5 Things We Love about the Living Asheville Arts Festival (LAAF)

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The Living Asheville Arts Festival (LAAF), formerly the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF), returns in style this weekend at locations downtown. Lexington Ave., the true heart of the festival, will be pumping with the best in food, drink, and entertainment from 11 am - 9 pm on Sunday, September 3 during this family-friendly event. Haven't been to LAAF? Or perhaps it's been a while? We'll help you get excited. Here are the top five things we're most jazzed about for this year's LAAF: 5. The Food Getting your fill of street food is a highlight of any festival. This year, LAAF will have many choices on hand, including food trucks like Purple People Feeder, Bun Intended, and Gypsy Queen, restaurant vendors that include Mela, Mountain Madre, and Dogma Dogs, and drink and dessert vendors like the swoon-worthy Sunshine Sammies, along with longtime refreshment providers The Hop Ice Cream and Buchi Kombucha. 4. The Candidates' Corner LAAF is providing a unique way to meet your local city council and mayoral candidates—at the festival. The Candidates' Corner is a meet and greet space that will also have on-site voter registration. Happening from 1-3 p.m., exact location TBD. 3. The Vendors I always start my holiday shopping at LAAF. Yeah, it's early, but when else are this many local arts- and crafts-people going to be in the same place again? 2. The Music Sets all day from local shining stars like Natural Born Leaders, The Moon and You, Matt Townsend and the Wild Lights, Bombassic, Jordan Okrend Experience, Nex Millen, Jane Kramer, and more.

1. The Fashion Show 10 designers will showcase three looks, plus jewelry and accessories, at this first-ever LAAF Fashion Show. The theme is summer or fall street attire designed and produced in town. The show is scheduled for 6:15 - 7:15 pm. and one to grow on.... It's back! We were super sad that this festival ever went on hiatus. Lexington Ave. has always been one of the most vibrant and storied parts of downtown, and this festival made it even better with its top-notch musical acts, family-friendly focus, and spontaneous art and community making! Welcome back, LAAF! We're glad to have you around. For more information, visit LAAF's Facebook event page here. LAAF is a free event.