ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Communities across Western North Carolina are preparing a slate of ceremonies, concerts, art exhibits and community gatherings to mark the first anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene.
The storm struck Sept. 27, 2024, leaving catastrophic flooding and damage across the Asheville area and neighboring mountain counties. Dozens of lives were lost and thousands displaced.
One year later, local governments, universities and community groups are inviting residents to pause, remember and celebrate the resilience that has carried the region forward. Events will run through November.
“These events are an opportunity for our community to come together — not only to remember what was lost, but to recognize the courage and compassion that carried us through,” Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead said in a statement announcing a remembrance ceremony in Waynesville.
Below is a guide to scheduled events. This list will be updated as details about other events are confirmed.
Helene anniversary events
Sept. 24
UNC Asheville Post-Helene Symposium: Panels, concerts, art and interactive events from Sept. 24-26. Free and open to the public, Asheville
A Tale of Two Cities: 20 Years After Katrina & 1 Year After Helene, Ferguson Family YMCA, Candler. Through Sept. 30
Healing HeArts Festival: Hosted by Healing Hearts Lab, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24-25, White Horse Black Mountain, Black Mountain
Looking Back To Move Forward: UNC Asheville Department of Art, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 24-Oct. 5, UNCA, Asheville
Our Changing World: Asheville Museum of Science, daily Sept. 24-April 30, Asheville Museum of Science, Asheville
Autumn Leaves – Group Exhibit: Trackside Studios, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 24-Oct. 31, Trackside Studios, Asheville
“Out of Chaos, Community: Healing Ourselves and All of Creation”: Warren Wilson College, 5:30-8 p.m., Sept. 24-25, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa
Sept. 25
Food for All: In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Food Lion Feeds, MANNA Food Bank will host this free grocery distribution 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 25, WNC Agricultural Center, Fletcher
“Heroes of Helene”: Asheville-Buncombe Chamber of Commerce, Explore Asheville and Highland Brewing, in partnership with Buncombe County and the city of Asheville, 4-7 p.m. Sept. 25, Highland Brewing Company, Asheville
From Helene to Here Benefit: Support Root Cause Farm in its mission to provide no-cost, locally grown produce to neighbors in need, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 25, Cultivated Cocktails Distillery & Tavern, Asheville
“Building Resilience through Community Partnerships”: Hosted by Warren Wilson College, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 25, Gladfelter Student Center, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa
Marquee Take II: Grand Reopening Celebration: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 25, Marquee Asheville
Echoes of the Forest – Art Using Helene Trees: Hosted by Swannanoa Valley Museum, 6-7:15 p.m. Sept. 25, Givens Highland Farms, Black Mountain
Sept. 26
Glen Bridge River Park River Blessing: 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. Sept. 26-28, Arden
Primal Scream Club: 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. 9-9:30 a.m. Sept. 26, Craven Street Bridge, Asheville
Church Street Collaborative Service: 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. 4 p.m. Sept. 26, Central United Methodist Church, Asheville
Photos From Helene – Opening Reception: 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. 5-8 p.m. Sept. 26, Little Animals Space, Asheville
Remembering Helene: After a community dinner, this candlelit ceremony will include ritual, reflection, story, song, and an area for children to express themselves through art. 5:30-8:45 p.m., Sept. 26, Warren Wilson Chapel & Fellowship Hall, 101 Chapel Lane, Swannanoa
Helene Anniversary: Virtual Listen & Reconnect, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 26
Recovering: Reflecting on Love, Loss and Longing: 5-9 p.m. Sept. 26, NANU Gallery, Old Fort
Stronger Together: A Hurricane Helene Anniversary Fundraiser: Hosted by Board & Brush Creative Studio, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 26, Board & Brush Creative Studio, Asheville
Wood, Wonder & Renewal: A Fall Celebration at The Arboretum: Hosted by Echoes of the Forest, various times Sept. 26-Nov. 30, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
Pattie Gonia Presents: SAVE HER! – An Environmental Drag Show: Hosted by Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville
Sept. 27
After Helene: Reflections on Community Healing and Strength: 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, Swannanoa. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 27 and noon-5 p.m. Sept. 28
Still Strong – Fairview United: 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. 9:27 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27, Fairview Community Center, Fairview
Swannanoa River Blessing and Beacon Village Gatherings: 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 on Sept. 27. Blunt Pretzels will offer a free community meal and music beginning at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Short Sleeves Coffee will host a free kids’ art program in coordination with Asheville Creative Arts at 1 p.m.
