Marla Hardee Milling

WNC Parent contributor

It may seem like summer break will never end when it comes to being able to afford family fun. The good news is that even though your budget may be at a breaking point, there’s an abundance of outdoor fun, festivals, and special events to enjoy without spending a dime. We’ve combed our area for a great list of summer freebies in the WNC region.

Head outdoors

1. The Blue Ridge Parkway is ripe with free adventures. Who cares if you have a WiFi signal when there are so many incredible places to explore outdoors in our region? Some popular hiking spots to consider: Craggy Pinnacle, Devil’s Courthouse, Mount Pisgah and Graveyard Fields. You can download a free Parkway Travel app at www.blueridgeparkway.org.

2. Visit the waterfalls at DuPont State Recreational Forest. This 10,400-acre forest is located between Hendersonville and Brevard and offers a popular area for families to hike, picnic, and enjoy the scenery. Triple Falls and Hooker Falls are popular destinations there. Visit www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts/dsf.htm

3. Sliding Rock isn’t free, but it’s only a nominal $2 fee per person to visit and it’s a cool way to beat the summer heat. It’s a 60-foot natural water slide that ends in an eight-foot pool of water. For directions and other info visit http://1.usa.gov/231f3XZ.

4. Botanical Gardens at Asheville offer free admission, free parking and a mild walking trail that leads to a cabin that once stood in the California Creek section of Madison County. Take a bathing suit and play in the creek or put a blanket out on the rocks and soak in the serenity of nature. Visit www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

5. Spend some time at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest. Among the activities: viewing and feeding trout at the Pisgah Fish Hatchery. Free admission. Visit http://bit.ly/2603eI9.

Listen to live music

6. The Homegrown Concert Series, presented by 98.1 The River, takes place from 2-4 p.m. each Sunday through Aug. 28. Enjoy the sounds of some of Asheville’s finest musicians including Aaron Lafalce on July 10, Pierce Edens on Aug. 14, and Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats on Aug. 28. The concerts are held at the Asheville Food Park. Check out the entire lineup at: 981theriver.com/2016/05/24/homegrown-concert-series/

7. Hendersonville offers its Rhythm & Brews 2016 Concert Series each month through September. Local singer songwriters perform at 5 and 6 p.m. with headliners taking the stage from 7 to 9 p.m. The next shows take place on July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15 on Main Street. Details at www.downtownhendersonville.org/rb-2015.

8. Along about sundown on summer Saturday evenings you can experience what many have been experiencing for years in downtown Asheville. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Shindig on the Green. This free event in Pack Square Park features fiddle players, square dancers, ballad singers, old-time bands, and much more. Visit www.folkheritage.org.

9. Take a drum and join the rhythm at the Friday night Drum Circle at Pritchard Park. You’ll also see people dancing, hula hooping, and enjoying the moment.

10. Don’t miss the remaining three concerts of Downtown After Five. Staged on Lexington Avenue, the July 15 show features Anderson East, Aug. 19 features the Asheville All-Stars, and Cracker will perform Sept. 16. Visit www.ashevilledowntown.org/2016-downtown-after-5-lineup-announced.

Free events and attractions

11. Hi-Wire Brewing Big Top offers a Summer of Bill Murray Outdoor Movie Series featuring “Caddyshack” on July 23, “Groundhog Day” on Aug. 20 and “Life Aquatic” on Sept. 17. The free movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Visit http://bit.ly/1W4pUkn.

12. Catch a Tourists game. It’s possible to watch the Asheville Tourists for free when you attend a Goodwill night on July 20, Aug. 17 and 31. All you have to do is donate three pieces of clothing and you’ll receive free admission. There are also a couple of BOGO ticket days. Present your Ingles Advantage card to buy one, get one general admission ticket free on July 26, Aug. 16 and 30. Visit http://atmilb.com/1nLyS1T.

13. Witness guild artists in action at the Folk Art Center’s Wood Day on Aug. 6. Carving, turning, coopering and whittling are among the techniques they will demonstrate at this free event in the Folk Art Center Auditorium. Visit www.southernhighlandguild.org/wood-day/

14. Visit Biltmore Estate. Kids ages 16 and under are admitted free to George Vanderbilt’s home and gardens through Sept. 5 with a paying adult. Up to two kids admitted free with each adult ticket. Visit http://bit.ly/268sSXR.

