Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. That’s why the Hendersonville Fire Department is partnering with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free® Initiative to raise awareness for Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 23.

“Our Fire Department responded to 3,227 medical related calls in 2018,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief Joseph Vindigni. “Many of these calls involved adults who had fallen and needed medical attention.”

Falls may be a leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and older, but they are not an inevitable part of aging. The Hendersonville Fire Department is providing the following tips and reminders to educate older adults and their caregivers on ways to reduce slips, trips and falls.

• Find a good balance and exercise program to build balance, strength, and flexibility.
• Talk to your health care provider to assess your risk of falling and be sure to share your history of balance issues and recent falls.
• Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling; always take medications as prescribed.
• Get your vision and hearing checked annually and keep your eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions up to date.
• Keep your home safe by taking the following precautions:
  • Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways.
  • Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas.
  • Secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing — or remove loose rugs from your home.
  • Repair loose, wooden floorboards and carpeting right away.
  • Store clothing, dishes, food and other necessities within easy reach.
  • Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease or food.
  • Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower. Use a bath seat, which allows you to sit while showering.
  • Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways and place a lamp within reach of your bed for middle-of-the-night needs.
  • Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.
  • Follow your doctor’s recommendation to use a cane or walker to help keep you steady.
  • Have handrails, non-slip treads, grab bars in the shower or tub, and other assistive devices installed in your home.
• Enlist the support of family members, neighbors and friends to help you stay safe.

“Falls prevention is a team effort that requires participation from older adults, caregivers, health professionals, educators, as well as first responders,” said Chief Vindigni. “We want people to take preventative steps now, before they become a victim of a preventable fall.”  

Additional resources from the National Council on Aging are available at www.ncoa.org/FPAD and on the Henderson County Council on Aging’s website at https://coahc.org/

Walk Along The Greenway To Learn About Trees

On Saturday, October 5, at 10 a.m., a  Guided Tree Walk Along the Oklawaha Greenway will focus on identifying and understanding trees, especially those native to the area.  The program is open to the public at no charge.  Meet at Patton Park in the circular pavilion near the basketball courts.  The walk will take about 90 minutes, returning to Patton Park.  The hike will be held rain or shine.  The program is co-sponsored by Hendersonville Tree Board and Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway.

Mark Madsen, a member of the Tree Board and an ISA Certified Arborist, will lead the walk.  The tour will start by looking at trees in Patton Park that are suitable for home gardens and then move on to look at many species of native trees in the wetland forest along Mud Creek.

Oklawaha Greenway is a three-mile-long paved walkway meandering through meadows, wetlands, and forests, and linking Jackson Park, Patton Park, and Berkley Park.  The walk will be along a portion of this greenway. 

“The Oklawaha Greenway is popular for recreation, transportation, and family outings,” said Suzanne Hale, a member of the Friends group.  “Especially in autumn, it provides an excellent outdoor classroom to learn more about our native trees.” 

Hendersonville Tree Board is commissioned by the City of Hendersonville to provide advice on the selection and care of trees and shrubs in public places.  The Tree Board also educates the public concerning the economic and aesthetic benefits of trees and shrubs for the community.  The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Hendersonville as a Tree City USA for 25 years because of its high level of tree care.  The city became a Bee City USA in 2015.

For more information about the Guided Tree Walk Along the Greenway contact Suzanne Hale, Friends of Oklawaha Greenway, at halesuzanne@hotmail.com.               

Officer Keenan Nesbitt received the following Letter of Commendation announcing him as Hendersonville Police Department’s most recent Employee of the Quarter. We congratulate Officer Keenan Nesbitt on this well-deserved recognition.

Keenan Nesbitt
A Letter of Commendation
In Recognition for Services as Set Forth Herein

We take great pleasure in recognizing you as the Hendersonville Police Department Employee of the Quarter, for the period of May 1, 2019 to August 31, 2019. This selection was based on your demonstrated, sustained, superior performance in the execution of your duties during the period noted above.

From the early days of your employment with us several of your peers, supervisors, city business proprietors, and citizens at large have lauded you in concert about the way you interact with them in executing your duties. More recently in your duties as Business District Officer, we have noticed you serving people with empathy and with detail. Just as impressive have been your resiliency and the humble confidence you project at this point in your career. For example, you assumed the diplomatic assignment of Business District Officer shortly after being involved in an incident where extreme use of force actions by you were necessary early in your policing career. Your renewal and resurgence after this have been remarkable.

