This upcoming weekend, July 16–19 will be a busy weekend in downtown Asheville. The US Cellular Center Asheville is asking all guests and event goers to please plan ahead for parking options before traveling into downtown for any event. It is a best practice to plan for a primary parking space as well as a secondary option before leaving your home or hotel. Always allot extra time to park your vehicle and walk to the venue before the start time of your event.
The US Cellular Center will host the 68th annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands July 16–19. Hours for the event are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $8, or purchase a two-day pass for $12. Children under 12 get in free. Find more information at www.southernhighlandguild.org.
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium will host Awake! WNC July 17–19. Hours for the event are 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For information on that event visit scriptureawakening.com.
Also downtown the Asheville Downtown Association will host Downtown After 5 this Friday, the Pritchard Park Drum Circle will happen Friday evening and on Saturday evening Shindig on the Green takes place in Pack Square Park.
Parking in the downtown area is plentiful; however planning by the driver is required before entering downtown. Find information for parking, including a map and Google Maps links at USCellularCenterAsheville.com/Parking.
There are more than 700 on-street metered spaces in downtown Asheville. Cost is $1.25 per hour, and coins are accepted as well as payment by the Passport Parking app. Metered spaces are enforced from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Accessible handicapped parking for the events held at the US Cellular Center and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium is available at the surface parking lot directly across the street from the venue’s main entrance at 87 Haywood St., and on the fourth floor level of the Civic Center Garage.
For more information about these event and other upcoming events at the US Cellular Center Asheville, visit USCellularCenterAsheville.com.
Finally, residents who wish to avoid downtown parking during this busy weekend or anytime are reminded they also have the option of taking public transportation via a City bus. For bus schedules and other information about ART (Asheville Redefines Transit), visit ashevillenc.gov/Transit.
Photo: The Wall Street Garage has 232 spaces and is located off Otis Street between Wall Street and Battery Park Avenue.
