Remembering 9/11, Celebrating Asheville's Spirit, and Community Resilience

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Thursday, September 11, 2025. As the sun rises over the mountains, today begins with moments of remembrance. It’s the 24th anniversary of September 11th, and Asheville is joining communities across Western North Carolina to honor the lives lost and the first responders who stepped up in our nation’s darkest hours. The Asheville Fire Department is hosting a Remembrance Ceremony at 8:45 this morning at the Municipal Building, complete with opening remarks from Chief Mike Cayse, a moment of silence, the ringing of bells, and the raising of flags. Many neighboring towns, like Weaverville and Hendersonville, have ceremonies planned as well, inviting everyone to pause and reflect on the real people and stories connected to the day. If you’re looking to engage with the community in other ways, Asheville continues to be a hub for creativity and fun. The NC Mountain State Fair is going strong through September 14 at the WNC Ag Center, offering agricultural exhibits, rides, food from farm to fried, and family-friendly entertainment. It’s a fall tradition for many locals and promises plenty of nostalgia and excitement, so carve out some time to wander the midway and celebrate the region’s agricultural roots. For those with a taste for ancient adventure, the extraordinary Tutankhamun exhibition at the Biltmore reveals the treasures and drama of one of history’s greatest discoveries—showcasing Egyptian myths alongside local Vanderbilt history in a blend you’ll only find here. There’s live music to catch tonight and through the weekend, from jazz trios at All Day Darling’s patio to venues hosting everything from indie rock to high-energy dance parties. On tap at Third Room is “Spirit of Color: The Artworks of Ashley Spero,” and if you’re craving something hands-on, the River Arts District is home to the Pyrography wood burning workshop with Chalkley Matlack this afternoon at 4, plus Jay Pond’s glasswork experience at the North Carolina Glass Center. Asheville is channeling its sense of resilience in other powerful ways, too. In the wake of last year’s Hurricane Helene, the city has joined the American Flood Coalition, working on disaster preparedness and equitable recovery for all neighborhoods. This move is more than symbolic; it’s opening doors to vital federal resources and making Asheville part of a statewide effort to weather storms with unity. In the news, a recent head-on collision on local roads has brought sorrow to our community, reminding us all to drive with extra care. Meanwhile, the city has started formal review on an application to bring a Costco to Enka-Candler—so for warehouse fans, change might be on the horizon. And don’t forget to enjoy the small moments that make Asheville shine: stroll the farmers markets, try the apple cannon and cider donuts at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, or just gather with neighbors during Emergency Preparedness Month. Get to know your bl This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.