You have established yourself as a committed reliable team player for our department Keenan. Your decency and your professional drive reflect great credit upon yourself, the Hendersonville Police Department, and the City of Hendersonville.

Herbert Blake, Chief of Police
Barbara Volk, Mayor

Mulch giveaway is scheduled to resume in mid-September and will continue until November 2. Beginning Thursday, September 19, the City will have a backhoe operator on site at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant at 80 Balfour Road on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The last day for this year’s giveaway will be Saturday, November 2. The giveaway will begin again in Spring of 2020. The times will be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon on Saturdays.

For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 828-697-3084.

Guide for Composting at Home

National Child Passenger Safety Week is taking place this week and the Hendersonville Fire Department would like to remind parents and caregivers to ensure children are secured in a properly installed child safety seat.

“We know proper child safety seat installation is critical to protecting and saving the lives of children involved in car crashes,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief Joseph Vindigni. “Our Fire Department is committed to working with caregivers to provide education and offer safety seat installation assistance.”

According to Safe Kids North Carolina, motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19. Of those children ages 12 and under who died in vehicle crashes in 2017, nearly 40% were not restrained.

Children ages 2 to 5 who use safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious injury if in an accident.

Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed September 15-21 Child Passenger Safety Week in North Carolina with Child Passenger Safety Day occurring on September 21.

Both Hendersonville Fire Stations are Child Passenger Safety Check Stations. All fire department staff members are Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians ready to assist the public with proper safety seat installation.

If parents, grandparents or caregivers are having even the slightest trouble with a child safety seat or have questions or concerns, please stop by the following locations for assistance:

Fire Station 1 – 851 N. Main Street – 10am-7pm

Fire Station 2 – 632 Sugarloaf Road – 10am-7pm

For more information contact the Hendersonville Fire Department at (828) 697-3024 or visit their website at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/fire-department

The City of Hendersonville is embarking on a process to evaluate and update the City’s stormwater utility structure. Earlier this year during their annual budget retreat, City Council received an update on the stormwater program and Wash Creek Master Plan. Changes to the current utility were discussed with the goal of increasing the annual stormwater budget in order to fund capital improvements to the existing stormwater system and invest in future stormwater management.

“We are conducting a stormwater utility rate study and will be reaching out to stakeholders for feedback,” said Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman. “The goal of the study is to evaluate program needs and engage with our customers to create a fair and equitable utility that meets the needs and desires of City leadership and our citizens.”

The City of Hendersonville’s Stormwater Program is a federal and state mandated program under the Clean Water Act to address non-point source pollution from stormwater runoff. Hendersonville is a federally designated NPDES Phase II community and operates under the authority of the Stormwater Management Program which became effective in August of 2007. The City’s NPDES Permit consists of six management areas aimed at reducing stormwater pollution and ensuring clean water is maintained in our city’s water bodies. These include closely managing and maintaining the public stormwater drainage system, eliminating illegal dumping, enforcing the city’s stormwater ordinance, and involving the public in these processes.

The federal government requires the city to designate a steady source of revenue to support the operation of the Stormwater Program. This revenue is commonly collected through a stormwater fee or utility. The majority of NPDES communities in NC have an established stormwater fee.

Currently, the City collects a $3.00 flat fee from all water/sewer customers within the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). As the City continues to grow a greater demand is being placed on the stormwater system and overall Stormwater Management Program. The past several years have highlighted a need for significant capital improvements to the existing stormwater system and substantial investments in future stormwater management. Currently, the revenue generated by the City’s stormwater utility is not able to support these costs. Therefore, the City is planning to restructure the stormwater utility to better address the financial needs of the stormwater program.

The City has contracted a consultant who specializes in developing stormwater utility rates to assist in these updates. The City will be reaching out directly to large, non-residential customers for feedback in developing the new utility structure and a recommendation will be brought to City Council for consideration.

Residential customers are also being asked to provide feedback through a short online survey.

Participants who complete the survey before September 30, 2019 will be entered to win a free “Ivy” 50-gallon rain barrel valued at a retail cost of more than $100. One survey participant will be selected at random and contacted to claim their rain barrel.

More information on the City’s Stormwater Management Program

The City of Hendersonville encourages residents to practice simple steps to be ‘cart smart’ about recycling. Putting non-recyclable items in recycling carts causes contamination and raises costs for facilities across the state. 

