Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
So my question to you, loyal readers, is: is Brevard the coolest small town in Western North Carolina? Brevard definitely gets a boost in my book by hosting the Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mountain Song Festival. But there’s a lot to like in WNC’s small towns.
I like Sylva, with its City Lights book store and its Heinzelmännchen Brewery. I also like Waynesville and Weaverville, Hendersonville and Black Mountain. And so many more. They each have their own charm.
What’s your favorite small town in WNC, and why?
Press release here:
Readers of Budget Travel have nominated Brevard, North Carolina as one of “America’s Coolest Small Towns,” in an online poll. In all, over 147 nominations were made by readers. The editors of the publication have narrowed the list to 21 finalists located across the U.S. Brevard is the only small town in the southeastern United States that made the finals.
Fans can vote here. In current voting, Brevard holds down third place behind Ely, Minnesota and Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.
“When your town is surrounded by over 250 waterfalls, you have to admit, that’s pretty darn cool.” says Dee Dee Perkins, Chairman of the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority. “We’re encouraging everyone who is a fan of Brevard to go to the Budget Travel website and vote.”
In addition to being surrounded by so much natural beauty, Perkins talked about Brevard’s vibrant arts and culture scene, which includes a host of cutting-edge galleries and the iconic Brevard Music Center. “There aren’t many places where you can spend the day riding some of the best mountain bike trails in the U.S, sit down for a gourmet meal and still have time to take in an outdoor performance by a world-class symphony.”
That sentiment was echoed by Tammy Hopkins, Executive Director of the Transylvania County Community Arts Council.
“During the week I have the honor of working with artists, art businesses and arts organizations and putting on art events. Then I get to spend my weekends hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and camping. How cool is that?”
Prentiss Brewer, a Brevard transplant, is passionate about her adopted hometown. “After spending most of my childhood summers here, Brevard became my favorite place as an adult. My husband and I feel so fortunate to be able to raise our kids here. Besides, how can you not love a town where the Visitor’s Center puts out a water bowl for the local dog population?”
Brevard’s cool factor received a big boost this summer when actor and accomplished banjo player Steve Martin performed with the Steep Canyon Rangers at the Mountain Song Festival. Also contributing to Brevard’s coolness cred is the popular White Squirrel Festival, which honors the town’s unique population of formally-attired acorn gatherers.
I think Brevard is pretty cool town. Some may think it’s boring because they have a whole bunch of gift shops, but if you really hang out in Brevard you’ll see that it really is a good little town. I mean where else are you going to find White Squirrels?
Hallie sounds upset that the rubber stamp paris of the south didnt win it, you actually have to have an Identity to be a real town not a cheap xerox of every hipster place on earth.
I must respectfully disagree with Hallie. As a lifelong native of WNC, who has lived all throughout this region and also had greater perspective of living and working in "hot" and "trendy" towns such as Boulder, Durango, Bend, etc. I must say that Brevard is definitely the coolest small town in WNC. I lived in Brevard from 1998-2005 and spent my entire 20’s there while I taught at a progressive charter school.
Ten to fifteen minutes drivetime and you are in the heart of 150,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest, 10,000 acres of DuPont State Forest, 9,000 acres of Gorges State Park, or 11,000 acres of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness. 250 waterfalls, countless places to trail run, mountain bike, climb, paddle, fly fish, etc. Downtown a paved greenway links the commercial district to the entrance to Pisgah. Also, the city recently voted to preserve the old watershed above Brevard Music Center to provide a public park that will allow one to leave Main Street and walk on foot to connect with the Looking Glass Rock area in the heart of the forest.
In town, there are 4 coffeeshops, an artisan bakery, numerous artist galleries and co-ops, a climbing gym, a state of the art public library, an awesome independent bookstore, a gourmet/natural foods store to rival those in Asheville, great restaurants and pubs, and a 4-year liberal arts college plus much more.
Finally, sure there are grey hairs but show me a place in WNC where they are not flocking. In recent years, many cool and progressive younger folks and families have settled in Brevard. Now you will find numerous social groups, potlucks, a weekly Ultimate game, and a holistic elementary school founded recently by caring parents.
All in all…a lack of pretension, sarcasm, irony, and all the accoutrements that we sometimes call "reality" from our hip West Asheville hood. Quite refreshing if you ask me…
LOL . Brevard may be indeed cool if you over 70 years of age or you going to summer camp nearby!
Another one of these meaningless polls, posts & surveys.