Flowers and example blessings will be provided at the river access point. 

Swannanoa Community Art Show

Friday, September 26-Sunday, September 28
216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa
A group of artists living in and around the Swannanoa area gathered and organized to create multiple art responses to the disaster, and a show of their work will debut at the former church turned community center on Whitson Avenue. The opening on Friday will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Hours on Saturday will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday will be 12-5 p.m. 

Primal Scream Club

Friday, September 26, 9-9:30 p.m.
Craven Street Bridge, 192 Riverside Drive, Asheville
The West Asheville Library team invites community members to gather and let it all out. The meeting will consist of three of the loudest screams you can muster – before you go about your day. Find more information here. 

Still Strong – Fairview United

Saturday, September 27, 9:27 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fairview Community Center, 1357 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
Join FairviewStrong.org and The Garren Creek Foundation for the Walk to Remember, a day of remembrance and creative resilience, and a vibrant market celebrating our local businesses. Find more information here. 

Swannanoa River Blessing and Beacon Village Gatherings

Saturday, September 27
Various locations
At 10 a.m., the Swannanoa community will gather to walk from the main station of the Swannanoa Fire Department in Beacon Village to the Whitson Avenue Bridge for a river blessing and song. Blunt Pretzels (120 Alexander Pl., Swannanoa) will offer a free community meal beginning at 11 a.m., and Short Sleeves Coffee (222 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa) will host a free kids’ art program in coordination with Asheville Creative Arts at 1 p.m.  

Note: The Whitson Avenue bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for a short time during the walk.  

Reunion Concert

Saturday, September 27
Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville
Swannanoa-based nonprofit The Blessing Project will host an evening of music, reflection, and hope. Find more information here. 

Helene One Year Later: Community Remembrance & Resilience Day

Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
Throughout the day, the library will host a series of events that are centered on remembering the year since Helene and building resilience and community for the future. Find the full schedule here. 

Celebrate Resiliency & Recovery in Weaverville

Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lake Louise Park, 122 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
The Town of Weaverville will host a celebration of resiliency, rebirth, and gratitude with remarks from Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons, Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards, and Dry Ridge Historian Judy Craggs. Find more information here. 

Biltmore Forest Commemoration

Saturday, September 27, 4-6 p.m.
Biltmore Forest Town Hall, 355 Vanderbilt Road, Asheville
Town residents are invited to commemorate the anniversary of Helene alongside neighbors and staff. The event will include a photo slideshow and story collection. Find more information and RSVP here. 

Bee Tree Candlelight Vigil

Saturday, September 27, 6:30 p.m.
Bee Tree Fire Station, 510 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa
The Swannanoa Fire Department will host a candlelight vigil to remember the 43 lives lost in Buncombe County and honor the community’s resilience. 

Historic Preservation in the Wake of Helene

Tuesday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe (PSABC) and the Friends of East Asheville Library will present this talk from Jessie Landl, executive director of PSABC, and Josi Ward, president of Foreground Consulting. Find more information here. 

To share information about additional community events, please send us an email.