Recycle Right Infographic

“Recycling is a long-standing method of reducing waste in our local landfills while conserving our natural resources,” said Public Works Director Tom Wooten. “It’s important to recycle the right way and improve the quality of material being collected. Knowing what can and cannot go into the cart is vital to maintaining Hendersonville’s recycling program and aiding North Carolina’s thriving recycling industry.”

Curbside recycling pick-up is free for City of Hendersonville residents. Those customers who actively recycle are eligible to receive a deduction on their garbage bill.

When well-meaning residents put non-recyclable items in their recycling cart or bin, it causes contamination of the recycling mix. That means local material recovery facilities must spend more time and money to sort out the rising levels of non-recyclables and trash. Foreign countries that were previously a market for poorly sorted U.S. recyclables have tightened quality standards. Recyclables now need to be cleaner to meet the new international quality requirements or, better yet, be redirected for use by domestic manufacturers with similar high-quality standards.

To help make recycling more efficient, City of Hendersonville residents should remember these simple tips:

•           Place empty cans, bottles, paper and cardboard in the recycling cart. Keep everything else out. 

•           Do not bag your recyclable items.

•           Do not put plastic bags, cords, hoses and other string-like items in the recycling bin as they can tangle around rotating equipment.

•           Avoid putting other things that could be hazardous to workers who sort recycling – like batteries, needles, sharp objects and food residue – into the recycling cart.

•           Do not put Styrofoam cups and containers in the recycling cart.

•           When in doubt, throw it out!

To help residents be ‘cart smart,’ the City of Hendersonville is participating in the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Recycle Right NC education campaign. The City will be providing reminders to their customers and posting information on their webpage and social media channels.

City of Hendersonville’s Recycling Program

Environmental Resources Guide - English 

Environmental Resources Guide - Spanish

Hendersonville’s garden-like Main Street displays an outstanding variety of trees and shrubs creating, in essence, a linear park. On Sunday, September 15, at 2:30 p.m., Arborist Bill Leatherwood will discuss the care and maintenance and types of plants and trees that thrive in landscaped, restrictive areas such as the beds and containers on Main Street. Space is limited for the 90-minute walk.  Make reservations by Thursday, September 12, by phoning Judy Frank at 828-713-6807. Details will be provided. The walk is open to the public at no charge. 

Leatherwood, an arborist contracted by the City of Hendersonville to care for downtown trees, is intimately involved with tree care and maintenance along the downtown artery and has inventoried each tree and shrub.

“The character of Main Street comes from the trees and garden-like setting as much as the sidewalk cafes and historic buildings,” Leatherwood explained.  “We will identify some unusual trees and see how the City and the downtown business district have planted and maintained trees over the years to enhance the beauty of this ‘front yard’ of Hendersonville.”

Hendersonville Tree Board – sponsor of this event -- is commissioned by the City of Hendersonville to provide advice on the selection and care of trees and shrubs in public places.  The Tree Board also educates the public concerning the economic and aesthetic benefits of trees and shrubs for the community.  The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Hendersonville as a Tree City USA for 26 years because of its high level of tree care.  In 2018 the N.C. Forest Service recognized the city as Tree City of the Year in North Carolina.  The municipality has been a designated Bee City USA since 2015.    

Phone Tree Board member Judy Frank at 828-713-6807 by Thursday, September 12, to make a reservation.  

Learn more about Hendersonville Tree Board and its projects.

Update - September 3, 2019:

This year's resurfacing project is underway with several streets having been completed by the City's contractor Tarheel Paving. Also, the Public Works Department has released the names of additional streets that will be added to this year's paving list. These streets were chosen not only because of their condition but because of their proximity to other streets that were already on the resurfacing list. This approach keeps mobilization costs to a minimum for the City.

Additional Streets to be resurfaced:

• S. Pine from 1st Ave E to end maintenance
• 2nd Avenue E between King and Grove
• 3rd Avenue E between King and Grove
• Hyman Avenue from N Main to end maintenance
• Scott St from Hyman Avenue to mid-block

For questions about this project, please call Public Works at (828) 697-3084.

August 21, 2019:

During the months of August, September, and October the City of Hendersonville will be doing maintenance on several different streets within the City. The extent of the maintenance will vary depending on the situation. Some streets may simply be given a new layer of asphalt overlaying the existing surface, while other streets may be milled down before a layer of new asphalt is applied.

