The Summit Charter School Foundation announced that the 2025 Cashiers Festival of Trees will open on Friday, Nov. 28, at 370 Mitten Lane in Cashiers. The festive fundraiser — accessible both in person and online — will run through Saturday, Nov. 29, with doors open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Girls on the Run of Western North Carolina (GOTR WNC) will host its annual Fall 5K Presented by AdventHealth. Hundreds of girls, families, coaches and community members will lace up their sneakers for this celebration of confidence, connection and joy. 

Tickets are on sale now for Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition: Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum happening Nov. 15 through Jan. 4.

Visitors to this year’s Winter Lights will find a special treat as they encounter six of the whimsical troll sculptures from Thomas Dambo’s Trolls: A Field Study exploring the gardens. 

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), in partnership with The North Carolina Arboretum, will host American Chestnut Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Arboretum. 

Adults and youth ages 10 and up are welcome to kayak Wolf Lake with Jackson County Recreation.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 7 by meeting up at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer the first Cades Cove vehicle-free day of the year on June 18. Vehicle-free days provide opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles. 

Sliding Rock, one of the most popular destinations in Pisgah National Forest, will open for the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. During that time, visitors can expect lifeguards on duty, restrooms open and staff on site to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. 

More than two dozen vendors will take part in the fifth season of the Mill Town Farmers Market, which opens Thursday, May 15, and continues every Thursday through Oct. 30. 

FIND Outdoors is excited to announce the seasonal reopening of the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest on April 5. This historic site, often referred to as the birthplace of modern forestry in America, continues to serve as a hub for conservation education and outdoor experiences.

Opening day attendees will enjoy complimentary admission and programming throughout the day, including:

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Character Meet & Greets

11 a.m. — Book signing and reading with Carolyn Bennett Fraise, the author of “MOON TREE: The Story of One Extraordinary Tree” 

1-2 p.m.  — Up Close Encounter with Birds of Prey 

• Jeff Curtis presents an exciting falconry demonstration featuring majestic birds of prey. Get up close to these incredible birds and learn about their role in the ecosystem.

3-4 p.m. — Fur, Feathers and Scales

• The WNC Nature Center brings an exciting educational presentation featuring animals with fur, feathers and scales. Meet live animals and learn how they adapt to their environments.

Guided tours of the Biltmore Campus Trail and Forest Festival Trail will also be available.

Admission:

$10/adult (13+)

$5/child (4–12)

$5/Federal Passholder

Season Passes  to the Cradle of Forestry are also available for $35/individual or $55/family and include:

• Regular admission to the Cradle of Forestry during the season

• 15% discount at the Cradle of Forestry Gift Shop

• Half-off admission for special programs/events offered throughout the season

For more information, visit gofindoutdoors.org/sites/cradle-of-forestry.

After years of work on the project and more than a decade of planning and advocacy, the new aquatic center in Jackson County is officially open to patrons.