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.
Come Hell or High Water
Tuesday, September 16, 9 p.m.
WNCW 88.7
Listen to this documentary about the Great Flood of 1916 either on your radio or by streaming online. The documentary is produced by David Weintraub and the Center for Cultural Preservation. Find more information here.
Town of Woodfin Community Gathering
Thursday, September 18, 4-6 p.m.
More details to follow.
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.
Trainings, Remembrance, and Listening Sessions
Tuesday, September 23-Friday, September 26
Various locations
Resources for Resilience will host several events throughout the week leading up to the one-year anniversary to support the community through connection, practical tools, simple strategies, and research-backed resources. The series will include virtual listening circles, reconnection trainings, and practice groups. Find more information and the full schedule 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.
From Helene and Back: Nature's Wake Up Call
Tuesday, September 23, 9 p.m.
WNCW 88.7
Tune in for this documentary from the public station either through your radio or by streaming online. The documentary is produced by David Weintraub and the Center for Cultural Preservation. Find more information 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.
Food for All
Thursday, September 25, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher
In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Food Lion Feeds, MANNA Food Bank will host this free grocery distribution to commemorate community resilience after Helene. The distribution will include meat, cheese, eggs, produce, and non-perishable food items.
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.
From Helene to Here Benefit
Thursday, September 25, 5-8 p.m.
Cultivated Cocktails Distillery & Tavern, 161 Charlotte Highway, Asheville
Celebrate the generosity and community that grew after the storm and support Root Cause Farm in its mission to provide no-cost, locally grown produce to neighbors in need. Find more information 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.
Primal Scream Club
Friday, September 26, 9-9:30 a.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.
Church Street Collaborative Service
Friday, September 26, 4 p.m.
Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville
The Church Street Churches will host a joint worship service to mark one year after Tropical Storm Helene. The choirs of each church will lead music, and the senior clergy will give a conversational sermon. Find more information here.
Photos From Helene - Opening Reception
Friday, September 26, 5-8 p.m.
Little Animals Space, 31 Carolina Lane Asheville
The Photos From Helene project began as an effort to collect, clean, and share photos lost in the storm in hopes of reuniting them with their owners. Hundreds of photos collected will be available for viewing. Find more information here.
Remembering Helene
Friday, September 26, 5:30-8:45 p.m.
Warren Wilson Chapel & Fellowship Hall, 101 Chapel Lane, Swannanoa
After a community dinner, this candlelit ceremony will include ritual, reflection, story, song, and an area for children to express themselves through art. The free event is open to the public. Find more information here.
After Helene: Reflections on Community Healing and Strength
Saturday, September 27-Sunday, September 28
216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa
Swannanoa Artists' Collective, a group of artists living in and around the Swannanoa area, gathered and organized to create multiple art responses to the disaster. A show of their work will debut at the former church turned community center on Whitson Avenue. Hours on Saturday will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday will be 12-5 p.m.
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 and music beginning at 11 a.m. to 6 p.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.
Camp Noah
Saturday, September 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lutheridge Camp And Conference Center, 2049 Upper Laurel Drive, Arden
Elementary-age children who experienced Tropical Storm Helene can find comfort, healing, and hope through a day of songs, skits, and fun games. The camp is free, but registration is required. Find more information and register here.
Community Tree Giveaway
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Black Mountain Town Hall, 160 Midland Ave., Black Mountain
Town of Black Mountain's event will honor the community’s resilience, commemorate the progress made in recovery, and take tangible steps to restore the tree canopy lost during the storm. At least 200 free native trees will be distributed to Town residents, complete with planting and care instructions to ensure long-term growth. Other event highlights include a special program with Town elected officials and a community reflection corner of interactive activities where residents can share stories and memories over the past year. 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.
Volunteer Celebration and Community Party
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. -5p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 50 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Asheville
St. James AME Church and the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association will host a day of music, food, fellowship, and fun with St. James' famous fried fish, line dancing, bouncy houses, and more.
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.
Community Cookout
Saturday, September 27, 2-7 p.m.
Silverados, 2898 US-70, Black Mountain
Hosted by Valley Strong Disaster Relief, this free community cookout will include live music, free food, a bouncy house, karaoke, a petting zoo, and a worship band at 6 p.m. Find more information here.
Barnardsville Rising!
Saturday, September 27, 3 p.m.
Barnardsville Fire Department, 100 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville
Sponsored by the Barnardsville Area Resilience Network, the free barbecue and concert will feature Red Clay Strings, The Contractors, Wayne Buckner, and David Dye.
Helene Anniversary Service
Saturday, September 27, 3 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Nativity, 2425 Hendersonville Road, Arden
Hosted by Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas, this service will include a sermon from Rev. Emily K. Hartner, bishop of the North Carolina Synod, and a reception. Crisis counselors from Hope4NC will be available after the service.
Climate Change and Social Justice in the Wake of Helene
Saturday, September 27, 3 p.m.
Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
This free forum will focus on climate change, its role in intensifying storms, and the storm's impact on resources, property, and the people who face them head on. Rev. Dr. Patricia Tull and Rev. Rebecca Barnes, both of whom are leaders in the environmental and justice ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will speak, and Dr. Mallory McDuff, Warren Wilson College professor and author, will moderate the discussion. Find more information and register here.
Helene Anniversary Service
Saturday, September 27, 4 p.m.
Foster SDA Church, 375 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
City Church of Asheville will host a worship service to mark one year after the storm's impact on our community. 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.
Reunion Concert
Saturday, September 27, 6 p.m.
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.
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.
Anniversary Concert
Saturday, September 27, 7 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville
First Baptist Church of Asheville Adult Choir will be joined by the Asheville Symphony and the All Souls Cathedral Choir for a free community concert to celebrate the resilience of the region. At 6 p.m., a free barbecue meal will be served in the sanctuary parking. The concert will feature Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living.
Hearts with Hands Sunday Service
Sunday, September 28, 10:15 a.m.
Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Road, Asheville
The nonprofit will hold a service to remember the storm and honor the resilience, recovery, and hope that came out of it. Find more information here.
Celebration of Resiliency
Sunday, September 28, 2 p.m.
Black Mountain Town Square, 100 East State Street, Black Mountain
This free community event celebrates healing, remembrance, and honor with live music as part of the Black Mountain Blues Festival. Find more information about the festival here.
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.
Stronger Than the Storm
Thursday, October 2, 5:30 p.m.
Asheville Yards, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville
MountainTrue has rolled its annual member gathering, volunteer appreciation, and community celebration into one to recognize the milestone, the people, the progress, and the power of community. The event will include live music, food, door prizes, resources, and more. MountainTrue supporters receive free entry, and entry is $10 for the general public. Find more information here.
Rising Above Helene, Film Documentary Screening
Wednesday, Oct. 8, Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Movie starts at 6 p.m.
East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville
Join 100Strong Productions filmmakers for a screening of the documentary Rising Above Helene. The film is about the strength of people and community. Through heartfelt interviews, sweeping visuals, and on-the-ground storytelling, the film captures the quiet determination of neighbors who came together to rebuild what was broken.