Construction should begin this week with the majority of the work to be completed by early October. However, a portion of the overall project will not be completed until late fall or early spring. The paving contractor will be Tarheel Paving of Hendersonville and they will communicate with businesses and residents with a more specific schedule as it pertains to their street. The lists of streets being affected are as follows:

Streets to be resurfaced:

• 5th Ave from King St to Harris St
• Harris St from Hwy 64 to 4th Ave
• 6th Ave from Williams to dead end
• 4th Ave from Main to Pine
• Walnut Tree from 5th Ave to cul-de-sac dead end
• Grove St from 6th Ave to 4th Ave
• Grove St from 1st Ave to Allen St
• Allen St from Grove St to end maintenance
• 1st Ave from Grove to RR crossing
• Grove St from 7th Ave to Bearcat Blvd
• Bearcat from N Main to Locust
• 8th Ave from Locust St to Maple St
• Maple St from 8th Ave to Laurel St
• Lynn St from Locust St to Maple St
• 9th Ave from Locust St to Maple St
• Highland Ave from 9th Ave to Laurel St
• Laurel St from Highland Ave to Locust St
• Algeria from Highland Ave to Locust St

Note: Additional streets may be added if funds are available.

For questions about this project, please call Public Works at (828) 697-3084.

As monarch butterflies gather across the U.S. during September and begin their annual flight toward Mexico, a series of pollinator education events are planned featuring our Monarch travelers.  Across Western North Carolina we will see them flitting about during the course of their southbound migration.  Hendersonville Bee City USA is sponsoring the programs at various locations.

Pollinator Workshop: Monarchs, Milkweed & More! 

Tuesday, September 10, 6 – 7:30 PM

Presented by:  Sow True Seed (https://sowtrueseed.com) and Milkweed Meadows Farm (Fruitland, NC)   

As part of Sow True Seed's 2019 Educational Series, Milkweed Meadows Farm presents a workshop on the life cycle and habitat needs of monarch butterflies.  Learn about the unique flower structure of milkweeds, identify native milkweed species in western NC,  see milkweed seed harvesting and propagating methods, and discover other species in the milkweed community. 

Location:  Sow True Seed, 243 Haywood St, Asheville

Audience Served:  Adults

Cost: $10 class - includes a milkweed plant and a choice of flower seed packet. $5 of each ticket will be donated to the “Bring the Hive Alive!”  initiative to raise awareness of pollinators by painting a bee mural in downtown Hendersonville.
Registration: Registering at the event link below.

Event Link:  https://sowtrueseed.com/collections/events

Planting for Pollinators (Henderson County Beekeepers Association Monthly Meeting. Open to the Public)

Monday, September 16, 7 – 9 PM

Presented by: Henderson County Beekeepers Association (http://hcbeekeepers.org/) and Bee City USA – Hendersonville (https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/bee-city)

During the program portion of the meeting, Bee City USA – Hendersonville Coordinator Kim Bailey, will show how to create gardens to meet the habitat needs of honey bees, native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.  Using native and locally suited plants as examples, Kim will discuss specific characteristics (shape, structure, color, odor, bloom time, nectar composition, pollen traits, etc.) of flowers adapted to attract particular types of pollinators.  Also learn how to support pollinators year-round and throughout their various life stages by planting host plants for local butterfly species including monarchs, swallowtails, and fritillaries; creating nesting sites for native bees; and providing overwintering habitats.

Location: Henderson County Center, NC Cooperative Extension, 100 Jackson Park Rd, Hendersonville

Audience Served:  All ages

Cost:  Free

Registration: None required

Event Link:  http://hcbeekeepers.org/hcba-calendar-of-events/

Monarch Butterfly Day

Saturday, September 28, 10 AM – 4 PM

Presented by: The North Carolina Arboretum (https://www.ncarboretum.org/)

Millions of monarch butterflies travel more than 2,000 miles from across North America to Mexico each fall, where they cluster in about a dozen small areas. Unfortunately, the monarch population declined from 556 million in 2004 to a historic low of 33.5 million in 2014. This is due to the butterflies’ dramatic loss of habitat and food sources, including the milkweed plant. As part of a national effort to reverse the decline of monarch butterflies, The North Carolina Arboretum will host its fifth annual Monarch Butterfly Day on Saturday, September 28, inside the Education Center and throughout the gardens. Participants will learn ways to help monarch butterflies, may purchase milkweed plants, can create make-and-take butterfly crafts, and witness monarch butterfly releases. 

Location: The North Carolina Arboretum Education Center, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville

Audience Served: All ages

Cost: Free event. Standard Arboretum parking fees apply ($14 per personal vehicle).  Parking is free for Arboretum Society members.

