Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

1. Bluegrass on the river at RiverMusic.

Get in the Appalachian spirit at this month's RiverMusic, put on by nonprofit RiverLink along the picturesque French Broad River. The summer music series celebrates bluegrass night on Sept. 9, complete with headliner Love Canon (on stage at 8:15 p.m.) and two local groups, Buncombe Turnpike and Tellico, opening up the night at 5:30 p.m. For this iteration of RiverMusic, the concert will take place at Carrier Park, rather than its traditional spot at the RiverLink Performance Plaza. Gates open at 5 p.m. and "the good times roll" until 10 p.m. RiverMusic is free to attend, with beer and food available to purchase from local vendors.

2. Opening weekend at the Mountain State Fair.

Because where else can you get a burger on a doughnut bun? Aside from fair food, the fair has plenty planned as far as amusements go. New this year are the Moto Maniacs, with their high-flying, daredevil motorcycle acrobatics and, on the tamer side, an expanded mountain heritage circle, putting on re-enactments of Appalachia's roots via working moonshine stills and campfire cooking demonstrations. The fair opens on Sept. 9 and runs through Sept. 18. Tickets to enter the fair cost $9 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for children 6-12, with free admission for kids 5 and younger. Ride ticket sheets contain 12 tickets and are $15 per sheet. For more information or special discount information, click here.

3. Goombay Festival celebrates African-American community.

For 36 years, the YMI Cultural Center has brought Goombay Festival to the mountains for a celebration of music, dance, food, art and community. This year, celebrated from Sept. 9-11, Goombay brings in hip-hop icon DJ Kool, along with local acts like Lyric, Free Flow, DJ Supaman, Santos, the members of the Inside/Out music workshop group and more. Sunday's lineup will feature gospel music from the Sycamore Temple Church of God in Christ, DJ Besbleve and Leslie Council, along with a special ceremony honoring local elders. The Zulu Connection stilt walkers from New Orleans will perform throughout the weekend. The festival takes place in Pack Square Park, the YMI building and in Triangle Park on The Block. The fun on Saturday begins at 10 a.m. in Triangle Park with a breakfast and presentation of The Block's history, followed by the Goombay parade thereafter. For a full schedule of festival events, visit ashevillegoombayfestival.com.

Though he's been to Asheville numerous times over the years, Andrew Bird has had some trouble playing shows in the city in recent years. First, his tour bus broke down in Kentucky in 2012, postponing his Orange Peel show. Then, when the time came to play at the Peel again just a few months later, Bird came down with bronchitis, which, for a singer, means another apologetic cancellation at the venue. "It seems like there was something working against Asheville for a while," Bird said. "Nowhere else was that happening. I really almost never cancel the show, and, (when I do), it kills me for some reason." But on Sept. 13, the artist of many genres will be back at the Orange Peel for an 8 p.m. show. Cross your fingers! Stay well, Mr. Bird. Tickets are $36 in advance at theorangepeel.net and $39 the day of the show. The show will be opened by Gabriel Kahane.

5. Get (almost) lost in Eliada's annual corn maze.

We don't know how it happened, but somehow summer is over — and, to kick off the fall season, Eliada's annual corn maze is here. Opening on Sept. 14, the 2016 corn maze at Eliada Home features a design showcasing the nonprofit's mission: "Going the Distance for Eliada Kids!" The maze, this year, is cut in the shape of an airplane, clouds and a globe, with local business sponsor MB Haynes written into the field. All proceeds from the maze go toward caring for Eliada's kids and their families, who either healing from trauma, awaiting adoption or dealing with special needs. The maze runs through Oct. 23 and is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets to the maze, including all of the extra fall-themed activities, are $10 for children aged 4-16 and $15 for adults 16 and older. Children 3 and younger are admitted for free. Eliada Home is at 49 Compton Drive in northwest Asheville, off Leicester Highway.