Attend a lively musical performance, go dancing at one of the many street festivals planned throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, explore regional gem mines, sample your way across a food and wine festival, or explore a new art exhibit. There’s no shortage of cool things to do here in Western North Carolina. Here’s a list of some of the best events taking place this month.

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Mining Sluice Grand Opening at the WNC Nature Center
May 7, 2016 @ 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Join the WNC Nature Center, with special guests from Colburn Earth Science Museum, soon to be Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS), to celebrate the official grand opening of a new mining sluice at the Explorers Outpost area at the Center.
1pm: Short presentation on gems and the history of gem mining in the Southern Appalachian area from the Colburn Earth Science Museum
The exciting new attraction features a 30-foot mining sluice and water tower, offering gem mining for a small fee as well as free opportunities for play with water. This is the latest addition to Explorers Outpost, where Captain Dave’s Pirate Dawgs and Gift Shop are also located. Guests may purchase bags of roughage from Captain Daves Gift Shop for use in the mining sluice.
Admission to the grand opening event is included with regular Nature Center admission. Members receive free admission!