Registration: None required

Event Link: https://www.ncarboretum.org/event/monarch-butterfly-day/

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Ongoing

Presented by: Bee City USA – Hendersonville (https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/bee-city)
The kit is available for loan at no charge for educators, teachers, naturalists, gardeners, park rangers, camp counselors, outdoor/environmental educators, home-school parents, childcare professionals, and more!  Bee City USA – Hendersonville wants to share the wonder of pollinators with children and their teachers. Appropriate for exploring your  backyard, schoolyard, or local park.  The Pollinator Exploration Kit includes sets of 12  child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses.  Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated field guides  are also included.  As available, the kit is available for loan for up to a week.
Location: Kit may be picked up (reservation required) and returned on weekdays from 9 AM - 5 PM at the City of Hendersonville Operations Center, 305 Williams Street, Hendersonville

Audience: Educators of all kinds
Cost: Free
Registration: Please email beecityhendersonville@gmail.com to check availability and reserve the dates you’d like to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

Bring the Hive Alive! Downtown Bee Mural Initiative   
Ongoing

Presented by: Bee City USA – Hendersonville (https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/bee-city) Hands On! Children’s Museum (http://handsonwnc.org/) and the community.

Funds are being raised to create a way-larger-than-life-size bee mural on the downtown building of Hands On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville.  The mural will be painted by the nonprofit national organization The Good of the Hive.  Bee City USA - Hendersonville is partnering with Hands On! Children’s Museum, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, community members and The Good of the Hive (www.thegoodofthehive.com) to make this happen.  Donations are tax-deductible. Donate securely at http://handsonwnc.org/hive or mail checks (payable to HANDS ON!) to 318 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Bee mural sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Location:  The mural will be painted on the Hands On! Building facing the Azalea  Parking Lot.

Questions: Email beecityhendersonville@gmail.com or call 828-697-8333 ext.223

With the upswing in economic development, the streets in the 7th Avenue district are alive with activity. Especially this Saturday, August 31, as the Local Market shares its space with the King Street Tailgate Market vendors to showcase all things grown, created or produced in Western North Carolina.

Located only three blocks from the North Carolina Apple Festival on Main Street, enjoy a slower pace at the Local Market by catching the trolley at the First Citizens Bank or by taking a short walk down Fifth Ave E to Maple Street.

The Local Market, open from 8:00 am to noon, will showcase over 40 vendors lining the cobblestone street with locally grown and handcrafted items in front of the beautifully restored Historic Depot. A live performance by Hendersonville’s own Collin Cheek and a Kids Zone area are also planned.

Pick up fresh ingredients for your evening meal and enjoy shopping for gifts of handcrafted specialty foods knowing you are supporting small local producers and creators of artisan products. 

While you are at the market, step inside the historic Train Depot and check out the amazing model trains as you let your mind wander back to the day when this area was the heartbeat of commerce in Hendersonville. As folks did years ago at the Depot, you might also be lucky enough to hear some local stories.

Dalleen Jackson, Event and Promotions Coordinator for the City of Hendersonville’s Main Street Program shared how excited she is to include the Tailgate vendors at the Local Market this year: “Growing the number and variety of vendors at this market is exciting for shoppers! Our local farmers have some of the most beautiful produce, and short of picking it yourself, you sure can’t get it any fresher than from a local farmer early on a Saturday morning! It’s all local and it’s all here at the Local Market at the Depot!”

Downtown Hendersonville Information

The City of Hendersonville held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on August 23, 2019 to celebrate the opening of their new Public Works Maintenance Building. The facility located on N. Main Street will house the City’s Building and Grounds Maintenance personnel as well as the tools, equipment, mowers and tractors used to keep city-maintained buildings, parks, and green space looking attractive and welcoming.

“The need for an updated facility was brought to the attention of City Council” said Mayor Barbara Volk. “We are very proud of our Public Works Department and the services they provide the residents and visitors to our City.”

City Manager John Connet welcomed a large crowd of community members and staff as well as contractors and vendors who played a role in bringing the facility to fruition. He recognized Lu Ann Welter, Human Resources Coordinator, and Ernesto Alcantar, a former City intern, for their work in initiating the process for maintenance crews to have a building that creates a safer and more efficient work environment.