Camp Noah: Elementary-age children who experienced Tropical Storm Helene can find comfort, healing, and hope through a day of songs, skits, and fun games. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27, Lutheridge Camp And Conference Center, Arden
Community Tree Giveaway: 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. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 27, Black Mountain Town Hall, Black Mountain
Helene One Year Later: Community Remembrance & Resilience Day: The library will host a series of events throughout the day that are centered on remembering the year since Helene and building resilience and community for the future. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27, East Asheville Library, Asheville
Volunteer Celebration and Community Party: 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. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 27, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Asheville
Celebrate Resiliency & Recovery: 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. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 27, Lake Louise Park, 1Weaverville
Community Cookout: 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. 2-7 p.m. Sept. 27, Silverados, Black Mountain
Barnardsville Rising!: Sponsored by the Barnardsville Area Resilience Network, the free barbecue and concert will feature Red Clay Strings, The Contractors, Wayne Buckner, and David Dye. 3 p.m. Sept. 27, Barnardsville Fire Department, Barnardsville
Helene Anniversary Service: 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. 3 p.m. Sept. 27, Lutheran Church of the Nativity, Arden
Climate Change and Social Justice in the Wake of Helene: The Rev. Dr. Patricia Tull and The 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. 3 p.m. Sept. 27, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, Black Mountain
Helene Anniversary Service: City Church of Asheville will host a worship service to mark one year after the storm’s impact on our community. 4 p.m. Sept. 27, Foster SDA Church, Asheville
Biltmore Forest Commemoration: Town residents are invited to commemorate the anniversary of Helene alongside neighbors and staff. The event will include a photo slideshow and story collection. 4-6 p.m. Sept. 27, Biltmore Forest Town Hall, Asheville
Reunion Concert: Swannanoa-based nonprofit The Blessing Project will host an evening of music, reflection, and hope. 6 p.m. Sept. 27, Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Asheville
Bee Tree Candlelight Vigil: The Swannanoa Fire Department will host a candlelight vigil to remember the 43 lives lost in Buncombe County and honor the community’s resilience. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, Bee Tree Fire Station, Swannanoa
Anniversary Concert: 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. 7 p.m. Sept. 27, First Baptist Church of Asheville, Asheville
At 6 p.m., a free barbecue meal will be served in the sanctuary parking.
Hurricane Helene Resilience & Reflection Ceremony: Hosted by McDowell County Emergency Management Services. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 27, Old Fort Elementary School, Old Fort
Forest Bathing Retreat: Healing after the Storm: Hosted by Asheville Wellness Tours. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 27, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
Helene: One Year of Healing: Hosted by Brevard Music Center, the event will feature a free regional gathering with workshops, story-sharing, live music and a community meal. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sept. 27, Brevard
The Reunion Concert: Hosted by The Blessing Project, a powerful evening of music, reflection, and hope. 6 p.m. Sept. 27, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville
Helene Anniversary Show: Rising Appalachia is is performing two Helene Anniversary shows with support from Sparrow Smith, Meschiya Lake and the Mini Moodswingers and Castanea. 6 p.m. Sept. 27-28, Pisgah Brewing Company, Black Mountain
Remembrance Ceremony: In Haywood County, officials will hold a remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 27 on the steps of the historic courthouse in Waynesville. County leaders said the event will honor the lives lost and recognize first responders, volunteers and community partners who helped in the recovery.
Thank You Celebration: An event to thank the Broad River Volunteer Fire Department and residents for their efforts during Helene. Free food, live music and kids. games. 3-6 p.m. Sept. 27, Broad River Fire Department, Black Mountain
Sept. 28
Hearts with Hands Sunday Service: The nonprofit will hold a service to remember the storm and honor the resilience, recovery, and hope that came out of it. 10:15 a.m. Sept. 28, Trinity Baptist Church, Asheville
Celebration of Resiliency: This free community event celebrates healing, remembrance, and honor with live music as part of the Black Mountain Blues Festival. 2 p.m. Sept. 28, Black Mountain Town Square, Black Mountain
Sept. 30
Historic Preservation in the Wake of Helene: 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. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, East Asheville Library, Asheville
Oct. 2
Stronger Than the Storm: 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. 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2, Asheville Yards, Asheville
Oct. 8
Rising Above Helene, Film Documentary Screening: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Movie starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 8, East Asheville Library, Asheville
Officials across Western North Carolina emphasized the anniversary is a moment of solemn remembrance and a chance to strengthen community bonds for the future.