Skip to content
Web Extras
25 Years of Rhythm and Roots at the Birthplace of Country Music
Twenty-five years ago, a small festival dedicated to the music forged from the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains took
September 14, 2026
Contests
CURRENT Contests
The results are in, and our readers have spoken!
The Nomination /Voting period has ended. Please look for the results posted in the November/December 2026 issue.
Ten years after this poll’s inaugural launch, we once again turned to our knowledgeable readers for their picks. The results? A brand-new collection of 71 exceptional Blue Ridge communities that excel at bringing big smiles to the faces of both residents and visitors.
The results are in, and our readers have spoken!
The Nomination /Voting period has ended. Please look for the results posted in the November/December 2026 issue.
Ten years after this poll’s inaugural launch, we once again turned to our knowledgeable readers for their picks. The results? A brand-new collection of 71 exceptional Blue Ridge communities that excel at bringing big smiles to the faces of both residents and visitors.
Departments
Singing in the Garden
Singing in the Garden: The Practically Perfect Pear
“There are only 10 minutes in the life of [the average] pear when it is perfect to eat.” —Abraham Lincoln,
September 1, 2026
The Mountain Q&A
Vic Isley: President & CEO of Explore Asheville
“At my core, I’m a proud Carolina girl, foodie, travel and music lover, and farmer’s daughter.”
September 1, 2026