Public Works Director Tom Wooten and Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman spoke about the building’s purpose and features including stormwater management elements like rain capturing cisterns that are included in the building’s design. City Engineer Brent Detwiler highlighted the N. Main Sidewalk project that was completed concurrently with the facility which adds 1,000 feet of new sidewalk, a pedestrian bridge over Mud Creek and a 4.7-acre pollinator site to the area.

Mayor Barbara Volk highlighted the vision of City Councilmembers and expressed appreciation to citizens for making this greatly needed project a reality. The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting facilitated by Bob Williford and the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

Maintenance and Sidewalk Project Fact Sheet

Apple Festival

On Friday, August 30th through Monday, September 2nd the annual North Carolina Apple Festival will be taking place in downtown Hendersonville. This event includes street closures which will begin on Thursday, August 29th at 5:00 pm with vendor set-up to follow at 6:00 pm. Main Street will be closed at that time between Caswell and 7th Avenue, with 6th Avenue remaining open for cross traffic. This portion of Main Street will be closed through the conclusion of the King Apple Parade on Monday, September 2nd which begins at 2:30 pm. City of Hendersonville Public Works will reopen Main Street following parade cleanup. Pets are not permitted at the Apple Festival or King Apple Parade and attendees are asked to leave animals comfortably at home. More information can be found at https://www.ncapplefestival.org/ 

Local Market

On Saturday, August 31, Downtown Hendersonville will be hosting a Local Market from 8am-12pm in front of the Historic Train Depot. Maple Street will be closed between 7th Avenue and the MLK overpass starting at 6am and reopened following event clean up. More information can be found at http://downtownhendersonville.org/4268-2/

The King Apple Parade

On Monday, September 2, the King Apple Parade will be taking place in downtown Hendersonville at 2:30pm. Street closures beyond the Main Street festival closure will occur to accommodate the parade route and parade staging areas.

Street closures:

9/2 at 11am:

• Southbound traffic traveling towards downtown on Asheville Hwy (US-25) will be diverted to Fleming St for Hwy 64 W and Church St connections
• Church St will be closed from 5 points to 7th Ave W
• Oakland St closed from Asheville Hwy (US-25) to 6th Ave W (US-64)
• Bearcat Blvd closed from Fleming St to N. Main St
• Buncombe St closed from Bearcat Blvd to 7th Ave W

9/2 at 2:15pm:

• Immediately before the parade, additional portions of Main Street will close from its southern intersection with King Street to the N. Main Street intersection at 5 points for the parade route.
• Motorists approaching the parade area will be directed to a detour route. Commercial truck traffic traveling inbound on 4 Seasons Blvd (US-64) will be rerouted via Duncan Hill/Signal Hill to reach Asheville Hwy (US-25).

The streets will reopen following the completion of the parade and festival clean up.

Additional information for parade participants and spectators can be found at https://www.ncapplefestival.org/

Join the City of Hendersonville for the 32nd Annual WNC Big Sweep River Clean Up. This event, taking place on September 21, is the area’s largest single-day river, stream and roadside cleanup involving local governments and organizations from across the region. The City of Hendersonville will be focusing efforts on the Mud Creek and is seeking volunteers to paddle downstream cleaning up trash as they go.

“Come spend a day on Mud Creek participating in the State’s largest river clean-up event,” said City of Hendersonville Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman. “This is a great opportunity to get outside and experience Mud Creek in a fun and different way while giving back to the community by improving the health of our waterways!”

Volunteers will be paddling from Jackson Park alongside the Oklawaha Greenway while removing trash from the river along the way. Participants will meet up with Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman at 10am before being shuttled to the stream. The City of Hendersonville can provide boats and gear for fifteen people, but individuals are encouraged to bring their own canoes or kayaks if they have them to allow even more people the opportunity to participate. Volunteers will be invited to an afterparty to celebrate the day’s accomplishments.

Volunteers must register before the event. Meet-up location, details on what to bring, and a registration link can be found at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/stormwater-projects

Join us for a fun day spent on the river while helping to improve the health of our waterways!

Effective October 1, 2019, the City of Hendersonville Customer Service Division will be updating their hours to 9am – 5pm (Monday through Friday).

This change will allow the Finance Department the administrative time necessary to implement new procedures and provide ongoing training to staff. As more customers complete transactions and requests online, customer service representatives will also use the 8am-9am hour to process online submissions from the previous evening before their attention is redirected to incoming calls and walk-up requests.

We will also be updating the mailing address and City Hall entrance to 160 6th Avenue East as we continue to make security and customer service improvements at City Hall.

These updates will assist staff in their ability to provide high quality service to our customers. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.