I know I’ve mentioned in other posts how excited I am to now officially call myself an Asheville photographer. Not only is this artistic, quirky city a beautiful place to live, it also offers so many opportunities for amazing photography. And it gives me the chance to practice one of my photographic favorites…street photography. The recent Bele Chere Festival was perfect.
Bele Chere is a music and arts street festival held in downtown Asheville the last week of July. It started in the 1970s as a way to improve business in the downtown area and has since become the largest festival in the southeast. Downtown Asheville is now a thriving center of business, restaurants, and entertainment. Sadly, the festival now hurts those established businesses because of vendors and crowds. For that reason, it could be the last year of Bele Chere unless a private sponsor takes over. The independent news blog Ashvegas.com described it best when they said, “Bele Chere grew too big, and too out of character, for Asheville.”
Because of Bele Chere’s uncertain future, I’m so happy we went for the first time this year. Opportunities for street photography??? Um…yeah. A really big yes. I will say that parts of the festival were a bit eye-opening for my young sons. And by eye-opening, I mean their eyelids were actually stretched back in a look of fear or maybe confusion at some of the women who took advantage of the “topless allowed” rule. Did I mention that we just moved here from small town Arkansas? Talk about busting the bubble they lived in. We wanted to expose them to more of the world, but never thought that “world” would be exposing themselves to us. Good golly.
But enough of that. The festival itself was amazing. It was everything a festival should be…great music, incredible shopping, greasy food and the one thing that only Asheville can do in the south – provide perfect, comfortable weather. A festival in July! Who woulda thought! Back in Arkansas where triple digits are typical now, July is spent either in the water or inside.
So here we go with a first-timer’s view of Bele Chere. And don’t worry, I held back the topless pics. My sons do look at the blog.
First up…why not wear a head-to-toe, checkered ensemble?
Or a gorilla suit…
Musicians everywhere…on stage, on the street
Colorful festival…porta potties included
Street performer
Police “adorning” the corner
And oh the street preachers. Not much to say here. Just read the signs.
Ultimate Air Dogs show
Downtown mural
Large dolphins won in children’s area
Birds-eye view of the religious “show”
Peacefully disagreeing
Another street performer
Says it best…
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