What is Herb Fest Asheville?
Herb Fest Asheville is the annual celebration where the city’s love for all things green, leafy, and slightly fragrant takes center stage. Imagine a festival that’s part farmers market, part herbalist’s paradise, and part quirky community gathering where even the plants seem to join in on the fun. It’s like a big hug for your senses, except the hug is made of basil and chamomile.
At Herb Fest, you’ll find everything from local herb farmers selling their freshest wares to artisans crafting herbal teas, soaps, and potions that promise to cure everything from the blues to your neighbor’s questionable lawn choices. There are workshops where you can learn to make your own herbal remedies (because who doesn’t want to be the neighborhood’s go-to for homemade calendula salve?) and live music that’s just the right vibe for swaying gently in the breeze while clutching a cup of organic lemongrass tea.
But let’s not forget the real stars of the show: the herbs. From rosemary that’s been massaged by monks (okay, maybe not, but it feels like it) to CBD-infused everything (this is Asheville, after all), the festival is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Oh, and there’s usually a plant petting zoo for the kids—or let’s be real, for the adults who just really love touching soft leaves. Just don’t overdo it on the free samples of that experimental herbal tea. Trust us.
Top Highlights of Herb Fest Asheville
Asheville, the city where the air smells like patchouli and the trees whisper secrets of the forest, hosts the most enchanting celebration of all things green and fragrant—Herb Fest Asheville. It’s like a music festival, but instead of guitars, everyone’s jamming with jars of artisanal basil jam and essential oils. If you’re ready to level up your herb game, here’s what you won’t want to miss.
Herb Vendors Galore: Because You Need That Rosemary-Infused Everything
The festival grounds transform into a wonderland of all things herbal. Vendors from far and wide gather to peddle their wares, from organic chamomile tea that’ll make you sleep like a baby (or a sedated sloth) to handmade sage smudge sticks that’ll cleanse your aura—or at least your kitchen. Don’t miss the guy selling rosemary-infused olive oil, honey, candles, and probably his firstborn if you ask nicely. It’s like he put rosemary in his soul.
Workshops: Become the Herb Expert Your Friends Will Tolerate
Ever wanted to learn how to make your own herbal remedies? Or perhaps how to properly pair herbs with your favorite cocktails? (Spoiler alert: it’s all of them.) The workshops at Herb Fest Asheville are the perfect place to channel your inner herbalist. Attend “Herb Your Enthusiasm: A Beginner’s Guide to Not Killing Your Plants” or “The Great Herb Heist: How to Steal the Show with Your Garden.” By the end, you’ll be the one at the dinner party explaining why thyme is the unsung hero of the spice rack.
Herb-Themed Shenanigans: Because Why Not?
Where else can you participate in a mass sage-burning ceremony, watch a live demonstration of herb-infused ice cream making, or pet a goat named Parsley? (Yes, Parsley the goat is a real thing—don’t question it.) There’s even a “Guess the Herb by Smell” contest, which is exactly as intense as it sounds. Pro tip: it’s not always rosemary.
