The Fletcher Firefly Festival features bands, food, drink and art

With over 40 vendors, 13 beers and four concerts, the only thing missing from the fifth annual Fletcher Firefly Festival this Saturday will be the legendary Blue Ghost Fireflies.

“The brewery doesn’t have any blue ghost fireflies, but we do get a lot of your typical fireflies / lightning bugs,” Jeremy Weber, general manager of Blue Ghost Brewing Co., the festival host. “The festival will not have firefly activities as we respect the preservation of this species.”

Blue ghost fireflies are true fireflies, or lightning bugs, unique in that the males glow blue near the ground in search of mates, as opposed to the more common flashing yellow bugs seen throughout the summer in the South.

They are rare and are only seen for about two to four weeks in some places in the mountains of North Carolina, some of which are in Henderson County.

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“The festival is called the Fletcher Firefly Festival because of the blue ghost fireflies native to WNC,” Weber explained. “When the founding families of Blue Ghost Brewing Co. first moved to the area over 10 years ago, it became an annual tradition to visit local forests and see fireflies glowing blue.”

This year, the organizers hope to attract around 1,000 guests. In recent years, the festival has attracted between 800 and 1,500 people.

“We expect there may be some covid hesitation this year,” Weber said.

“The main goal of the festival has always been to promote the arts by having local artists sell their art and having live music all day. Of course, we always promote our beer and launch new seasonal versions like our two special beers coming out on Saturday: “Where The Boat Leaves From” which is a toasted coconut lager made from nuts. hand-grilled organic coconut and a Watermelon Gose made from fresh watermelon.

“The additional vendors typically represent local businesses and nonprofits. We always like to give our neighbors the opportunity to promote their work and reach new audiences. It wouldn’t be a family festival without food and games! “

As one of Henderson County’s largest live music providers, Blue Ghost Brewing has lined up five musical groups for the day: soloists Sarah Tucker, Christina Chandler and Brian Hill and two groups, Modern Strangers and Pleasure Chest.

“Music is essential at the festival because it sets the mood for the day,” Weber said. “Our memories are connected to our senses and no great memory would be complete without good music. Music has always been a part of Blue Ghost.

“When you arrive at the festival, you can expect to see our 2.5 acre firefly field shrouded in vendors, surrounded by trees and lush greenery,” he continued. “At one end of the field you will find our main stage with one of our musicians playing live music. On the other side, you will find a micro-stage where solos will play between the biggest groups.

“There will be several food trucks as well as a number of vendors selling lemonade, charcuterie boards, candy, pickles, crushed ice, pretzels and more. Our own food truck, The Hungry Ghost , and our Hungry Ghost Grill will serve the festival- style food and burgers and fries.

“There will be families roaming the vendors, kids running and playing and leashed dogs abound. We hope this all takes place under blue skies and a bright yellow sun. This will be our biggest festival yet. . ”

There is no charge to attend the festival and hear the music. Food and drink, as well as artwork and other vendor items will be on sale. To purchase beer, guests will need to purchase a $ 2 bracelet, and half of the bracelet sales will be donated to the Hendersonville YMCA.

“We have a long-standing friendship with the Hendersonville Family YMCA and because they are a great example of an organization that promotes the well-being of families, family relationships and the building of strong families in our local community, we do not couldn’t think of a better group to donate half of our bracelet sales, ”Weber said.

The festival will start at 1 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.

Blue Ghost Brewing Co.

125 Underwood Road, Fletcher

Saturday June 26, 1 to 9:30 p.m., 5th Annual Fletcher Firefly Festival with Sarah Tucker (1 to 3 p.m.), Christina Chandler (3 to 4 p.m.), Modern Strangers (4 to 6 p.m.), Brian Hill (6 to 7 p.m., Pleasure Chest (7 p.m.) -21h), free entry

305 Salon & Restaurant

305 N. Main St., Hendersonville

Every Tuesday and Thursday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Bob Sherrill, singer, songwriter, guitarist

Every first and third Friday evening, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Geriatric Jukebox, husband and wife sing oldies but goodies

Appalachian Ridge Craft Hard Cider

749 ch. Chestnut Gap, Hendersonville

Friday June 25, 6-9 p.m., Wiregrass, Americana, bluegrass

Saturday June 26, 3 p.m.-6 p.m., Ken & Nichole, eclectic covers, pop, country, Americana

Bold rock cider

72 School House Road, Mills River

Friday June 25, 6 p.m., Canaan Cox, native of Hendo, singer, songwriter, pop, R&B, contemporary country

Saturday June 26, 3 p.m., Gin Mill Pickers, duo, eclectic mix of retro-fitted folk / rag, Americana, Piedmont Blues

Vineyards of the Burnt Shirt

2695 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville

Saturday June 26, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Eric Congdon, extraordinary WNC guitarist, eclectic, singer, originals, jams

Sunday June 27, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Mary Kenyon, indie folk singer, songwriter

Brewing Company D9

425 N. Main St, Hendersonville

Friday June 25, 7-10 p.m., Seth & Sara, husband and wife, originals, covers, rootsy

Dry Falls Brewing Co.

