Arts, music + education-focused Xpand Fest hits the South Slope on Saturday, June 9. It’s the second year of the full-day free festival, which creates community by linking culture, arts + non-profits in Asheville. The fest also shows its local love by featuring Asheville-based acts, speakers, artists + vendors, and by focusing on sustainable growth + development in the city. 🎉

This year, Xpand Fest will feature the CommUnity Stage dedicated to furthering the mission of festival through educational, interactive panels + presentations. The goal of all the events on the stage is to inspire community connection, which is reflected in the festival’s inclusion of local cultural + community organizations, including Descubre Asheville, Word on the Street/ La Voz de los Jóvenes, Hood Huggers International, Bountiful Cities, Date My City + The Urban News.

Events at the stage include a pet fashion show + adoption, a performance from Asheville Vaudeville, and panels on sustainability as it relates to renewables, the beer industry, living a creative life + cultural inclusivity.

Here’s the full schedule

12:30–1 p.m.: Rescue Dog Fashion Show presented by Patton Ave Pet Company & Mountain Pet Rescue

1:30–2 p.m.: Get your Activism On: How to take Affirmative Action in Asheville by Community Roots

2:30–3 p.m.: Carnival Variety Show presented by Asheville Vaudeville

3:30–4 p.m.: Hip-Hop & Healing presented by Bountiful Cities

4:30–5 p.m.: The Urban Apple Orchard: From History to Modern Day

5:30–6:30 p.m.: Artist in the Round Presented by Ten Cent Poetry

6:45–7:45 p.m.: Community Media Mixer hosted by Date my City

Will we see you on the South Slope? We’re so excited about the full schedule of fabulous music, arts + creative educational events. Cheers to Xpand Fest! 🍻