15. The Cradle of Forestry Historic Site in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard offers free admission for everyone on Tuesdays. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Find details at www.cradleofforestry.com.

Go to a festival

16. Head to Saluda on July 9 for the 53rd Annual Coon Dog Day Festival. It runs from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. and features live music, a parade, crafts, street dance, and more. Visit www.saluda.com/events_coondog.php.

17. Folkmoot USA brings dancers from around the world to Waynesville and venues around WNC. There are several ways to enjoy Folkmoot for free. The Parade of Nations on Main Street in Waynesville takes place from noon-5 p.m. July 23, and International Festival Day in Waynesville from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30. Check out the entire schedule at www.folkmoot.org/schedule-of-events/

18. There’s much to experience when you go to the second-annual LEAF Downtown AVL in Pack Square Park on July 30-31. Listen to a range of soul, funk, R & B and world music. Enjoy the offerings of culinary and arts vendors, and celebrate being part of a diverse community. Check out www.theleaf.org/downtown.

19. The nation’s longest running folk festival takes to the stage at the Diana Wortham Center on Aug. 4-6. The Mountain Dance & Folk Festival, now in its 89th year, features the best in traditional mountain music and dance. Visit www.folkheritage.org/75thannua.htm.

20. The 39th Annual Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain on Aug. 13-14 focuses on the bees and the favorite sourwood honey. The free event includes honey and bee demos, as well as live music, face painting, arts and crafts, food, and an alcohol-free environment. Visit www.sourwoodfestival.com.

Check out some crafts

21. Creativity takes center stage July 17 when The Big Crafty takes over Pack Square Park and Asheville for a free celebration of all things handmade. Look up www.thebigcrafty.com.

22. Visit studios of working artists in the River Arts District. More than 200 artists work in 22 former industrial and historical buildings in this expanding section of town. Download a map before you go by visiting www.riverartsdistrict.com.

23. You might find something you can’t live without at the Ooh La La Curiosity Market. Featuring local artists and craftspeople, this free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on some Saturdays at Asheville’s Pritchard Park: July 4 and 18, Aug. 1, 15 and 29, and Sept. 5 and 19. Visit www.oohlalacuriositymarket.com

24. You’re likely to find homemade jams and jellies, handcrafted furniture, pottery, basketry, jewelry and more when you head to Burnsville for the 60th Annual Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair. It takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the town square. Visit www.yanceychamber.com/craft-fair

25. Now in its 44th year, the Village Art & Craft Fair is slated for August 6 and 7 on the grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village. Visit http://bit.ly/24WKdkj.

Celebrate simple pleasures

26. Look to the heavens. The Lookout Observatory at UNC Asheville will hold a public stargazing event after dusk on July 8 (with weather backup date of July 9). While the event is free, registration is required to attend. Find details at http://bit.ly/28Y6bPR.

27. See how far you can spit a watermelon seed. It’s part of the fun at Watermelon Day from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the WNC Farmers Market. Along with the seed spitting contest, there will be free watermelon for everyone, plus chances to win prizes. Visit http://bit.ly/1tFcwTj.

28. Grab a pair of binoculars and see how many varieties of birds you can spot at the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. Bird walks are held the first Saturday of each month, at 8 a.m. from April to September and 9 a.m. the rest of the year. Meet at the gazebo on the south end of Beaver Lake. Visit www.emasnc.org/beaverlake.html

29. Use your imagination and create something unique for the 2016 Anything That Floats Parade, slated for Aug. 13 on the French Broad River. There are registration fees, but it’s free to watch. This is a featured event of RiverFest 2016. Visit http://bit.ly/1W4um2u.

30. Listen to stories at the Cherokee Bonfire. This free event, held each Friday and Saturday from 7-9 p.m. through Oct. 1 features Cherokee storytellers and dancers relating native myths, survival skills and history. Details at http://bit.ly/1rtQsPh.