425 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville

Friday, June 25, 7 p.m., The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs, folk, Americana

Saturday June 26, 7 p.m., Billingsley, trio of brothers, rock-plus

Guidon Brewery

415 8th Avenue East, Hendersonville

Thursday June 24, 7-9 p.m. Drum Circle, bring your own drum

Friday June 25, 7 p.m., Gin Mill Pickers, duo, eclectic mix of retro-fitted folk / rag, Americana, Piedmont Blues

Hendersonville Farmers Market

650 Maple Street, Hendersonville

Saturday June 26, 8 am-1pm, Apple Country String Band, Acoustic Americana

Hubba Smoker Hubba

2724 Greenville Road, Flat Rock

Sunday, June 27, 6 p.m., Pretty Little Goat, popular, old time, string orchestra (as part of The Feast of St. John: Celebrating Flat Rock, hosted by St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church)

Mills River Brewing Co.

336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River

Sunday June 27, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Mr Jimmy Power Trio, Chicago blues

North Henderson High School

35 Fruitland Road, Hendersonville

Thursday, June 24, 6 p.m., Canaan Cox, native of Hendo, singer, songwriter, pop, R&B, contemporary country, benefit concert for athletics and the arts, price starting at $ 10

Oklawaha Brewing Company

147 1st Avenue E. Hendersonville

Thursday June 24, 7-9 p.m., Dave Desmelik, singer, songwriter, originals, indie, roots, bluegrass

Friday June 25, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., Blake Ellege Band, top 40, dance, pop, classic rock, oldies, jazz, R&B, funk,

Saturday June 26, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., Abbey Elmore Band, modern pop, old rock, folk

Sunday June 27, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Izi Hughes, native of Hendo, singer, eclectic

Point Lookout Wineries

408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville

Friday June 25, 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., The Catalinas, beach music, fuck time, $ 30

The Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards

588 ch. Chestnut Gap, Hendersonville

Saturday June 26, 3 p.m.-6 p.m., The JackTown Ramblers, bluegrass, swing, gypsy jazz

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard

2698 C Greenville Highway, East Flat Rock

Sunday June 27, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., geriatric jukebox, husband and wife, guitar, singers, oldies and goodies

Southern Appalachian Brewery

822 Locust Street, Ste. 100, Hendersonville

Thursday June 24, 6-8 p.m., The Live Wires, blues, jazz

Friday June 25, 7-9 p.m., The Red Hot Sugar Babies, vocals and instrumental jazz from the 20’s and 30’s

Saturday June 26, 7-9 p.m., The Maggie Valley Band, two sisters and their band, Americana, old country, dark Appalachian

Sunday June 27, 4-6 p.m., Paul Schiro, crooner

South Rock Sports Grill

830 Greenville Road, Hendersonville

Saturday June 26, 8 p.m. to midnight, Twisted Trail, rock band

The 2nd Act coffee, wine and craft beer bar

101 E. Allen Street, Hendersonville

Thursday June 24, 6-9 p.m., Izzi and Eric, two of Hendo’s most notable live musicians, eclectic

The Arts and Entertainment Center

125 S. Main Street, Hendersonville

Friday June 25, 7 p.m., Russ Wilson’s Big Band Dance Party, orchestra with singer, $ 25 prepayment

The Dugout Sports Bar & Taphouse

430 N. Main St., Hendersonville

Thursday June 24, 8 p.m.-midnight, open jam with Paul Liford from Fine Line

Friday June 25, 8 p.m. to midnight, The Loudes, punk, folk, rock

Saturday June 26, 8 p.m. to midnight, The Upbeats, wellness rock, dancing

Sunday June 27, 4-7 p.m., Andrew Wakefied, singer, guitarist, folk, rock

La Serre Moto Café

4021 Haywood Road (Highway 191) Mills River

Friday June 25, 8 p.m.-midnight, 50 Year Flood, rock, soul, original

Saturday June 26, 8 p.m., Awake in the Dream, rock and original covers, ’90s Night

Sunday, June 27, 3 p.m., Tools on Stools

The Poé House

105 1st Avenue West, Hendersonville

Friday June 25, 7-10 p.m., Bill Altman, blues

Triskele brewing company

340 7th Avenue East, Hendersonville

Friday June 25, 7-10 p.m., Jason Whitaker, acoustic, singer, guitarist, rock

Saturday June 26, 2 pm-4pm, The Blue Ridge Pistols, aggressive guitar, groovy bass, punchy drums; 7-10 p.m., Fine Line, rock band

Sunday June 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Myron Hyman, lead singer, guitarist

Want to be included in “Live Music? »Email your information to Steve Wong at [email protected] by Monday 8:00 am for the upcoming Thursday-Sunday. Remember to send details about your performer as well as a good high resolution photo.