Your guide to family fun in Asheville and WNC this week

It’s a packed calendar this week, but don’t miss the upcoming events and programs that require tickets or registration now. August means all the things get back on the schedule, so you will want to plan ahead. Happy back to school! Find the tips you need to make it a wonderful year at wncparent.com .

Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com .

Get ready for these upcoming events and programs:

Tickets on sale now – Land of Oz in Beech Mountain, N.C. hosts the annual Autumn at Oz Festival, celebrating the 85th anniversary of the classic MGM film, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sept. 6 – 18, 13 – 15 and 20 – 22. Tickets and details are available at landofoznc.com .

Theater Classes are offered at Asheville Community Theatre. Registration is open. Classes begin in September. For details, visit ashevilletheatre.org .

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn classes begin in September for ages 3 months-5 years and their parent/caregiver. Classes are free, once a week, and meet for 90 minutes of free play, activity stations and a group circle time. Children must reside in Buncombe County and not be enrolled in regulated childcare. The program is inactive this summer, so dates, times and locations are still to be determined. In mid-August, email marna.holland@acsgmail.net for information about classes for ages 3-5 and grace.ragaller@acsgmail.net for information on the infant and toddler classes.

The 19 ^th annual WNC Run/Walk for Autism is Sept. 14 at Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher. This community event raises funds to support local autism programs. Deadline to register is noon Sept. 11.  For details, visit wncrunwalkforautism.com .

This weekend

Parents Night Out is 5:15 – 9 p.m. Aug. 16 at Asheville YMCA (30 Woodfin St.). A small snack will be provided. If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50. Questions? Contact Jenn Lawing, jlawing@ymcawnc.org , 828-552-3605. Visit ymcawnc.org and search “parents” for more information.

PAWS for Reading – Children can practice reading to a certified therapy dog at the Fletcher Library Aug. 17. Sign up for a 15 minute session by calling your preferred location. Today’s program is 10:30 a.m. – noon. Call 828-687-1218.

Plant Club Pop-Up Market is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at Art Garden AVL,

Riverview Station. Admission and parking are free. Visit artgardenavl.com .

Kids’ Night Out is 6 – 10 p.m. Aug. 17 at Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts. It features crafts, games, a movie and pizza. For elementary ages. Open to the public. Register online at martialartsasheville.com/kids-night-out-2 .

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023 .

This week

Story Time in the Park is 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Aug. 20 at Carrier Park. Designed for the whole family. Prepare to get messy. Meet under the picnic shelter at Carrier Park. For details, call 828-250-4720, email library@buncombecounty.org or visit

buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/default.aspx?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D174704102 .

Kids Garden Program - Extension Master Gardeners is at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20 at the Leicester Library. Grades K – 5. Learn about gardening from Extension Master Gardener volunteers. These interactive programs will include books and a craft activity. Weather permitting, most of the time will be spent in the Leicester Giving Garden. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org .

Story Time is 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Aug. 21 at the Asheville YMCA (30 Woodfin St.). Join in for story time with Jen from the Leicester Library. Each month features a new theme with stories, crafts, songs, and interactive activities. This is a free event located in the Youth Development Center. Questions? Contact Jenn Lawing, jlawing@ymcawnc.org , 828-552-3605. Visit ymcawnc.org/schedules/events/story-time-4 .

Puppet Playtime is 10 – 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21 at the East Asheville Library. Parental supervision required. Call 828-250-4738 or email eastasheville.library@buncombecounty.org .

Hora Del Cuento/Bilingual Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 21 at the Enka-Candler Library. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/branch-locations/enka-candler.aspx .

Play-Doh Club meets from 11 a.m. – noon Aug. 21 at the Enka-Candler Library. No registration is necessary, and supplies will be provided. All you need to do is show up ready to play, build and create. Recommended for ages 3 and older, but all are welcome. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/branch-locations/enka-candler.aspx .

Asheville Junior Theater presents “Into the Woods JR.” at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 – 23, at 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 24, and at 1 and 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Tina McGuire black box theater at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and details, visit worthamarts.org/events/into-the-woods-jr .

St. Gerard House hosts Family Group Night at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 22 at Grace Lutheran Church. Family Group Night (FGN) is a free support meeting for whole families experiencing special needs. This group is not diagnosis specific and is open to families living in Henderson and surrounding counties. This month, learn about family benefits. Register at stgerardhouse.org/familygroupnight or learn more at facebook.com/stgerardhouse .

Register now:

Parents Night Out is 5 – 8:45 p.m. Aug. 23.

• Ferguson Family YMCA (31 Westridge Market Place, Candler) – Kathy Lehman, klehman@ymcawnc.org , 828-575-2929.
• Hendersonville Family YMCA (810 6th Ave. W., Hendersonville) – Adriana Argueta, aargueta@ymcawnc.org , 828-697-9622
• Reuter Family YMCA (3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville) – Brittney Gasperson, bgasperson@ymcawnc.org , 828-210-2263

If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50.

Parents Night Out is 4 – 7:45 p.m. Aug. 24 at Black Mountain YMCA (25 Jane Jacobs Road, Black Mountain). A small snack will be provided. If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50. Questions? Contact: Lizzy Wheeler, lwheeler@ymcawnc.org , 828-552-3624. Visit ymcawnc.org and search “parents” for more information.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Your guide to family fun in Asheville and WNC this week